Seven Ways Aspen Snowmass Is Making A Sustainable Impact
Aspen Snowmass has long been at the forefront of sustainability in the ski industry, taking action to protect the environment while continuing to offer world-class skiing experiences. With a combination of cutting-edge terrain development, impactful advocacy and long-term sustainability projects, the resort is demonstrating how ski destinations can adapt and thrive in the face of environmental challenges. By prioritising systemic change over surface-level sustainability efforts, Aspen Snowmass continues to redefine what it means to be a responsible ski resort in the modern era.
CLIMATE ADVOCACY & POLICY
Partnership with POW to combat climate change
Aspen Snowmass has been a long-standing supporter of Protect Our Winters (POW), the non-profit organisation mobilising the snowsports community to combat climate change. In 2022, the resort collaborated on the “Melted Gondola” art installation, a striking visual representation of the effects of global warming on winter sports. The initiative encouraged visitors to engage with climate advocacy and support POW’s mission through donations and social media awareness campaigns.
25 years of Aspen Skiing Company’s Sustainability Report
Aspen Snowmass’ Sustainability Report, first published in 1999, has tracked the resort’s environmental progress and policy action for over a quarter of a century. The 2024 edition, marking 25 years, takes a deeper dive into systemic climate solutions, moving beyond traditional carbon offsetting and operational efficiencies. Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Aspen One, Auden Schendler, emphasises that real progress comes from systemic change rather than minor operational tweaks. The report underscores the resort’s commitment to using influence and advocacy to drive meaningful action.
Sustainability leadership with Terrible Beauty
As Aspen Snowmass celebrates 25 years of its sustainability initiatives, Aspen One’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Auden Schendler, presents a critical perspective on corporate sustainability in his new book, Terrible Beauty: Reckoning with Climate Complicity and Rediscovering Our Soul. Released in November 2024, the book offers a candid account of how Aspen Snowmass transitioned from conventional green business practices to becoming a leader in systemic climate action. The book has already received praise from environmental leaders, further cementing Aspen Snowmass’ position as a voice in the climate movement.
SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS
Planning for the future with new terrains
Last season, Aspen Snowmass unveiled Hero’s, the most significant expansion to Aspen Mountain since 1985. Increasing the skiable terrain by over 20%, Hero’s adds more than 1,220 vertical feet and 153 acres of new chutes, glades and trails. Designed to counteract climate variability, the new north-facing, high-elevation terrain (all above 10,000 feet) is optimised for snow retention, ensuring more reliable skiing conditions even in lower snowfall years.
Green infrastructure
Significant investments have been made in sustainable infrastructure in Aspen Snowmass, highlighted by the £23 million transformation of Buttermilk’s base area in 2023, which introduced a fully electric 9,000+ square-foot skier services building to minimise energy consumption while enhancing the guest experience. Aspen Skiing Company also pioneered green building in the ski industry with one of the world's first 11 LEED-certified buildings—the Sundeck Restaurant atop Aspen Mountain—and has used electric snowmobiles across the resort since 2019, as well as solar panels to provide energy for various properties around the resort.
RENEWABLE ENERGY & CARBON REDUCTION
Award-winning coal methane-to-energy-project
In 2012, Aspen Snowmass partnered with the Elk Creek coal mine, Holy Cross Energy and Vessels Coal Gas to operate an award-winning coal methane-to-energy project to capture waste methane from a coal mine to generate carbon negative electricity. This initiative alone generated as much energy as the resort consumes annually, effectively offsetting its entire electricity use. After a decade of operations, the quality of gas available declined so electricity production was stopped, however the project continues to destroy leaking methane and prevent harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere.
ECO-FRIENDLY GUEST EXPERIENCES
Sustainable dining and local sourcing
Aspen Snowmass continues to champion local and sustainable dining. The Little Nell, Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond hotel, sources 75% of its produce from Colorado and spends over £160,000 annually on local ingredients. This commitment not only supports local farmers but also reduces the environmental impact associated with food transportation. In addition, Aspen Snowmass has made significant progress in reducing food waste by expanding composting to more locations, with the vast majority of on-mountain restaurants and the Aspen Skiing Company office participating in food composting.
