A skier heads down the World Cup run at Heavenly ski resort in December.
Other sources of information on the environmental practices of ski resorts:
National Ski Areas Association
Part of this trade organization’s Web site notes efforts by ski areas to reduce their environment footprint by investing in green power, reducing idling of vehicles at resorts and other measures. It also includes a link to the industry’s “Sustainable Slopes” charter. In that document, the ski industry pledges, “We are committed to improving environmental performance in all aspects of our operations and managing our areas to allow for their continued enjoyment by future generations.”
California Ski Industry Association Green Programs
www.californiasnow.com/green_programs.asp
This Web site focuses on programs by California ski resorts to reduce their environmental impact and adapt to a changing climate. As the site says, “Global warming is a very serious threat to the world of wintersports. As the effects of global warming are expected to manifest themselves most severely at northern latitudes and higher elevations, skiers, snowboarders and all-around winter revelers face the prospect of less snowfall, a reduced snowpack and a shorter season for snow sports.”
Ski Area Citizen’s Coalition
This coalition of conservation groups publishes the annual Ski Area Environmental Report Card. The coalition describes the report card as “a non-industry, independent mechanism that gives all outdoor and mountain recreational users a way to assess the environmental performance and policies of their favorite ski areas and resorts. By making eco-friendly business choices, you can encourage the improvement of environmental business policies and practices.”