Aspen Skiing Company wins ‘innovative green business’ award

Sunday, 30 Nov, 2018 0

The Aspen Skiing Company has been recognised by Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST) for its efforts to preserve the environment in the Colorado mountains where the firm operates ski resorts, hotels and restaurants.

The Aspen Skiing Company (SkiCo) is the sixth company to be recognized by BEST for innovative programs that advance the interests of communities, businesses and travellers.

SkiCo operates four major ski areas which cover more than 5,000 acres – Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands, which are visited by more than 1.3 million visitors a year.

The company created an Environmental Affairs Department to preserve surrounding natural resources. As well as providing jobs for more than 3,400 employees, and energy-efficient housing for many, it has successfully reduced pollution and hazardous waste in the area, created programs to protect wildlife and limited business expansion into nearby national forests.

Commenting on the award, Michael Seltzer, Director of Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel said: “Aspen Skiing Company has proven that environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with healthy business growth. The company has enjoyed rising profits, reduced its risks of violating environmental laws and regulations, boosted morale among its employees and gained a reputation as the environmental leader in its industry. It is a model for other firms wanting to preserve their natural habitats and to ensure their future.”

In 1996, SkiCo developed company-wide policies to protect the environment. Since its Environmental Affairs Department was formed three years ago, the company has:

  • Created the Environmental Foundation, a nonprofit organization staffed by employees and funded by employee and company contributions and the Aspen Valley Community Foundation. The Foundation contributed over $360,000 to local environmental causes.
  • Reduced hazardous waste generation from 1,180 gallons in 1997 to 427 gallons in 2001. The company is also implementing a “zero hazardous waste policy” to completely eliminate waste from solvents and oil-based paints.
  • Reduced CO2 emissions from 45,526 tons in 1999-2000 to 36,241 in 2000-2001.
  • Protected area wildlife by building a special ski lift at Snowmass only between animal mating and nesting periods.
  • Adopted ‘green building’ methods for its restaurants, which involves extensive use of recycled materials and energy efficient structures.
  • Provided on-site employee housing, which has helped reduce heavy winter


  •  



    Most Read

    Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know

    Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham

    Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago

    Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research

    Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact

    Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference

    Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role

    Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal

    Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination

    Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness

    Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future

    Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
    TRAINING & COMPETITION
    Skip to toolbar
    Clearing CSS/JS assets' cache... Please wait until this notice disappears...
    Updating... Please wait...