Aspen Ski Company takes charge towards climate change

Aspen Ski Company recognizes that climate change may have an effect on their ski industry. This has made them the leader in reducing their carbon footprint compared to other ski resorts.

For the past 30 years, they have seen fewer frost days, which has shortened the seasons and left them with dry spells in between. The ski season only lasts for four and a half months, which makes every snow day count.

Per Gudbrandsgard has taught skiing for the company for 43 years. He says that the opening day of the mountain is on thanksgiving. Previously there would be natural snow on the mountain on opening day, but now they have to make snow to be able to open up as usual.

Matt Hamilton is the sustainability manager for the company says that a study done by Aspen Global Warming Alliance has shown that in a hundred years Aspens climate will be similar to that of Amarillo, Texas.

The management of the company is therefore focusing on reducing their energy consumption of non-renewable sources. Five percent of the energy they use is provided by their own utilities. Additionally, 13 percent of their energy comes from renewable resources provided by the valley’s energy company. Their snowcats are run on bio-diesel and they have four stroke snowmobiles that are three times more fuel-efficient than a traditional snowmobile..

Aspen's goal is to reduce the carbon emissions by 10 percent by the year 2012, and be carbon neutral by 2020. Though it is not an easy task, the company is working across departments to reach their goals.