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 | Conceptualizing A Sustainable Ski Resort: A Case Study Of Blue Mountain Resort In Ontario
For ski resorts, the goal of sustainability has been driven by a growing understanding of the impacts ski resorts have on the environment and their surrounding communities. In addition, ski resort owners and operators have an inherent self-interest and ethical responsibility as corporate citizens to pursue sustainability. This case study investigates the current understanding of what constitutes a sustainable ski resort and attempts to advance this debate by using an integrated systems approach to sustainability to study the interdependent social and physical realities of ski resorts. The sustainability of ski resorts is studied through the development and application of sustainable ski resort principles that delineate the ideal outcomes needed for a sustainable ski resort. |
| Deer Valley
Deer Valley is one of the more than 170 resorts to endorse the National Ski Area Association's (NSAA) Sustainable Slopes Environmental Charter for Ski Areas. The Environmental Charter, commonly known as Sustainable Slopes, is a collection of environmental best practices for ski area owners and operators. Deer Valley Resort's environmental practices include: (1) Participation in PacifiCorp/Utah Power's Blue Sky Program that Utah Power customers the opportunity to purchase clean, renewable wind energy; (2) Preservation of 950 acres of open space at Flagstaff Mountain; (3) Practice a Forest Service Management Plan to enhance the health of their tree stands; (4) Reseeding and Revegetation; (5) Testing of runoff water for "total suspended solids" as well as phosphates, nitrogen and three other chemicals and minerals; (6) Recycling; (7) Use lower-energy lighting to reduce energy costs and use; (8) Supports the Summit Land Conservancy - a local, non-profit land trust dedicated to protecting as much of the remaining open land in Summit County - by donations as well as offering our guests the opportunity to donate, and (9) Creation of a new snowmaking lake. |
| Green Power Gives a Lift
Alpine regions like Falls Creek, Northeastern Victoria are at significant risk of the impacts of climate change and are working hard to care for the sensitive environment in which they operate. As a smart and responsible operator, Falls Creek Ski Lifts has recognized the importance of utilizing GreenPower. Therefore, the resort's major chairlift, the Falls Express, is now powered by Green Power. |
| Improve your Environmental Performance and your Bottom Line!
This is a presentation from Canada Center for Pollution Prevention's OSRA Conference (May 22nd, 2003). Topics include: 1) Terminology & Introduction; 2) Trends and Opportunities; 3) Case Studies and Benefits Overviews; 4) Other Programs and Resources; and 5) Brainstorming Potential Projects. Embedded in the presentation on pollution reduction are data, examples of successful environmental practices in this area, and links to additional information and resources readily available on the Internet. Section 4 also includes examples from other travel and tourism industries. |
| Mt Buller: The Premium 'Green' Ski Park
The environmental measures Buller Ski Lifts P/L, owner and operator of the lift company and hospitality venues on Mt Buller, the well-known Victorian snow resort , has put in place are more than just paying attention to climate change. They involve taking a leadership role with the implementation of a comprehensive and dynamic certified ISO 14001 environmental management system. |
| Park City Mountain Resort
Park City Mountain Resort has undertaken a variety of initiatives to decrease its environmental impact and slow the process of global climate changes. These environmental initiatives are focused in several areas: climate and environment protection, renewable energy purchasing, energy reduction and outreach and education. Park City Mountain Resort is now offsetting 100% of power used from renewable energy sources. For each of the past three years the Resort has completed an in depth energy audit on its entire operation to determine where and how it can save energy. The results of these audits established our "carbon footprint" and made it clear where we can reduce our energy consumption and reduce our carbon footprint. In the past three years we have reduced our carbon footprint by over 15,000 tons. This is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of 2,492 passenger vehicles or the electricity use of 1,802 homes for one year. The Resort continues to upgrade HVAC and lighting in all facilities and is also looking to retrofit the lighting used for night skiing on PayDay run with more energy efficient lighting. |
| Ski Resorts: Enjoyment versus Environmental Responsibility: Does There Have to Be a Choice?
The case study investigates the growing opposition to ski-resort development based on environmental issues. Skiing is now cast in the same light as timber and mining and is being called the next extractive industry, rather than a socially beneficial form of recreation. The dilemma of balancing the protection of the national forests or national parks while making provision for their enjoyment is a long-standing one, which has become progressively more difficult with the continued' increase in recreation and tourist demand. Commercial skiing evolved when attitudes were quite different to those that apply today, therefore, the industry must find ways to evolve to meet the environmental needs of society. |
| Snowbird
Since its inception, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort has been committed to environmental stewardship. Snowbird's environmental achievements range from improving wildlife habitat and water quality to resort-wide recycling programs and a groundbreaking effort to clean up heavy metals contaminating the American Fork River. Snowbird's ongoing commitment to be environmentally sound and aware was noted by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) awarding Snowbird the 2007 Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence by a ski resort. |
| Stowe Named Audubon's First "Green" Ski Resort
Spruce Peak at Stowe, Stowe Mountain Resort's new base-area development has earned the Audubon Green Community Award. Members of Audubon International's Sustainable Communities Program are eligible for the award, which recognizes environmental achievement and is a milestone en route to earning rigorous designation as a Certified Audubon Sustainable Community. Spruce Peak first joined the Sustainable Communities Program in early 2006, and becomes the first ski and snowboard resort in the nation to earn the Audubon Green Community Award. |
| Sundance Resort
Sundance Resort's history of green policies back to the property's original purchase (1969) and it continues to update and implement new techniques and technologies of environmental stewardship. Sundance Resort guests can participate in their linen re-use program, saving water, energy and waste. All rooms are cleaned using non-toxic cleaning supplies, and rooms are stocked with natural and organic products and all resort departments purchase environmentally responsible products. Both visitors and lodging can participate in their resort-wide recycling program. Sundance uses hybrid vehicles on property and to promote the conservation of energy and lessening of polluting emissions, offers a carpooling incentive for ski guests. It also provides free mass transit to the resort for pass holders and Sundance Resort employees are encouraged to use the local bus service. The resort has full-time naturalists on staff who lead regularly scheduled nature hikes for guests and offer other seasonal nature programs. The resort also works to implement ongoing mitigation projects each year aimed at restoring the mountain to its natural state by working to eliminate noxious weeds on the mountain, laying erosion blankets and restoring vegetation where seasonal land use has altered the terrain. |
| Vail Mountain Resort
Each year, Vail Resorts purchases 152,000 megawatt-hours of wind credits to offset 100% of their electricity use. This decision reduces over 211 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which is the same as removing 18,000 cars from the road. Vail Resorts' commitment to environmental stewardship also encompasses other initiatives such as energy and water conservation, water quality management, waste reduction and recycling, air and visual quality, wildlife habitat management, and education and outreach. They also encourage their guests to be good stewards of the environment and respect the mountains. Vail Resorts and the National Forest Foundation, a nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, have joined in a partnership to raise money for local conservation projects that improve and enhance the White River National Forest. |
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