Ski Resorts Tackle Energy Use – Increasing Environmental Ratings
Overall Trend Shows Implementation of Energy Efficiency Retrofits Boosted Environmental Grades on Annual Ski Area Score Card for Resorts across the West
Energy retrofit projects, new efficient snowmaking equipment, increased use of biodiesel, and purchasing of energy from renewable resources have all contributed to improved environmental grades for ski resorts across the west. Ten of the 16 resorts who improved their Ski Area Environmental Scorecard grades this year demonstrated significant energy saving efforts, greening the overall industry’s performance.
Faced with increased environmental concern from the skiing public and skyrocketing energy prices, ski areas have accelerated their efforts to become more energy efficient. It’s encouraging to see improved scores and actual conservation for the environment.
The Ski Area Environmental Scorecard, published consecutively since 2000 by the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition, is the only independent review that gives skiers and snowboarders a way to assess the environmental performance of their favorite resorts. Resorts are scored on a comprehensive suite of criteria such as protection of old growth forests, alpine wildlife and water resources, along with proactive steps such as carpool programs, recycling and using green energy. More detailed descriptions can be found on-line at www.skiareacitizens.com.
The Scorecard includes a record number of ‘A’ grades this year with 18 resorts scoring top marks compared to 12 last year. Increased efforts to reduce energy consumption, install green energy technologies and reduce greenhouse gases were in large part responsible for many of the improved scores.
Still, better energy policy can’t make up for poor land use. Though the steps taken by the ski industry on energy are encouraging, expansions and real estate development continue to be major threats to mountain environments. Of the 83 resorts analyzed, 24 had scores that stayed the same or declined. Of these, 15 are planning or have recently undertaken sizable terrain expansions or real estate development into sensitive areas.
Despite their improvements on the global warming front, some ski resorts are still major contributors to the loss of wildlife habitat, the pollution of waterways and the destruction of wetlands and riparian areas. Relatively speaking, resorts like Breckenridge and Kirkwood that continue to expand and develop can’t compensate for bad land use practices by simply replacing light bulbs. Energy is an important component of improving performance, but it isn’t the only factor conscientious skiers and riders should be concerned with.
Nationally, resorts improved on average Overall, ski resorts showed improvement across the board with 53 areas receiving higher scores than last year. Increased efforts to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency were significant factors for the improved scores. Aspen Mountain and Buttermilk in Colorado and Sundance in Utah continue to rank as the highest scoring ski resorts, though they are now flanked closely by Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley in California, and Park City in Utah.
Resorts are walking the talk when it comes to reducing global warming gases. We love seeing this green trend. It’s an indicator the ski industry is taking leadership in the effort to reduce carbon emissions.
To view the full scorecard with each resort’s score and details on their environmental management practices, visit: www.skiareacitizens.com. Skiers and snowboarders can also send emails to resorts through the website, thanking resorts for their environmental stewardship or encouraging them to improve their environmental policies and management.
