Sustainability at Ski Resorts | The Top Eco-Friendly Promotional Products for Ski Resorts
Skiing and snowboarding are great ways to spend time outdoors in some incredibly beautiful places. For years, ski resorts have had huge carbon footprints due to deforestation and the amount of energy, water and manpower required to operate. Ski resorts around the world are making changes with some of the top ski resort management companies working towards zero waste and zero net emissions by 2030. Approximately 200 U.S. ski areas have signed on to the National Ski Area’s Association’s Sustainable Slopes program, committing to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations. Initiatives include electric vehicles, solar energy, eliminating single-use plastics, composting, water refill stations and more.
Here’s how some of the top resorts are making sustainability a priority:
Vail Resorts: Operating 37 ski resorts across the word, Vail Resorts Epic Promise aims to achieve a zero net operating footprint by 2030, which includes zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impact on forests and habitat.
Taos Ski Valley: The only B-Corp ski resort, Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico is a leader in ski resort sustainability. By partnering with fellow B Corp Native Energy, Taos invests in projects to offset the environmental impact of Taos Air, making it 100% carbon neutral. The ski resort also uses a cutting-edge food dehydrator to reduce food waste to landfills by nearly 70%.
Wolf Creek: A leader in energy efficiency, Wolf Creek in Colorado is the world’s first solar-powered ski area and purchases 100 percent of its power from wind farms from a green energy supplier.
Copper Mountain: This Colorado resort has a goal of being 100% plastic bottle free and has invested heavily in water refill stations across the resort.
To further promote sustainability, green ski resorts are investing in eco-friendly promotional products and merchandise for their guests. These are some of the best-selling products for ski resorts:
- Reusable drinkware: What better way to promote hydration in high altitude, than using water refill-stations and eliminating single use water bottles. Reusable water bottles and travel mugs are available in a variety of materials to fit any budget.
- Reusable utensils and straw sets: California has a state-wide ban on single use straws in sit-down eateries. Stainless steel straws and bamboo or stainless reusable utensil sets are popular among conservationists and outdoor lovers. These items will also show an organization’s commitment to eliminating single-use plastic.
- Cold weather accessories: Recycled or organic cotton winter beanie hats or neck sleeves are great for keeping warm on the slopes.
- Solar powered chargers: These high value products can be used for employee incentive or recognition gifts, prizes for contests or for VIP guests. Solar chargers promote energy efficiency.
- Wood decals: Wood decals feature 25 mil sustainably sourced cherry wood. They can be cut into almost any shape. Recipients will show of your brand when they place it on a car, computer, water bottle, guitar case and more.
- Luggage Tags: With so many ski resorts in destination locations, eco-friendly luggage tags are an ideal giveaway. Choose from luggage tags made from a variety of materials such as recycled water bottles, recycled aluminum, recycled circuit board, vegan leather, corn plastic, sustainably sourced wood or recycled paperboard.
To keep up with the latest in sustainability at ski resorts, follow #sustainableslopes on Twitter.