(from the NSAA Sustainable Slopes Annual Report 2009)

In 2007-2008, Bear Creek completed construction of a semi-automated, energy efficient snowmaking system; constructed energy efficient buildings using sustainable materials; and focused on the overall energy efficiency of its physical plant.  In addition, Bear Creek finished construction of a waste water treament plant that recycles water through spray irrigation.  On smaller fronts, the resort increased recycling efforts and implemented a new HVAC and lighting control program to minimize energy use.

Bear Creek is now focusing on sustainable landscaping and agricultural practices.  It has instituted a resort-wiide composting program for food scraps and compostable paper that will be combined with compostable organic material from landscaping activities.  Compost is being used as mulch and as a base for compost tea.  The compost tea is being used as fertilizer for lawn areas, landscaped beds and vegetable gardens along with the phase-out of the use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides.  Food service preparations will also be using produce grown on the site using natural agricultural practices.

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Great news from a great resort!!

Before the start of the 2007-2008 winter season, each of Telluride's departments attended a mandatory Sustainability Orientation in which the resort's environmental history and future goals were explained.  All departments were charged with developing specific ways they couold help accomplishe the resort's #1 Company Goal:  Practice Responsible Environmental Stewardship.

These department-specific environmental tactics were recorded, shared, and their progress measured throughout the year.  Telluride was pleased with the results as each department came up with very specific, practical ways to reduce impacts on the environment.  By the end of the season over 90% of these department goals were reached.

This exercise was intended to spread the responsibility of environmental stewardship throughout all resort departments and to increase the accountability for achieving resort environmental goals.  Each department head worked with his/her employees to find unique ways they could reduce their waste, energy use, fuel consumption, and other impacts.  All department tactics as well as each departments energy consumption profile were placed on a shared company computer file to allow managers to track their progress and compare themselves with other departments.

This project resulted in the implementation of over 30 conservation measures that used existing budgets and labor to protect the envornment.
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Telluride, your #1 goal is #1 with us!!

In 2007-2008, Snowbasin increased its role in the Cooperative Weed Management Area Association as the principal private land owner cooperating in this countrywide partnership.  In Spring 2008, the Association treated an area in the Mount Ogden Invasiive Plant Management program  being coordinated jointly between the US Forest Service and Snowbasin.  The program uses chemical,  mechanical, biological, cultutral and educational techniques in an integrated program to reduce the spread of noxious weeds.  Snowbasin's objective is to eradicate non-native vegitation on its resort and ranch properties and prevent spread and new introductions from adjacent private and public lands.

In parallel, Snowbasin has fully implemented its garbage and recycling program. The resort refurbished and old garbage truck, purchased both garbage and rear-load dumpsters, and implemented a resort-wide recyling program.  By managing its own waste removal, Snowbasin has reducd cost and emissions by scheduling trips to the landfill and recycling facilities only as needed and dependent on seasonal variations in waste generation.  In addition, the resort's food and beverage department has converted ninety (90) percent of its products to compostable materials, and it now uses biodegradeable bags in recyling stations located in the lodges and on the plaza.

Mountain vegitation maintenance and a great recycling program!! Congratulations Snowbasin!!

(from the NSAA Sustainable Slopes Annual Report 2008)

Attitash/Bear Peak located in Bartlett, NH is doing their part to reduce energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a more efficient way of creating snow.

Attitash Ski Area's primary sustainable goals reported in 2008 are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from it's diesel compressors by coninuing to add more efficient fan guns.  Attitash's ultimate mission is to add more fan guns and eliminate all rental compressors.  Along with eliminating compressors, Attitash is adding a closed loop cooling system for it's Centac compressors to save 1,000 of gallons of water per minute and to reduce the energy needed to cool the compressors.

Attitash is also working on a plan to eliminate as much erosion as possible by ensuring that all areas disturbed by construction and or by natural causes are reseeded.

DANBURY, NH - Trails blanketed with packed snow wind down Ragged Mountain, flanked on either side by rows of tall, green evergreen and pine trees. From above, you can barely see the base lodge where skiers gather before and after a day on the slopes. And the tracts of land near the base of the mountain - 18 golf holes - blend into the landscape.

The new owners of Ragged Mountain Resort would like to keep it that way. Despite their plans to spend millions of dollars on revamping the golf course, renovating and expanding the resort buildings and developing hundreds of slopeside homes, they plan to work with some of the top land planners and conservationists in the country to do it in an environmentally responsible way.They also hope to become the first property in New Hampshire certified by Audubon International's Signature Program, which will guide the resort's land planners through the design and construction phase of the expansion and help them protect the mountain's wildlife, habitat and natural resources.

Gerald Jackson, one of the three principals of the company that bought the resort last year, said participating in the program is "just good business.""It's totally compatible with our vision, which is to take good care of the land and to promote biodiversity and ecosystem management and to restore whatever damage has been done in the past," Jackson said.Utah-based RMR Pacific LLC purchased Ragged Mountain in May after the previous owners narrowly avoided bankruptcy and foreclosure. The resort needed a lot of work, but Jackson and his partners had a lot of experience revamping and building ski resorts throughout the Northwest. They brought in a ski industry veteran, Bob Fries, to take over as resort president, and they sank $2 million into long overdue maintenance last summer.

As they prepared to head into the planning of the first major phase of the project - redesigning the 18-hole golf course - they decided to turn to Audubon International for guidance.The group is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society, which focuses on bird conservation, but rather is a land stewardship program that promotes sustainability. (The group is one of several that has branched off from the original Audubon Society.)Audubon International works with any type of land conservation group to protect properties of all types and sizes, including backyards, business properties, schools, golf courses and any type of land that is targeted for development.

From Alice@skinh.org

One of the most alluring attributes of New Hampshire ski areas is the beautiful environment in which they are located. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and lakes, it's logical that ski resorts want to be environmentally-friendly and encourage sustainable practices. Over the past several years many of New Hampshire's ski areas have begun to embrace and implement policies that will help to ensure these places are here for future generations to enjoy.

How you can help the environment during your visit to a Ski NH resort!
What ski areas are doing behind-the-scenes

As a guest at a NH ski resort, there are many ways you help ski areas protect and create a better environment for future skiers & snowboarders.

The two easiest are:
1) turning off your vehicle's engine when you're in the drop zone, and
2) recycling what's left from your snacks and meals

ANTI-IDLING INITIATIVES

One of the most effective ways for ski areas to help combat the rise in greenhouse gases is to reduce the amount of time stationary engines and vehicles idle by encouraging guests to participate in anti-idling initiatives. So turn off your engine when you're dropping off family, friends and equipment in the ski area drop zone! If you idle for more than 10 seconds, you're wasting energy - plus idling is against the law in NH!