Ideal Bite

Do greener winter wonderlands exist?

Submitted by idealbite on Thu, 12/21/2006 - 7:00pm.

The Bite:

Yep. If you're planning a trip somewhere up high this winter, check our list for the best, tad-bit-nipply, green resort destinations.

The Benefits:

Vote with your dollars. One-day lift tickets can cost as much as $80, so spend your hard-earned bucks at greener resorts.
Combat climate change. Experts say that global warming could lead to shorter skiing seasons, so choose slopes that are acting against the problem.
More than carbon offsets. Some resorts are taking voluntary actions like providing alternative fuel shuttles, introducing recycling programs, installing solar panels and low-energy lighting and educating resort-goers about eco-issues.

Personally Speaking:

Mind your zippers: Sara's first ski trip, at 12, was at Stowe in Vermont, where her jacket got caught on the chair lift and she was dragged back down the mountain, dangling at 25 ft. Thankfully, 1/3 of the way down the mountain, the lift operator reversed the lift and saved her chilly little butt.

Wanna Try:

Plan a trip to these green ski resorts (compiled from National Ski Area Association and Ski Area Citizens' Coalition data). Just a few highlights:

East

Stowe (VT) - built an eco-education center to increase the environmental awareness among visitors.

Midwest

Buck Hill (MN) - uses wind-based energy.
Grand Targhee (WY) - follows the LEED green building guidelines.
Lutsen (MN) - has impressive fish & wildlife habitat protection initiatives.

West

Alpine Meadows (CA) - uses 100% recycled food service and paper.
Aspen Highlands (CO) - retrofitted 80% of facilities for energy efficiency.
Aspen Mountain (CO) - hybrid and carpool vehicles park for free.
Bogus Basin Mountain (ID) - supported the Climate Stewardship Act.
Buttermilk (CO) - uses biodiesel in their snowcats.
Sierra-at-Tahoe (CA) - big points for their habitat protection program.
Sundance (UT) - recycles everything from ski poles to tyvek envelopes.
Sunshine Village (AB, Canada) - awarded a Silver Eagle Award for excellence in water conservation by the NSAA.
Mt. Bachelor (OR) - conserves water and energy by avoiding new snowmaking.
Taos (NM) - sponsors commuter shuttles to the resort.
Whistler/Blackcomb (BC, Canada) - recycling and waste management programs reduce waste by more than 540 tons per year.
Wolf Creek (CO) - 100% powered by wind energy.