The prospect of climate change has several ski resorts reconsidering their use of natural resources. Last year we wrote about Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts and the steps they had taken to both minimize their consumption of non-renewable resources by installing a wind turbine as well as producing their own energy to cut down on future utility costs. Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, located in Steamboat Springs, in Colorado, has also begun to take steps toward reducing their impact. Liz Wahl, food and beverage director at the resort, was recently named Colorado “Recycler of the Year“. Last summer, “Wahl directed the successful launch of a community Zero Waste initiative focused on the reduction and ultimate elimination of waste at five large-scale, public community events. In its inaugural year, these all-volunteer events educated approximately 15,000 citizens, businesses and visitors; unified existing environmental groups and efforts; and changed attendees’ behaviors to minimize and eliminate waste.”

During the most recent ski season, “Steamboat Ski Area created the Zero Waste Initiative that focuses on composting all organic material and paper products, recycling across all F&B [food and beverage] outlets and provides reusable products. The resort teamed with the Milner landfill to create a pilot composting program for all of Routt County, and the resort continues to spread the message of waste reduction by working with local community organizations to help them adopt similar Zero Waste programs. In the inaugural year, the resort diverted more than 60% of waste from the landfill through recycling, composting and waste reduction measures.”

The resort’s sustainability measures are chronicled on their website. These include awards, recognition, and the following areas of focus for their environmental mission:

• Energy Efficiency & Renewability
• Waste Management
• Community Partnerships and Educational Outreach
• Forest Stewardship
• Environmental Granting
• Sustainable Slopes & Keep Winter Cool Programs
• Partners

Across the street from the resort, The Steamboat Grand Hotel has also taken steps to “green” their facilities. They have implemented the use of compostable cups from Fabri-Kal and Livi paper products, which incorporate recycled paper into the facial tissues and toilet paper. In addition, each floor of the hotel has a single stream (i.e. all recyclable materials go in the same receptacle) recycling bin.

The town itself has also made an effort to promote sustainable practices. In 2007, Steamboat Springs’ Chamber of Commerce created the “Sustainable Steamboat Business Program“, which “focuses on sustainability and the triple bottom line.”

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