When it comes to bleak forecasts because of global climate change, the luxury sport of skiing is barely a blip on the radar. But as a high-profile industry, many resort operators take seriously their ability to help guide the public’s environmental awareness.
“We recognize to some extent that we are looked at as a very visible element in the grander discussion of climate change,” said Michael Berry of the National Ski Area Association. “You talk about winter going away, what’s the first industry to come to mind?”
To that end, NSAA adopted an Environmental Charter for Ski Areas — commonly referred to as “Sustainable Slopes” — in 2000. It outlines eco-friendly strategies the nation’s 485 ski areas can employ, suggestions ranging from recycling and land-management programs to on-mountain water and energy use, with an emphasis on renewable energy sources.
Resorts such as Aspen/Snowmass have emerged as leaders in environmental issues covered in the charter, going so far as to testify before Congress on the effects of climate change on public lands and targeting global warming in a national advertising campaign this year.
“We’ve come to the conclusion that we’ve got to fix the whole system, so that when you ski it’s not an issue,” said Auden Schendler, the Aspen Skiing Co.’s director of environmental affairs.
The message has yet to sink in with much of the ski industry, however.
Out of 485 ski areas operating in America, only 184 have endorsed the Sustainable Slopes charter. Just 63 areas endorsed NSAA’s efforts urging Congress to enact national legislation that will require aggressive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and only 61 resorts are buying renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset operational energy use.
In Colorado, fewer than half the resorts offset 100 percent of their energy use through RECs. They include Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Buttermilk, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Keystone, Snowmass, Vail Mountain and Wolf Creek. Five others — Arapahoe Basin, Powderhorn, Steamboat, Telluride and Winter Park — are at least partially powered by green energy.
“The hope is that while there’s still time to act, we can take some appropriate actions,” Berry said.
While Colorado and the skiing industry as a whole qualify as a mere sliver of the global warming pie, green is still measured in white. Getting on board with the environmental movement simply makes good business sense.
“Given that our product is the outdoors, it’s what defines us, I think we have a special obligation to do the right thing,” said Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz, who drives a hybrid. “I think everyone could always be doing more but I’m incredibly proud of our industry.”
