Vermont Ski Areas Earn National Environmental Awards

At the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Convention's Golden Eagle Awards, Vermont stood out as the only ski state to win all of the award categories for environmental excellence in which its resorts were submitted for consideration. The Excellence in Energy Conservation & Clean Energy Award went to Stratton Mountain Resort; the Excellence in Environmental Education Award went to Okemo Mountain Resort and the Excellence in Waste Reduction and Recycling Award went to Stowe Mountain Resort.

"Vermont's ski areas have a well-earned reputation as leaders in environmental efforts and initiatives, and that environmental ethic has become a familiar part of our unique brand," said Parker Riehle, president of the Vermont Ski Areas Association. "Vermont ski areas have repeatedly been recognized by the Golden Eagle Awards for our numerous environmental contributions, and we are incredibly proud to have all three submitted Vermont resorts win their respective categories of environmental excellence."

Established in 1993, the Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence recognize the environmental achievements of ski areas in the United States and Canada. Clif Bar & Company, which employs wind energy, biodiesel, waste reduction and other initiatives to reduce its own footprint on the planet, is the administrator of the awards program.

"We're pleased to be part of the ski industry's ongoing efforts to fight climate change and help save our snow" said Ricardo Balazs, sports marketing experience manager for Clif Bar & Company, which sponsored the awards. "The incredible work being done on the part of this year's applicants will hopefully inspire others to take action and protect the places where we play."

Vermont's award winners were recognized for excellence in the following areas:

Environmental Education: Okemo Mountain Resort, Vermont

Developing innovative ways to engage both guests and employees, Okemo Mountain Resort has made environmental education a central part of its operations through events like Valley Quest and ECO, an employee-run environmental committee. Whether it is preserving land or changing an incandescent bulb to a CFL bulb, Okemo Mountain embraces each environmental action as an opportunity to educate both its guests and employees. Finalists: Telluride Ski Resort (Colorado), Grand Targhee Resort (Wyoming)

Energy Conservation/Clean Energy: Stratton Mountain Resort, Vermont

Stratton has developed a broad, multi-pronged energy program that has generated a 10 percent reduction in energy use across all operations. In 2008, through a number of initiatives, including more energy efficient snowmaking, lighting retrofits, and education, Stratton reduced electricity use by 18 percent, propane consumption by 20 percent and fuel/diesel use by 19 percent-the equivalent of 3,473 tons of CO2. Finalists: Crested Butte Mountain Resort (Colorado), Seven Springs Mountain Resort (Pennsylvania)

Waste Reduction & Recycling: Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont

Stowe Mountain Resort has developed a stand-out waste reduction program by highlighting the power of food. Stowe created a composting program that delivers impressive results-enjoying an 84.5 percent diversion rate. The program works with a local farmer who turns the food waste into soil nutrient. Stowe has converted more than 102 tons of organic matter into compost and recycled 82 tons of waste. Finalists: Mt. Shasta Ski Park (California), Stevens Pass (Washington)