Skiing Green

Davos, Switzerland

Offsetting greenhouse gas emissions
As one of the biggest holiday resorts in the Alps, Davos takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. In fact, the entire municipality of Davos believes it has an obligation to reduce its contribution to global warming. The city is a founding member of the "Davos Climate Alliance," an initiative of the World Economic Forum to alleviate carbon-related risks. The resort community also partially funded a study to identify where the majority of CO2 emissions come from, and found that 75 percent comes from its heating systems and 17 percent from road traffic. With that, Davos set a goal for itself to reduce its annual carbon emissions by 15 percent by the year 2014. In order to meet its goal, Davos is focused on implementing renewable energy sources and providing information to the local population on ways they can also contribute.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Wind-powered resort
If you're looking for another reason besides beautiful surroundings to go skiing in Jackson Hole, consider going there to support the resort's 100 percent wind-powered initiative. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has purchased enough renewable energy to reduce its carbon emissions to the equivalent of taking 3,822 cars off the road, or planting 5,282 acres of fully-grown trees. Already, Jackson Hole uses wind energy to power several of its chairlifts. Last year, the resort received the highest environmental distinction when it became ISO certified as a "green company." Only three ski resorts in North America can claim this distinction for responsible management of environmental impacts -- it shares the honor for the U.S. with Aspen. Some of the resort's other efforts include cutting private vehicle usage and switching to eco-friendlier fuel in all its snow machines. In the past two years, Jackson Hole has already seen a 19 percent decrease in cars around the resort and a 30 percent increase in bus ridership. The resort offers free parking to skiers who arrive with at least three people in their vehicles.

Park City, Utah

Public transit provider
Park City is not just home to the famous Sundance Film Festival; it is also a resort where several green initiatives are underway including transportation, land use, recycling and energy use. Park City recently won two major awards for its efforts in pursuing alternative forms of energy. Currently, 20 percent of the energy used by the resort is wind-powered. The resort continues to be a leader in Utah for its recycling efforts, and supports the local community's initiative called "Recycle Utah." Park City also sponsors seminars and workshops to encourage renewable resources and green building. Additionally, Park City operates a free public transit system that is the second largest in the state and has helped reduce traffic significantly in resort areas. In the coming years, Park City's efforts will go towards implementing a green building policy as well.

Killington, Vermont

Low-emissions snowmaker
Killington Resort has one of the largest snowmaking systems in the world, which means tons of energy consumption in keeping the mountain up and running. Good thing Killington has been aware of its economic impact for a while and is already taking several steps in the right direction. The resort is in the finishing stages of a seven-year project to replace its diesel-powered snowmaking compressors with newer low-emissions machines; Killington projects that the switchover with reduce its total emissions by 50 percent by next year. The resort also supplements the water used for snowmaking with cold water from the Woodward Reservoir, which also helps reduce the amount of energy needed to cool the water in the machines. Killington also saves 30,000 gallons of fresh water a day from its recycled waste water system that operates in the restroom facilities of its six base lodges.

Squaw Valley, California

Ecology awareness-raiser
Squaw Valley resort at Lake Tahoe has taken an educational approach to its green initiatives by creating programs that raise awareness about ecology for visitors and the community. The resort won the Silver Eagle Award from the National Ski Areas Association in 2005 for outstanding environmental outreach. Some of its programs include sponsored highway cleanups, hosting eco-tours of the resorts facilities, and planned activities for Earth Day and Sustainable Slopes Day. In 2000, the Squaw Valley Ski Corporation adopted the National Ski Areas Association's Environmental Charter for sustainable slopes. The charter set environmental principles for planning and construction, operations, and education, and it outlines methods for achieving those goals. Squaw Valley's green website includes updates on the resort's environmental progress.

Sugar Bowl, California

Planning a greener future
Since the summer of 2001, Sugar Bowl began taking action by forming an Environmental Committee of management and employees who are dedicated to improving the practices of the resort and who help set goals for a greener future. In the past six years, the committee has made significant headway, most notably in its partnership with 3 Phases Energy, a company that purchases renewable energy from California wind farms. With the purchase of wind-powered energy, Sugar Bowl has made a commitment to offset 100 percent of its energy use. The resort also implemented a container reduction and recovery program to properly dispose of hazardous waste materials such as solvent, antifreeze and petroleum. In 2003, Sugar Bowl constructed on-site garbage and recycling facility to help minimize waste handling and transportation.