Sustainability in Crans Montana
At Six Senses Crans-Montana, we seek to push the boundaries of sustainability, from our approach to mindful architecture and efficient engineering, to local sourcing and unforgettable guest experiences. The sawdust pellet heating system uses recovered wood waste to produce heat, while recuperating excess heat from the kitchens, spa, and technical spaces. All our electricity needs are met by renewable Swiss hydroelectricity, in addition to our south-facing solar panels. To ensure healthy air for our guests and hosts, our MERV-13 filtration system ensures exceptional indoor air quality, and our pool filtration system is fitted with UV and active carbon filters, reducing the need for chemicals by up to 50 percent. Six Senses Crans-Montana’s Sustainability Fund, financed by 0.5 percent hotel revenue and Charlotte la Marmotte sales, supports diverse local environmental and social projects. The Earth Lab is a space of innovation, featuring fun and quirky, zero-waste workshops easily emulated back home, from upcycled candles made from used kitchen oil, to flying seed bombs used to rewild our natural habitats. As of 2025, we are GSTC group-certified and have been awarded ´Swisstainable Level III – Leading´.
Environmental Responsibility
We support grassroot projects aimed at increasing and safeguarding biodiversity in flora and fauna, through the Sustainability Fund and host-led initiatives.
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Fruit Tree Seed Bank
The region of Valais is an Eden of fruit production, thanks to abundant sunshine, water, and fertile soil. Today we enjoy a diverse selection of apples, pears, quinces, apricots, nectarines, and more. Yet, many heritage varieties, which support our local ecosystems, have been lost to time. Alongside local horticulturalist and orchardist, Nicolas Lorétan, 93 species of heritage fruits were located and underwent DNA analyses between 2023 and 2024, of which 17 were previously undescribed and have since been added to the national database, AgroScope. The next step is to propagate these varieties to continue their lineage, preserve cultural heritage, and promote genetic diversity.
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Rewilding through Pollinators
Diversity in flora and fauna is vital to the health of our ecosystem. Ski tourism in the winter, and mountain sports in the summer, can negatively impact our surrounding prairies. In efforts to support the regeneration of wildflower meadows we have installed two insect hotels and five beehives, managed by local apiculturist Thierry Crettol, to give our insect friends a head-start to do what they do best – pollinate. We further monitor the effectiveness of the hives through sensors and pollen traps, which provide data on the bee’s activity and flowers they have pollinated.
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Alpine Fun Cleans
Combining a love for nature and environmental stewardship, our team of hosts participated in a number of clean-up hikes in our surrounding forests. From cigarette butts to construction material, they have removed over 190 kilograms of trash since 2023. Our team even travelled all the way up Glacier Plaine Morte (2,927meters) on a hunt for frozen trash, twice!
Social Responsibility
The Sustainability Fund supports social projects in the region, protecting cultural heritage and upholding local knowledge. Our close ties to educational institutions create hands-on opportunities that inspire the next generation of hoteliers to embrace regenerative tourism.
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Predator and Shepherd Coexistence
The return of predators in our mountains signals a healthy ecosystem. Yet their presence encroaches on pastoral livelihoods, creating a need for balance and dialogue between conservation and shepherding. OPPAL (Organization Pour la Protection des Alpages) trains volunteers to monitor wolf movement and guard flocks at night. Since 2023, we have supported the training of 837 volunteers. During that time, there have been 82 predator – wolf and lynx – sightings, with zero fatal attacks. This allows shepherds to rest easy, knowing that a non-violent approach to wolf management is working.
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Local Food Bank
Though often a taboo topic in Switzerland, economic inequality remains a reality, even in Crans-Montana, the third wealthiest commune in Valais. Noloco Partage, a food and basic-needs bank licensed by Swiss social services, serves around 80 individuals each week with essentials such as cereals, canned goods, jackets, toothbrushes, and more. Our support helps upgrade their equipment to ensure greater autonomy and operational efficiency.
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Engaging with the next generation
Our proximity to higher-education hospitality institutions within Switzerland allows us to engage with tomorrow´s workforce on the evolving dynamics of Social & Environmental Sustainability within the industry. Since 2023, over 750 students have participated in sustainability-related discussions and electives on campus or within our resort
