Four Largest Ski Area Operators Announce Joint Commitment To Fight Climate Change

Alterra Mountain Company, Boyne Resorts, POWDR and Vail Resorts announce the Climate Collaborative Charter, the ski industry’s first unified effort to combat climate change with shared commitments around sustainability and advocacy.

All four ski industry leaders have agreed to operate their respective resorts with sustainability at the forefront and use their collective voice to advocate for effective public policy on climate action in order to leave a positive legacy for future generations of skiers, snowboarders and outdoor enthusiasts. This will translate to further implementation of sustainable practices, including elements from NSAA’s Sustainable Slopes platform, across the combined 71 North American resorts, including marquee destinations such as Steamboat, Mammoth Mountain, Deer Valley Resort, Vail Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City Mountain, Big Sky Resort, Snowbird, Mt. Bachelor and Killington.

As part of the Climate Collaborative Charter, Alterra Mountain Company, Boyne Resorts, POWDR and Vail Resorts together announce a set of commitments and pledges.

As business leaders, the resort companies commit to:

• Reduce energy use wherever possible and aggressively pursue renewable energy sources to be carbon neutral
• Climate action and advocacy for effective public policy to accelerate the shift to a renewable energy economy
• Strong efforts and goals to reduce waste
• Be responsible stewards of the environment - the land, forests, watersheds, and habitats that provide the pristine locations where we live, work and host guests
• Share best practices to accelerate change in their respective companies and communities
• Support the National Ski Areas Association’s Sustainable Slopes platform 

As stewards of the environment, the resort companies pledge to:

• Incorporate sustainability into all aspects of their owned and operated mountain resorts
• Lead by example and educate employees and guests about sustainability
• Place collaboration over competition when it comes to sustainability
• Advocate for climate protection 

“We are very proud to be a part of this historic action and to co-create the industry’s first Climate Collaborative Charter,” said David Perry, Executive VP, ESG, Alterra Mountain Company. “This is an incredible opportunity for industry leaders to engage in healthy competition while educating, sharing best practices and knowledge, and motivating each other to put our best efforts forth to help support the urgent and core issues of sustainability.”

“It is through bold environmental commitments and ongoing collaboration that we will have the most impact on protecting and preserving the great outdoors,” said Kate Wilson, senior director of sustainability at Vail Resorts. “We announced Commitment to Zero in 2017, our goal to achieve a zero net operating footprint by 2030 across all our 37 resorts, and we are proud to have already made substantial progress toward that goal. Now, through the Climate Collaborative Charter, we look forward to partnering with these passionate leaders, and the entire industry, to leverage our progress and support many others on the same journey.” 

“As part of POWDR’s Play Forever commitment to protect the environment and support our community, the importance of collaboration to drive both action and inspiration at scale is paramount,” said Laura Schaffer, POWDR Director of Corporate Responsibility. “We all must reach across the chairlift to work together, and the Climate Collaborative Charter is a phenomenal step of unity that complements on-site actions like using solar power at all of our resorts. POWDR is eager to work with Alterra Mountain Company, Boyne Resorts, Vail Resorts, NSAA and the mountain resort industry as a whole as a united front to drive necessary change.” 

“The idea for the four of us to unite in this pledge to combat climate change was actually formed at an industry conference in October of 2019 and it has endured many iterations and diligent review to get us to where we proudly are today,” said Stephen Kircher, president and chief executive officer of Boyne Resorts. “This effort brought momentum to Boyne Resorts’ progress with several environmental sustainability initiatives represented in our ForeverProject and we are excited to welcome the shared knowledge, accountability, collective voice and other benefits to come from the Climate Collaborative Charter.”  

As the four largest ski industry leaders unite to combat climate change, they also humbly and urgently ask that all mountain resorts commit to take similar action. Additionally, this coalition is working to broaden engagement and participation from its employees, guests and community members, and be inclusive of voices and perspectives from all backgrounds.

Please click here for the complete Climate Collaborative Charter.