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AWARDS

opportunities for reduction in their buildings, including new
construction, mountain operations like snowmaking, and in
other resort operations. Sugarbush upgraded all of its snow-
making guns to high-efficiency models, and installed a
variable frequency drive air compressor to better manage
its resource consumption.
Additionally, the ski area partnered with a local solar
developer to support the development of a 2.5 megawatt
solar installation; in its first year, the investment produced
over 3 million kWh of energy. Sugarbush also makes skiing
easier for its environmentally-minded guests – the ski area
installed 15 EV charging stations at Lincoln Peak. For their The Vail Resorts team poses with its Golden Eagle for Environmental Excellence,
dedication to lowering their energy emissions and investing celebrating the company’s comprehensive Commitment to Zero program.
in renewable energy, Sugarbush Resort has been named a plan of sustainability practices, including partnering with
winner of the Climate Change Impact Award. utility companies to purchase 100 percent renewable energy;
committing $25 million of capital to energy efficiency
Environmental Excellence Award projects; and widening resort composting and waste reduc-
Vail Resorts, Colorado tion programs.
In 2017, Vail Resorts launched Commitment to Zero as In its first 18 months, Vail Resorts’ Commitment to
part of its EpicPromise program, which aims to build sustain- Zero has resulted in the diversion of 7.7 million lbs. of waste,
able and connected mountain communities. Commitment 12 acres of forest restored in Colorado, and a 1.5 percent
to Zero is a pledge across Vail’s 18 mountain resorts with energy-efficiency savings toward their 2030 goal of 15 per-
the goal of achieving a zero net operating footprint by 2030. cent. For their leadership in recognizing climate change, and
This ambitious goal is to be met by implementing a broad taking action to reduce its carbon footprint across 18 diverse
resorts, Vail Resorts has been named the winner of the
Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence.

Hero of Sustainability Award
The Hilary Arens, Snowbird, Utah
Hilary Arens, Director of
value Sustainability and Water Resources
at Snowbird, has created a holistic
of sustainability program, and has

established a culture of environ-
experience. mental stewardship among resort
employees. Hilary’s accomplish-
ments in her role include: creating
the R.I.D.E. Program to encourage
carpooling; managing watershed
restoration projects; expanding
glass recycling resort-wide; remov-
ing plastic straws from F&B operations; and championing
the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.
photo credit: Landwehrle opportunities to improve access to environmentally-sound
Hilary has also catalyzed several partnerships and grant

processes, and to engage the community in sustainable prac-
tices. For her work to improve the environment of Little
Cottonwood Canyon, and her ability to create a culture
60 years and counting. of sustainability excellence at the ski area, Hilary has been

named the winner of the Hero of Sustainability Award.

24 | NSAA JOURNAL | SUMMER 2019