6 Search Results for ""golden eagle award""

• Will Mountain Riders Alliance Will Mountain Riders Alliance Save The Future Of Skiing?

  • From: ryandunfee
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    The Mountain Riders' Alliance, whose various efforts to launch their organization’s campaign for more affordable, authentic, and sustainable “Mountain Playgrounds” we’ve reported on at TetonGravity.com, has recently launched a crowd-funding campaign to raise money for administrative fees and business development funds for the general organization, as well as application fees for their Manitoba Mountain project on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.  Their campaign has raised $3,000 of its $10,000 goal with 11 days left in the campaign, and has a variety of perks available for donors.
    
    The MRA recently made headlines by partnering with Maine’s Mt. Abram, which they believe will provide a blueprint for how the organization’s Mountain Playground model will work.  The small Maine hill has a laid-back atmosphere, limited infrastructure, and has placed a priority on affordability and sustainability.  Adult weekend day tickets are only $49 — $30 cheaper than down the street at Sunday River, which is owned and operated by Boyne Resorts.  And Mt. Abram recently received the Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence in the Small Resort category for their commitment to sustainability, having implemented a low energy snowmaking system, a wood pellet boiler for their base lodge, and is anticipating construction of a one-acre solar project that would make them the first ski area in the country to produce more energy than they consume.  MRA hopes to share best practices with Mt. Abram and showcase the ski area as a living example of their working philosophy.
    
    MRA’s campaign is named “Support the Future of Skiing,” as the organization believes view the current corporate resort model – high on infrastructure, real estate, non-skiing amenities, and energy – is putting skiing out of reach for many people while creating an experience that is distant from the true ideals of snowsports and ultimately, unsustainable.  Besides the anti-corporate idealism, the Mountain Riders’ Alliance believes there is a real market for their vision both in the hardcore and casual skiing communities, but need funding help for initial legal, accounting, and security registration fees for their LLC, cash to develop their MRA membership model, and money to pay for land use and lease permit applications for their Manitoba Mountain project, which has the potential to offer access to 10,000 acres of Alaskan big-mountain skiing after the construction of three surface lifts.
    
    Skiers and snowboarders who believe in MRA’s mission are encouraged to visit the fundraiser website at www.indiegogo.com/SupportTheFutureOfSkiing. Donor levels from a $10 “Groomed” donation with a thank-you shout-out on MRA’s Twitter to a $2,500 “Bottomless” donation that will provide the donor with an unlimited lifetime season pass to all current and future Mountain Playgrounds, an MRA t-shirt ski strap, and sticker set.  The fundraiser ends on midnight, Sunday Sept. 9.
    
    For more, visit www.mountainridersalliance.com

    The site of Manatoba Mountain is shown above. Read more about the project and see more photos here.

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• Stevens Pass Mountain Resort F Stevens Pass Mountain Resort First In WA To Win National Environmental Award

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    In its 18 year history, the ski industry’s most prestigious award has never been won by a Washington resort.

    Leavenworth, WA – The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) honored Stevens Pass Mountain Resort with the 2012 Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence. Stevens Pass took top environmental honors in the mid-sized resort category (200,000 to 500,000 skier visits) for its energy conservation and greenhouse gas (GHG)reduction efforts. An Oregon resort won the award in 1994 and is the only other PNW winner.
    
    “Our company-wide focus on sustainability includes many progressive programs, and we are especially pleased to receive this national acknowledgement,” said Ross Freeman, Environment & Sustainability Manager for Stevens Pass.
    
    Energy conservation programs at Stevens Pass include simple measures such as upgraded lighting, occupancy sensors, timers, and improved operational protocols, as well as more complex projects such as a comprehensive third-party energy audit, building equipment retrofits, and solar power installations.
    
    Greenhouse gas reduction efforts include extensive food waste compost programs, tracking of fuel consumption for all vehicles and snow machinery, no-idling policies, the purchase of cleaner engines (e.g. 4-stroke snowmobiles; low-emissions snowcats and front loaders), electric vehicles, and investment in employee transit. Last year the resort completed the installation of two public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, the nation’s first to be located in a mountain pass environment, and at the time the only units located at any ski resort.
    
    Many other environmental projects are also underway, such as on-slope recycling, preferential purchasing of local food ingredients, and active surplus property/re-use procedures.
    
    “We are always looking for ways to reduce our impacts, save money through efficiency, and do the right thing for the mountain environment for years to come,” said Freeman.
    
    In addition to all its onsite GHG programs, for the past five years Stevens Pass has also chosen to offset a full 100 percent of its electricity and propane consumption through renewable energy credits and carbon offsets from non-polluting windpower. By making this investment to support clean energy for everyone, the resort has funded 21,289,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of windpower, and prevented the emission of 16,182 tons of CO2, or the equivalent of taking 2,878 cars off the road for a year.
    
    Stevens Pass believes it has a responsibility to the environment and is one of the few resorts nationwide with full time environmental staff.
    
    “We know that combating global warming is critical for the future of our entire industry, and we seek to lead resorts across the PNW by example,” said Freeman.
    
    The NSAA’s Golden Eagle award comes on the heels of another notable award from the Washington State Recycling Association, which recently named Stevens Pass as Recycler of the Year – a category won last year by the Seattle Mariners baseball team.
    Last December, Stevens Pass was thrilled to receive a national top ten ranking, and the highest score in the PNW, from the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition annual Report Card, which uses public records and extensive surveys to rank the environmental practices of Western ski resorts.

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• News: Jackson Hole Mountain Re News: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Announces Lowest Season Pass Price Ever And Other Improvements

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    July 18, 2011

    Teton Village, Wyoming - Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) announced today a reduction in the price of the Grand Pass® for the upcoming winter. This news follows the introduction of the Grand Pass® last winter which represented a 25% discount from the previous All Mountain Pass and the lowest season pass price in the recorded history of the mountain.  This year’s Adult Grand Pass offers unlimited skiing and riding for the longest season ever, a scheduled 135 days, at an August price of $1195, down from $1255 last year. The Senior Grand Pass will be offered for $815.

    The Grand Pass® offerings include attainable options for youth that provide unlimited access to the next generation of skiers and riders. The Youth Grand Pass for ages 6-14 will be $159, the Student Grand Pass for ages 15-18 will be $289, and kids under 6 ski for free. All Grand Passes® include a free START bus pass, complimentary summer tram access, discounts at JHMR restaurants, retail and rental stores, as well as complimentary JH Ski Club membership. 

    JHMR President Jerry Blann stated “In 2010, the goal of the Grand Pass was to make unlimited, all mountain access attainable to more skiers and riders than ever before. One year after its introduction we can say with confidence that the Grand Pass program has been an unmitigated success. The Grand Pass grew the number of skiers and riders who took advantage of unlimited access by more than 60% over the prior year. This year, at a price of $1195, we are further deepening the discount to make the Grand Pass an even better value proposition for more people than ever before. Furthermore, investments for the 2011-2012 season total over $4.5 million; these include the addition of the Marmot Lift which will connect South Pass Traverse with the top of the Gondola, and a redesign of the Kids Ranch facility. Both of these investments will improve traffic flow and provide a better experience for all of our guests. The excitement will also last longer this year as the mountain will be open from Thanksgiving weekend to Easter, for a total of 135 scheduled days. The combination of price reductions and tangible improvements represent a huge stride in improving access and the resort experience for our local and regional guests.”

    

    The success of the Grand Pass® has also led to changes in the Peak Packs that reflect purchase and usage patterns from last year. A review of scanning reports revealed that most locals who once purchased the 20 day pack upgraded to the Grand Pass,® and those who remained were only using an average 14 days. As a result, Peak Packs will be sold as 10 day, 15 day, and Weekend offerings to better reflect the needs of local guests. In August, the price for the 10 day pack will be $635, the 15 day pack will be $945, and the Weekend pack will be offered at $830.  For early birds, the one day sale of 10 day Packs will be held in Teton Village, Saturday, August 6th, where a limited number will be sold for $570 ($375 for seniors).

    Chip Carey, Chief Marketing Officer at JHMR explained: “The changes that we made to the Season Pass program this year closely reflect what our research told us. Our data reveals that the introduction of the Grand Pass last year resulted in the sale of more passes overall and more than twice as many people opting for unlimited access. The introduction of the 15 day Peak Pack will be a better option for previous 20 day skiers; it will save them some money and better reflect their volume of use. Still the biggest news is further price reduction to the Grand Pass, making all mountain access better value than ever before. It was also very rewarding to see the increased number of children skiing on the mountain, and has spurred us on to continue to offer outstanding value options for the region’s youth.”

    Operating in the midst of one of the worlds’ most pristine natural environments in the world, JHMR remains committed to its environmental initiatives. In recognition of this work, JHMR was honored with the Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence, which represents the highest honor of environmental achievement in the ski industry. The award came on the heels of JHMR’s 5 year anniversary of ISO 14001 registration (JHMR is one of only 2 resorts in the US to reach this benchmark).

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    Last season's winter teaser:

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• News: Jackson Hole Resort Wins News: Jackson Hole Resort Wins Coveted Golden Eagle Environmental Award

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    Teton Village, Wyoming - On Friday May 6th at the National Ski Area Association’s (NSAA) Annual Conference in Carlsbad California, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) received NSAA’s Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence for ‘Medium Size Ski Areas’ (200,000 – 500,000 visits). The award, which JHMR first received in 1995, represents the highest honor of environmental achievement in the ski industry. The award comes on the heels of JHMR’s 5 year anniversary of ISO 14001 registration (JHMR is one of 2 resorts in the US to reach this benchmark) and a very successful annual audit by KPMG which noted no non-conformities in terms of environmental performance. 

    JHMR President Jerry Blann states “We are honored to receive this recognition for our environmental work. We have invested strategically and labored intently to be the best possible stewards of our natural resources, and the Golden Eagle Award is welcome recognition of that work. Operating in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the most pristine natural environments in the world, is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. Measuring and minimizing our environmental impact is a duty that we owe to this spectacular region, as well as to our guests who come here to recreate in the midst of it. In collaboration with ISO 14001, the Brendle Group and the NSAA we have invested in the tools to significantly reduce our energy usage and greenhouse gas output, while we continue to grow our recycling initiatives, re-double our efforts to protect the threatened Whitebark Pines species, and underwrite public transportation in the region.”

    NSAA President, Michael Berry comments: “Jackson Hole has been making tangible investments in the environmental sustainability of their operation. Their program represents the kind of real-world progress, year over year, which the National Ski Area Association is proud to hold up as an example of how to run an environmentally responsible ski area in the modern era.”

    NSAA Public Policy Director, Geraldine Link adds: “Jackson Hole's environmental program is top notch and deserving of national recognition. The resort's ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System has produced five years of impressive results. Jackson Hole's commitment to environmental protection is long-standing and exemplary for companies inside and outside the ski industry.”

    2011 Highlights

    In order to meet the 10x15 goals set in 2009, JHMR set itself on a course to reduce energy, waste, water and greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2015. The following are the highlights of various departments’ environmental work completed in 2011.

    1. Food and Beverage implemented the Vendor Assessment Scoring; an internally developed score chart that helps identify food providers whose processing and delivery represents the lowest environmental impacts.

    2. Vehicle maintenance modified a Ford Excursion to run on waste vegetable oil--sourced from the dining facilities. Plans are underway to convert further vehicles.

    3. Vehicle Maintenance recycled all motor oil, as well as batteries, antifreeze, and all snowmelt from grooming equipment.

    4. Mountain facilities succeeded in reducing propane use by 20% over last year, through the implementation of ‘automation controls’ and modifications to the heating systems across the resort.

    5. JHMR invested in the protection of the threatened Whitebark Pine trees with the purchase and application of 575 Verbenone Packets and the application of Carbaryl Spray to counteract pine beetle infestation.

    6. JHMR commissioned the Brendle Group to conduct a Greenhouse Gas Inventory and establish a subsequent Management Plan to assess and minimize energy usage and greenhouse gas output.

    7. JHMR joined 7 other ski areas in the ‘National Ski Area Association’s 2011 Climate Challenge’—a leadership initiative aimed at measuring and reducing ski areas’ carbon inventory.

     

    Honored by the recognition of the Golden Eagle Award, and humbled by the opportunity to operate in the midst of one of the world’s most pristine natural environments, JHMR continues to create lifelong memories for our guests, while protecting the spectacular environment that they come to enjoy.

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• News: Grand Targhee Announces News: Grand Targhee Announces Lowest Electricity Use in a Decade

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    Alta, WY (Grand Targhee) – Grand Targhee Resort, a recipient of the Golden Eagle Award for environmental excellence, is proud to announce their lowest electricity use in a decade.  Grand Targhee Resort formed an Energy Conservation Committee in early 2010 to identify and implement energy conservation projects and partnered with Fall River Rural Electric Co-Op (FRREC) and Bonneville Power Administration to launch a guest conservation initiaitive.  By exceeding their 2010 goal of reducing electricity by 10% by 7%, the resort saved nearly $40,000 in additional electricity costs.

    “We definitely attribute a huge portion of this savings to behavior changes by both our guests and employees,” says Christina Thomure, Director of Sustainable Operations.  “Our Supervisors conducted audits within their areas of operation and corrected several smaller but meaningful electricity drains, including lights that were left on and heaters that were unnecessarily turned up high.” 

    Through education and a focus on awareness, the Resort’s employees helped to create a culture of conservation where employees reminded each other to conserve.

    “Focusing on the smaller changes really added up for us,” said Thomure.

    Other electricity conservation projects included replacing inefficient equipment, retrofitting lighting, weather-stripping leaky windows and doorways, installing motion sensors for lighting in infrequently used areas, and guest engagement programs.

    Last season, Bonneville Power Administration granted the Resort monetary assistance to implement a guest conservation initiative, now called “The Sock Program.”  The pilot program encouraged overnight guests at check-in to participate in the Guest Energy Conservation Challenge.  Guests were asked to reduce their electricity use in minor ways, including turning down the heat at night and when out of the room and turning off the lights when not in use.  In exchange for their participation, guests were given a pair of premium merino wool socks.  Monitoring equipment was installed in the rooms to compare average electricity use by those who took the pledge versus guests who did not.

    Results from the 2009-10 winter season showed that guests who participated in the conservation challenge used less electricity than other guests at the resort.  Encouraged by the results of the pilot program, the Resort has again partnered with Bonneville Power Administration and FRREC this season to implement the program on a wider-scale and for a longer period.  Starting late January, all Grand Targhee Resort slopeside lodging guests will have the option to participate in the Guest Energy Conservation Challenge and receive a free pair of Patagonia socks.  The results of the study will be presented at Bonneville Power’s annual electricity conservation conference in May.  All parties are interested in knowing to what degree education and small incentives help to encourage behavior change.  In addition, FRREC is helping with the monitoring of the project and also retrofit the Resort with new low-flow showerheads for its lodging units.

    “We are very excited to be making meaningful reductions in our use of energy and are grateful to our employees and guests for embracing a culture of conservation awareness.  We definitely have a lot more to do to become energy efficient, but all these small steps are paying off,” said Thomure.

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• Grand Targhee Launches unprece Grand Targhee Launches unprecedented $40 Lift Ticket

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    Purchase four lift tickets for $40 each, and four nights of lodging for $62.25 each.

    (Alta, WY – October 5, 2009)  In honor of the resort’s 40th Anniversary this winter, Grand Targhee has introduced 4-packs that offer a significant discount for both lift tickets and lodging through the 2009/10 winter season.

    See photos of riders sessioning a September 30th dump. These were some of the earliest turns on Targhee to date.

    
    The lift ticket 4-pack will include four full day adult lift tickets at $40 each and cost $160.  The lift tickets must be used during the 2009-10 winter season and exclude the following holiday dates: December 24, 2009 through January 3, 2010, and February 15, 2010.  The lift ticket 4-pack may be reloaded once for a total of eight available full day adult lift tickets for $320.  The lift tickets are not transferable, and the lift ticket 4-pack must be purchased by December 20, 2009.
     
    “Instead of having to keep track of a card, guests who purchase the lift ticket 4-pack will be kept on file in the Activity Center at the base of the resort, and pick up their ticket on the day they want to ski,” said Director of Marketing and Sales John Urdi.  “We anticipate this will be a popular product for the occasional skier and snowboarder looking for a great deal.”
     
    Passes may be purchased online at www.grandtarghee.com or at Habitat on Main Street in Driggs between 9 am and 5 pm on Friday and Saturday through November 21, 2009.  Processing in the Activity Center at the base of the resort will commence on the anticipated opening day of the winter season: Friday, November 27, 2009.
     
    In addition to the 40th Anniversary lift ticket 4-pack, Grand Targhee Resort will offer a lodging 4-pack with four pre-purchased lodging nights for just $249 (plus tax).  Guests who purchase the lodging 4-pack will receive the best available slopeside hotel room at Grand Targhee Resort at the time of booking (excluding Sioux 2BR units).
     
    “The lodging 4-pack offers a nightly rate for slopeside lodging of just $62.25.” said Urdi.  “Guests can save up to $206.75 per night depending on the type of room that is available when they book.”
     
    Reservations made with the 40th Anniversary 4-Pack must be made within 14 days of arrival, and guests may use the lodging all at once or over the course of the 2009-10 winter season.  The lodging 4-packs must also be purchased by December 20, 2009 through the Grand Targhee Resort Reservations Department by calling 1-800-TAR-GHEE.  Restrictions and blackout dates apply, please visit the Grand Targhee Resort online store for details.
     
    Grand Targhee Resort is a year round mountain resort situated on the western slope of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming, accessible only through Teton Valley, Idaho.   During the winter, our annual average of 500 inches of snow and lack of lift lines creates an uncrowded skier and snowboarder paradise, continually recognized for abundant snow, genuine western hospitality, scenic beauty and excellent value.  Tucked among spectacular Teton views and national forest land, Grand Targhee is also an intimate summer getaway for adventure-seekers, with miles of lift-accessed hiking, running and mountain biking trails, renowned music festivals and a variety of activities. A leader in environmental resort practices, Grand Targhee Resort was recently honored with the prestigious 2009 Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence.  For more information, please visit our website at www.grandtarghee.com.

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