« Previous Story | The Industry Report Home Page | Next Story »

Green Winds Blow Into Midwest

By J.D. O'Connor
August 21, 2006

There's a green wind a'blowing, folks, and the ski industry is harnessing its power - and the headlines - that come with it.

Crystal Mountain became the first Michigan ski area to commit to renewable wind energy, announcing today that they'll be powering the Crystal Clipper - their high-speed quad - entirely with wind power beginning this season.

Crystal is the latest in a string of resort areas to make the switch to wind power and stir media interest in American businesses willing to adopt "green" technology.

Earlier in the week, Tim and Diane Mueller, owners of Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont, Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado, and Mount Sunapee Resort, in New Hampshire, announced an agreement with Gunnison County Electric Association to purchase 27 million kilowatt hours of Renewable Energy Certificates from Sterling Planet, a move experts said would keep an estimated 18,800 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.

Vail Resorts made headlines across the country when it announced a similar program for each of its five ski resorts, several hotels, 125 retail locations and a new corporate headquarters in Broomfield, Colo., a move the Environmental Protection Agency said would keep 211 million pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere - the same as taking 18,000 cars off the road or planting more than 27,000 acres of trees.

Sugar Bowl ski resort north of Tahoe began purchasing 100 percent renewable energy this year. Aspen Ski Co. announced this spring it would buy 100 percent renewable energy for all four of its resorts. Sierra-at-Tahoe and Northstar-at-Tahoe have purchased a portion of their energy in wind power for several years.

It is estimated that approximately 30 percent of ski resorts in America buy wind power, a commitment NSAA chief Michael Berry said "spoke volumes" about the industry's commitment to conservation and alternative energy. Speaking at the MSIA convention at Crystal last week, Berry also said it was impossible to ignore the accompanying publicity each announcement has garnered.

Jim and Chris MacInnes were listening, it seems, announcing the Crystal Clipper conversion days later. They also stressed the area's long-term goal is to power the entire resort with renewable energy.

"It is one of our core values to be good stewards of the environment," said Jim MacInnes, Crystal's president and general manager.

MacInnes first became interested in wind energy nearly 30 years ago when he built a wind power generator as a senior project while studying electrical engineering at the University of California, Irvine.

In a move adopted by other areas, Crystal is also encouraging its employees and guests to join in the Resort's renewable energy efforts. They will be offering a free one-day ski lift ticket, valid anytime during the 2006/07 season, to anyone who purchases wind power for their family's residence for one year through Renewable Choice Energy.

« Previous Story | The Industry Report Home Page | Next Story »

Email To A Friend

Comments

	It's fantastic to see these resorts taking important steps toward going green and setting an example for all those involved in snowsports, from manufacturers to customers.
	Posted by: Eric Tung Fera | August 21, 2006 05:35 PM

	This is great news and great publicity. Being good stewards of our environment is of critical importance. I hope that others in the ski resort industry and like industries as well are listening and step up to the plate by following suit. I live in the New England area, and I will be supporting Tim and Diane Mueller's decision by skiing at Sunapee and Okemo this winter.
	Posted by: Cheryl Miller | August 25, 2006 11:04 AM