Written by Emma Brice
Here in the mountains, the Earth is at the core of everything we do. Through all the activities, and all the seasons, our priority is preserving and protecting the land so future generations can experience the same joy and inspiration that we all feel in the mountains.
Everyone plays a part. Whether it’s carpooling to the mountain, picking up trash in the parking lots, or composting your lunch leftovers, every little action counts. This past season, we introduced several new sustainable efforts to reduce our impact.
TerraCycle bins at Crystal
TERRA CYCLE ON-MOUNTAIN
At the beginning of the season, we introduced Terra Cycle to our dining areas. Terra Cycle started in 2001 and works to develop global solutions for recycling waste that is not typically curbside recyclable. We have Terra Cycle bins located in each of our lodges where we encourage guests to recycle their snack and candy wrappers. These wrappers are then shipped to Terra Cycle for repurposing and recycling. Thanks to the help from our guests to properly dispose of waste and the Terra Cycle program, we can save mountains of waste from landfills.
100% COMPOSTABLE TO-GO WARE
This season we continued to use 100% compostable to-go containers and introduced them to our new dining locations. If you have questions about whether an item is recyclable or compostable, please ask. Misplacing an item can contaminate the recycling and compost bins, making it unrecyclable. Every little action can make a significant difference in reducing our carbon footprint.
Boondoggle Bowls
100% VEGETARIAN DINING LOCATION
This winter we introduced our first-ever 100% vegetarian dining location- Boondoggle Bowls. The meat industry requires a massive amount of land, food, water, energy, and natural resources. While it may seem like a small action, we are doing our part to introduce fully vegetarian options to mitigate our carbon footprint.
OUR FIRST 100% ELECTRIC COACH
A big challenge we face as a ski resort is mitigating the carbon footprint created by driving to the mountain.
One of our most exciting environmental efforts this year was introducing our first 100% electric, zero-emissions coach as part of our free transportation program. This not only reduced the number of cars on the road but saved a large amount of diesel fuel and resources to access the mountain. Plus, it drops you off right in front of the base area for a convenient arrival. The electric shuttle has a 56-passenger capacity and includes Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and plenty of room to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. This is only the beginning of the road to more sustainable ways of accessing the mountain. Stay tuned for more developments next season.
As we celebrate Earth Day, take a moment to think about the ways you can help preserve our mountain environment and move towards a healthier planet for generations to come.
