Page 58 - 70843_NSAA_SummerJournal2016
P. 58
Environmental
RESORTS, HERO OF SUSTAINABILITY
WIN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
BY GERALDINE LINK, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY
SKI MAGAZINE HAS HONORED three ski areas—Soda Springs, surface, and groundwater supplies, and provide an alter-
Calif., Gore Mountain, NY, and Aspen Skiing Co., Colo.— nate and sustainable source for snowmaking. In addition, the
with the 2016 Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental snow that is made is effective water storage in the winter that
Excellence. In addition, SKI named Kristyn Lingenfelter of is released back into the ground and surface water flows as
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows in California as the Hero of the snow melts, benefitting the South Yuba River.
Sustainability honoree for 2016.
Soda Springs invested significant capital to connect to
The Golden Eagle Awards (GEAs), established in 1993, the DSPUD facilities and install the new system, and 100
are overseen in a partnership between SKI and NSAA. They percent of energy used for the new snowmaking system is
are the ski industry’s most prestigious honor for recognizing offset through the purchase of renewable energy credits.
resort environmental programs and projects. These investments will generate a great mountain product
and enhance guest experiences while conserving the region’s
“When SKI founded this program in 1993, our goal valuable potable water supply. For more information, visit
was to recognize resorts that were actively addressing http://www.skisodasprings.com/soda/mountain-info/
environmental issues, hoping to encourage other resorts Recycled%20Water%20Initiative.
to do the same and also to help publicize templates for
similar projects across the industry,” said Allen Crolius, GORE MOUNTAIN in New York took the top environmental hon-
SKI’s publisher and vice president of Active Interest Media’s ors in the medium-sized ski area category for consistent leadership
Mountain Group. “It’s gratifying to see how far the industry on environmental stewardship and enhancing the guest experi-
has come in 20 years, particularly with today’s vital focus on ence in creative ways that help both the planet and its business.
addressing climate change.”
Gore’s signature project was the signing of a 25-year solar
The resort awards are divided into three categories: energy contract for a 5.325 MW system that will offset 85
small (fewer than 200,000 annual skier/boarder visits), percent of the resort’s annual electrical budget. The first year’s
medium (200,000 to 500,000 visits) and large (more savings for the project is estimated to be $213,043, and the
than 500,000 visits). The Hero of Sustainability Award cumulative savings is projected to be $9,985,787.
is designed to honor an individual making a difference in
resort environmental performance. Gore also continued its long-term investment in
high-efficiency snowmaking, introduced service of locally
Judges for this year’s awards were Andy Hawk and produced foods, offset energy use through strategic trail
Greg Ditrinco, SKI Magazine; Tiffany Beal, International modifications, added two “recycled” trails to the map, and
Mountain Biking Association (IMBA); Judy Dorsey, Brendle made several other environmentally-friendly enhancements
Group; Don Dressler, US Forest Service; Kevin Kassekert, that guests can see, enjoy, and learn about every day.
Tesla Motors, Inc.; Chris Steinkamp, POW; and Matthew
Banks, World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Gore Mountain has demonstrated that a growing resort (its
acreage and uphill capacity have increased 131 percent and 142
SODA SPRINGS in California won the Golden Eagle Award percent respectively over the last 20 years) can be sustainable
in the small ski area category. In November of 2015, Soda and profitable, and serves as an industry model for sustainable
Springs launched the Soda Springs Recycled Water Initiative. growth. For more information about Gore Mountain’s
The ski area will lead by example in being the first resort in environmental initiatives, visit www.goremountain.com.
California to make snow using recycled water.
ASPEN SKIING CO. in Colorado won the Golden Eagle Award
This innovation is the result of a shared vision and in the large resort category for leveraging action on climate
partnership with Donner Summit Public Utility District change with key audiences and in partnership with Protect
(DSPUD). The use of recycled water will preserve potable,
56 | NSAA JOURNAL | SUMMER 2016
