Climate change is the most important issue facing ski resorts

If you’re like us, you see the next blizzard coming every day so you can ride in the mountains and play in the fresh powder. , as the sustainability leaders of the four largest mountain resort companies in North America, always keep us hopeful.

While we’re keenly watching the weather forecast, we also look to the future and see climate change threatening the natural environment that makes outdoor adventure possible.

Climate change is the most important issue we face as business leaders and as citizens of the planet. The potential negative impacts on the forests, habitats and ecosystems in which we live and work are dramatic and are just the beginning of the problems facing us all on a global scale. This, as leaders of Alterra Mountain Company, Boyne Resorts, POWDR, and Vail Resorts, collectively representing 77 resorts, joined forces in 2019 to create the Mountain Collaborative for Climate Action (Mountain Collab), climate change.

As a mountain resort company operating in beautiful, pristine natural environments, we have a responsibility to our employees, our communities and the millions of guests who visit us each year to maintain these playgrounds. is aware of We must do everything in our power to leave a positive legacy for future generations and to operate and manage our mountain resorts with a commitment to environmental protection and conservation. We know that protecting the climate means addressing our direct impacts and protecting the ecosystems that make outdoor adventures possible.

Mountain Collab has defined three priorities to focus our actions and advocacy: Energy, Waste and Ecosystems. We focus on energy by promoting the use, development and utilization of renewable energy resources throughout our resorts and communities. We strive to reduce waste within our mountain communities by reducing, collecting, reusing, recycling and eliminating where possible. We also work to protect and conserve the natural resources on which we, our communities and the natural environment depend, by promoting the efficient use of resources and minimizing our impact on forests and habitats. increase.

To that end, we are excited to announce that we are working with the community in Summit County, Colorado to support the Bottle Loop pilot program to recycle plastic bottles back into plastic bottles here in the United States. Towards collaboration and shared goals that begin to make a real difference where we live, work and play.

Our shared commitment will reduce our direct environmental impact across North America and spur improvements in our climate impact. We also understand the power of speaking with one voice to change policies and practices that can reduce climate and environmental degradation.

Beginning in 2023, we will advocate for policies at the federal, state, and local levels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources, and establish a clean energy economy.

We also advocate policies for updating the current recycling infrastructure. And finally, we work with elected officials and community leaders to protect natural ecosystems.

It’s a rare opportunity for competitors to come together and work together for a common cause. We are proud and excited to further our work so that you can continue to enjoy the beauty of our mountains and all that they have to offer. Therefore, we need to work together to find a solution.

Niwot’s Kate Wilson is Senior Director of Sustainability at Vail Resorts.

Raj Basi of Denver is POWDR’s Vice President of Sustainability.

Jay Scambio of Lincoln, New Hampshire, is Chief Operating Officer of day area operations at Boyne Resorts.

Darcee Renn of Fremont, California is Vice President of Sustainability at Alterra Mountain Company.