We believe in using business to inspire solutions to the environmental issues we face. As a small company, we might not have a great deal of influence but that doesn't have to stop us trying.

A plea to our clients

We believe in quality and indulgence, but not at the expense of an environmental and social conscience. We provide 10 things everyone who stays with us can do to help lessen the impact of their holiday.

• 1. Buy local produce. You'll find some of the finest ingredients on earth in the shops and restaurant around you. Enjoy them.
• 2. Look after your litter. Just because it's under the snow, it doesn't disappear. Litter left on the slopes after the snowmelt takes many years to decompose.
• 3. Consider your clothing. Fortunately, there are a number of ethically sound brands producing great performing, great looking technical gear. Howies, Finestere and Patagonia take some beating.
• 4. Go placidly. The mountains are a more fragile ecosystem than you might expect. Respect areas closed off, and take care not to disturb wildlife in its natural habitat.
• 5. Leave the lifts. Have a go at ski touring, cross-country skiing or snow shoeing which are all less dependent on graded slopes and lifts, therefore reducing their environmental impact.
• 6. Equip yourself ethically. When it comes to skis, snowboards and accessories, there are several brands leading the way in methods and materials that have less environmental impact; from sustainable wood top-sheets to eco-friendly wax.
• 7. Turn it off. Think about your energy use within the chalet. The same rules apply here as at home; turn off lights, audio-visual equipment, mobile phone chargers when you don't need them.
• 8. Put it off. We've all fallen prey to the glossy new gear that marks the start of each new season. Try and think about what you really need. What will actually add to your enjoyment of the mountains?
• 9. Keep it local. Even if you're not joining us at Slow Chalets, we're sure you'll find a fantastic holiday elsewhere in this amazing playground we call the Alps. With so much on offer, there really isn't any need to venture across the Atlantic, to Japan or any of our Southern Hemisphere counterparts.
• 10. Spread the word. You don't have to get all evangelical, but the more people realise the ways they can help, the more we'll all be able to enjoy these mountains in all their current splendor.

Our plea to our partners

Any company whose operations relate to these mountains will no doubt have their own impact on the environment. Slow tries to only work with partners who take responsibility for their own actions. Where this is not possible, we're pushing them hard and looking for other partners that do.