MISSION STATEMENT
The Powder Mountain Conservancy is committed to improving environmental performance in all aspects of the resorts’ operations and managing the area to allow for their continued enjoyment by future generations.
PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS
The following organizations and companies have helped guide, define, and achieve our goals.
*SUSTAINABLE SLOPES *SNOWRIDER PROJECT
*CLIF BAR *PMU
PMC ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AND GOALS
RECYCLING:
Last winter Powder Mountain guests, residents, and employees recycled over 12 TONS of trash. Our goal is to increase the total volume of recycled waste by 20% a year through 2011. Look for new recycling stations in all lodges starting winter 2008. Also starting in 2008, 100% of the used motor oil from our vehicle fleet will be used to help heat the maintenance shop and all restrooms will begin using recycled paper products.
WATER QUALITY:
Beginning 2008 the resort will begin using phosphate free soaps and cleaners in all lodges / bathrooms / and laundry facilities. This change will improve the quality of wastewater entering the system.
ELECTRICTY:
The resort is currently undergoing an audit from Rocky Mountain Power that will recommend ways to reduce consumption and increase efficiency of our power usage. In 2007 the resort started replacing burned out bulbs with T8 flourescent and CFL incandescents which use 25% less power and last up to 400% longer.
FOREST PRESERVATION AND REFORESTATION:
For years the resort has helped preserve its forests in the summer months by removing brush, excess fuel, and deadfall. This season the resort will increase it’s preservation efforts by iniating a noxious weed eradication program, specifically targeting areas infected with dyers woad and re-seeding overgrazed and eroding areas with natural grasses. In addition, a long-term reforestation plan for logged and diseased areas is currently being established.
TRANSPORTATION:
With a current fleet of 5 busses and 2 passenger vans providing free transportation to and from all local lodging and a public parking lot in the center of town all Powder Mountain employees and guests have the option of not driving up to the resort. This saves hundreds of gallons of fuel and reduces traffic on the highway. Our goal is to increase the number of passengers using the shuttle service by 15% a year through 2011.
SNOWMAKING:
Making snow even on a small scale uses millions of gallons of water and tens of thousands of kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. The average snowgun uses nearly 100 gallons of water per minute. That’s over 45,000 gallons of water per gun in an 8 hour session. Powder Mountains decision to refrain from snowmaking is two-fold. First and foremost it provides a safer, better quality experience for our guests. Second it saves more natural resources than all other conservation efforts combined.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT:
Powder Mountain encourages its staff members to be active in their community by volunteering time to local non-profit and charitable organizations. Starting summer 2008 the resort will reimburse full-time staff members for up to 5 hours of volunteer service with the organization of their choice.
The Pickup-3 initiative adopted last winter encourages employees and guests to pickup 3 pieces of litter throughout their daily activities.
PROFILE
The Powder Mountain Conservancy team is composed of participants from key areas across the resort. By taking one step at a time we are working toward reducing our impacts on the environment.
If you want to help or have any suggestions please contact us at: conservancy@powdermountain.com
