Ski charter promotes sustainability

Skiers cut through fresh powder on north-facing slopes in Pete's Bowl at Blue Sky Basin in Vail, Colorado

June 15, 2000
Web posted at: 12:43 p.m. EDT (1643 GMT)

By Environmental News Network staff

For six decades, Americans have enjoyed the high-altitude views, athletic thrills and fresh snow provided by downhill ski resorts in alpine ecosystems. As conservation assumes a larger role in all areas of the environment, the ski industry has jumped on the bandwagon to create a charter that encourages ski resorts to practice environmental stewardship.

"The ski business would be tough to take on unless you harbor a deep love of natural surroundings," said Jerry Blann, chairman of the National Ski Area Association's environmental committee and president of Jackson Hole Resort in Wyoming.

Blann cited the preamble to the new charter, which reads: "A strong environmental ethic underlies our operations, makes us stewards of the natural surroundings, and is the basis for our commitment to constant improvement in environmental conditions."

Another part of the preamble calls attention to global warming and the need for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. It states: "Given the ski industry's dependence on weather, climate changes that produce weather patterns of warmer temperatures or decreased snowfall could significantly impact the industry. Accordingly, the industry is committed to better understanding the actual and potential impacts of climate change, reducing its own, albeit limited, emission of greenhouse gases, and educating its customers and other stakeholders about this issue."

Trees were cut in the White River National Forest to expand ski lifts in Vail, Colorado

The 24-page charter is divided into three sections: planning, design and construction; operations; and education and outreach. Each section lists principles and recommendations for achieving those principles.

Planning, design and construction. The charter recommends that ski resorts consider public input in planning, locating and designing trails and facilities in a manner that respects natural surroundings and spares natural resources. It emphasizes water and energy efficiency as well as clean energy in designing new facilities and upgrading existing ones. It also recommends high-density development to reduce sprawl and the impact of automobile traffic.

Operations. This section is the most thorough, outlining environmental principles for water resource use; energy conservation and use; waste management; fish and wildlife conservation; management of forests, wetlands and riparian areas; air quality; visual quality and transportation.

The charter recommends that ski resorts reduce energy use in all operations, use clean or renewable energy and meet energy standards in new or retrofit projects.

Waste management is a daily operation for ski resorts, and the charter suggests that all ski areas reduce the amount of waste they produce and minimize the use of hazardous waste.

Education and outreach. The charter recommends that ski resorts use their surroundings as a forum for environmental education.

The charter also contains an Environmental Code of the Slopes for skiers and snowboarders.

Copyright 2000, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved

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