Lakewood, CO – The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) on Friday released its 13th Sustainable Slopes Annual Report detailing the ski industry’s progress in implementing the principles of its Environmental Charter during the 2012-13 season.
Among the highlights, 115 ski areas endorsed the Climate Declaration issued this year by a coalition of leading U.S. companies called BICEP (Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy). The Climate Declaration calls upon federal policymakers to take action to address climate change, and states that addressing climate change is one of the greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century.
“Ski areas are proactive on the issue of climate change,” says NSAA president Michael Berry. “They take steps in their own operations to reduce their carbon emissions and recognize the benefits of uniting with other business interests in getting attention on this issue in Washington.”
The annual report also highlights the industry’s Climate Challenge Program, a voluntary program for resorts to inventory, target and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). In-depth results of the Climate Challenge are included in Chapter 3 of the report for the participating resorts: Alta Ski Area, Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Valley Ski Club, Boreal Mountain Resort, Canyons Resort, Copper, Giants Ridge Ski & Golf, Gorgoza Park, Grand Targhee, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Killington Resort, Jiminy Peak (Past Participant), Killington Resort, Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, Mount Hood Meadows Ski Resort, Mt. Bachelor, Park City Mountain Resort, Pico Mountain, Soda Springs, Sugarbush Resort, and Telluride Ski & Golf Resort. Overall, the participating Climate Challenge ski areas reported approximately 115,000 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) of emissions in the 2012 reporting year. By 2020, when all of the targets established by Challengers have been completed, Challengers have committed to reducing emissions by at least 38,500 MtCO2e – about 34 percent of 2012 emissions.
“These ski areas are leading by example both inside and outside the ski industry and deserve tremendous recognition,” says NSAA president, Michael Berry.
Also highlighted in the 2013 report is the Sustainable Slopes Grant Program, now in its fourth year of providing seed money to important ski area sustainability projects.
“We want to thank NSAA supplier members HKD Turbo of Massachusetts, Brendle Group based in Fort Collins, Colo., LeitWind, a division of Leitner Technologies, Colo., and California-based CLIF Bar & Co. for their longstanding support of this critical program that this year resulted in more efficient snowmaking systems, reduced energy use and watershed protection,” says Geraldine Link, NSAA public policy director.
Looking to the future, NSAA also announced in the report that its 2014 Winter Conferences in Steamboat, Colo., and Mount Snow Vt., will feature a two-day environmental education track that will cover the most pressing and current topics in the realm of sustainability. Topics will include the Economics of Sustainabiltiy, Sustainability Branding and Communication, Environmental Regulatory Compliance, the business case for Climate Change Action and Advocacy, and Efficient Snowmaking and Sustainable Operations.
NSAA also welcomed two new Partnering Organizations to the Sustainable Slopes program this year, Audubon International (AI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
“NSAA looks forward to working with AI and FSC to achieve our common goals of advancing sustainable natural resource management,” says Link.
Finally, the report highlights the latest environmental projects and programs at ski areas across the country including lighting improvements, electric vehicle use, composting, local purchasing programs, water conservation efforts, and employee and guest education as it relates to sustainability. More than 190 resorts endorse the association’s Environmental Charter, and those resorts represent about 75 percent of the ski industry’s annual skier and snowboarder visits.
The report additionally recognizes the winners of the Golden Eagle Awards for environmental excellence. This year’s winners include: Killington Resort in Vermont; Greek Peak in New York; Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude Ski Areas in Utah; and Homewood Ski Area in California.