Alterra Mountain Company Releases 2023 Impact Report
Alterra Mountain Company has released its second annual Forward Stance Impact Report, outlining its ongoing commitment to Social Responsibility. Organizing around four key pillars – People, Planet, Community, and Responsibility – the Forward Stance platform is designed to support the company’s employees, communities, and partners across its portfolio of North American mountain destinations.
“Our mission at Alterra is to shape the future of mountain adventure, and that is only possible by investing in the people and places who make what we do possible,” said Karen Sanford, Alterra Mountain Company’s Chief Legal and Social Responsibility Officer. “We believe these pillars of collaborative action will help make the power of the mountains more welcoming, sustainable, and impactful for more people from all walks of life.”
People
Since the first report in 2023, Alterra has strengthened and grown participation in the ski industry's first comprehensive slate of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for its BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA2S+, and disability communities. Targeted actions were taken to raise levels of belonging tracked in employee surveys, with scores rising by double-digits for some of the company’s most underrepresented groups. Mental Well-Being and Resilience programs were also expanded, offering more free counseling through a company-wide Employee Assistance Program for all employees.
Planet
Alterra conducted ongoing emissions auditing at its mountain resorts to reinforce and track progress on the company’s science-based 2030 Goals, which are to:
- Reduce carbon emissions in its operations by over 50%;
- Transition to 100% renewable energy; and
- Attain carbon neutrality by offsetting remaining emissions that can’t be reduced directly.
Alterra’s multi-part strategy to achieve these aggressive targets spans electrification, efficiency, renewable energy, waste diversion, and collaboration & advocacy. As part of this effort, Alterra is piloting cutting-edge carbon reduction technologies at all mountain destinations, including on- and off-road EV fleet updates, building automation systems, and onsite composting. In addition, Alterra has joined 75+ business leaders in the CERES Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) Network to advance climate advocacy and legislation.
Community
Alterra’s FY23 company-wide philanthropic giving increased to nearly $14 million across its global community. Inspired by The Paradise Paradox film, the Alterra Community Foundation expanded its scope to include a mental health focus, providing grants for stigma-breaking community film screenings and specialized psychotherapy support for our mountain first responders. Alterra’s resorts also provided childcare to 45% more employee and community recipients across its destinations in FY23.
Responsibility
New Community Guidelines & Expectations were rolled out for all guests and employees, providing clarity on safety rules and written guidance on accountability, respect, and inclusion, advancing a collective enjoyment of the mountains for all.
For more information on Forward Stance and its annual impact and progress reports, please visit www.alterramtnco.com/social-responsibility.
