2016 Sustainability Report
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2016 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT ARAPAHOE BASIN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY CONTENTS: As stewards of an exceptional mountain environment, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is committed to providing quality outdoor recreation experiences. Our staff and guests realize that Arapahoe Basin is a priceless natural ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY treasure. We strive to continually improve our environmental performance in order to provide enjoyment of Arapahoe Basin for future generations of LETTER FROM SUSTAINABILITY TEAM snow and mountain enthusiasts. RESOURCE INVENTORY GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS POLICIES & INITIATIVES PROJECTS PARTNERS HOW YOU CAN KEEP WINTER WHITE GREETINGS SNOW HUGGERS! Arapahoe Basin is truly unique. Rising over 13,000 feet on the Continental Divide, Arapahoe Basin has some of the best snow, and one of the longest ski and ride seasons, in North America. But this area is more than its iconic terrain – it’s fun, welcoming, authentic and breathtakingly beautiful. But, it’s no secret that a successful ski area relies on a stable climate to offer up the cold, snowy goods that keep generations of mountain enthusiasts happy and returning year after year. This is exactly why A-Basin s The Environment! And when we say A-Basin s The Environment, we really mean it! A-Basin has continually taken meaningful steps toward ‘greening’ our operation and reducing our environmental impact. We started with the simple things that are easy to translate to everyday life, like reducing our waste and energy consumption. We implemented waste reduction strategies that started with basic recycling and evolved into a comprehensive approach that includes composting our food waste, collecting and recycling electronics, and recycling plastic packaging. From there, we widened our focus to more ambitious projects, like an area-wide lighting retrofit, switching our aging bulbs and fixtures to CFLs and LEDs, and energy efficiency projects like our Freeaire cooler – a system designed to use cold, clean outdoor air to keep our walk-in cooler cold. Recently, we’ve begun tackling the really big projects, as evidenced by our Kids Center. The new building is full of sustainable features, from locally-sourced materials, low-flow water fixtures and dynamic heating controls, to the rooftop solar array, generating clean, renewable energy right here, on-site, at A-Basin. These past and current projects show our dedication, but we don’t stop there. We’ve also made a serious commitment to raising awareness and promoting action on behalf of our guests and community around important climate issues. We work closely with environmental organizations that work to promote sustainable living, encourage strong policy decisions, and preserve and protect the places we love. Things like this Sustainability Report and our sustainability-focused events at the mountain bring attention to the strong work we’re doing and how you can bring sustainability into your own life every day. So, the next time your travels take you to the Basin, be sure to stop and look around. Take in the amazing views of our high peaks and look down-valley into the heart of Summit County. Take a deep breath of our clean mountain air and run your hands through the needles of our healthy spruce trees. Take note of the care we’ve taken to ensure that the Basin looks and feels largely as it did when our 10th Mountain Division founders first set their eyes on our high basin in the 1940s. Take a piece of our sustainability program home with you and be a Snow Hugger with us. Remember, we all have the power to save the powder! Sustainably yours, Sha Miklas, Sr. Manager of Guest Services and Sustainability Mike Nathan, Sustainability Manager Alan Henceroth, Chief Operating Officer ARAPAHOE BASIN RESOURCE INVENTORY Every ski area relies on a variety of resources to keep the lifts turning, snowcats grooming, and hot chocolate flowing. A-Basin is continuing to track how resources are used in order to see progress and discover inefficiencies. The goal is to continue tracking utilities and analyzing that data in order to make necessary changes to existing systems. These tweaks and changes minimize impacts on the natural environment while reducing resource consumption. CUMULATIVE CARBON EMISSIONS—GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY SOURCE Electricity: Buildings 13% Electricity: Chairlifts 9% 26% Gasoline/Diesel 6% Electricity: Snowmaking 12% 35% Electricity: Water Treatment/Maintenance Shop Propane ELECTRICITY Electricity is used primarily to turn chairlifts and to power buildings. In buildings, electricity goes toward powering office and kitchen equipment, lighting, and in some cases, heating. PROPANE Propane is the main fuel source for heat in most buildings and for most cooking appliances. Although it is one of the cleanest burning fuels with limited greenhouse gas emissions, propane is still a non-renewable fossil fuel which we strive to use less of each year. DIESEL AND GASOLINE Five snowcats, five pieces of heavy equipment, four UTV’s, nine trucks and road vehicles, and six snowmobiles keep the mountain moving. Idle times are limited and regular maintenance ensures these vehicles run smoothly and use fuel as efficiently as possible. WATER: SNOWMAKING From October through December, highly efficient snowguns provide a head start to early-season skiing and help build a base that lasts long into the summer. Water diversions are closely monitored and limited to ensure healthy conditions downstream and in associated ecosystems. WASTE: TRASH, COMPOST, RECYCLING Recycling and compost receptacles are provided for guests and employees wherever they may encounter a waste bin. Signage in each food venue helps identify which items are compostable and which items are recycleable. ARAPAHOE BASIN RESOURCE INVENTORY AREA-WIDE ELECTRICITY AREA-WIDE ELECTRICITY USE—BY FUNCTION kWh kWh 4,000,000 12.0 4,000,000 3,500,000 3,500,000 10.0 Function Area Wastewater/ 3,000,000 3,000,000 Total Vehicle Shop 8.0 2,500,000 Electricity 2,500,000 Used (kWh) Snowmaking 2,000,000 6.0 2,000,000 1,500,000 Electricity 1,500,000 Lifts 4.0 Per Skier 1,000,000 Visit 1,000,000 2.0 Buildings 500,000 500,000 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 15/1614/15 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 15/1614/15 Operating Year Operating Year Notes: Snowmaking designation here also includes some non-snowmaking usage (Molly’s Magic Carpet lift, the top lift shack of Molly Hogan lift, Patrol Headquarters building, and the top lift shack for Lenawee lift) ELECTRIC USE BY FUNCTION: PERCENTAGE 14.8% Buildings 10.1% 31.7% Lifts Snowmaking 43.4% Wastewater/Vehicle Shop ARAPAHOE BASIN RESOURCE INVENTORY WATER USED FOR SNOWMAKING AREA-WIDE FUEL USE Gallons Gallons 30,000,000 70,000 25,000,000 60,000 Fuel Type 50,000 Diesel 20,000,000 40,000 15,000,000 Total Gallons 30,000 Gasoline 10,000,000 20,000 5,000,000 10,000 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 Operating Year Operating Year AREA-WIDE PROPANE USE Gallons 50,000 .16 45,000 .14 40,000 .12 35,000 .10 Total 30,000 Propane 25,000 .08 Used 20,000 .06 15,000 Propane .04 Per Skier 10,000 Visit 5,000 .02 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 Operating Year ARAPAHOE BASIN RESOURCE INVENTORY AREA-WIDE WASTE AREA-WIDE COMPOST Pounds Pounds 300,000 .8 60,000 .14 .7 .12 250,000 50,000 .6 .10 200,000 40,000 .5 Total Total Pounds .08 Compost 150,000 .4 30,000 Pounds .06 .3 100,000 20,000 Pounds .04 Pounds .2 Per Skier Per Skier 50,000 Visit 10,000 .02 Visit .1 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 Operating Year Operating Year AREA-WIDE RECYCLING WASTE STREAMS AND DIVERSION RATE Pounds Pounds 100,000 .25 300,000 455 90,000 40% 80,000 .20 250,000 35% Landfill 70,000 30% Total 200,000 60,000 .15 Recycling 25% Recycling 50,000 Pounds 150,000 20% 40,000 .10 Compost 15% 30,000 Recycling 100,000 Pounds 20,000 .05 10% Per Skier 50,000 Diversion 10,000 Visit 5% Rate 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 Operating Year Operating Year GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 2014 GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD —WASTE REDUCTION Arapahoe Basin has developed a strong and comprehensive approach to reducing its waste. Through recycling, composting, and implementing reusable dishware and cutlery— along with other efforts—A-Basin is able to keep more than a third of its waste from the landfill. By composting and recycling more than 100,000 pounds of waste each season, A-Basin has reduced its yearly greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 metric tons of CO2. 2008 NSAA SILVER EAGLE AWARD —VISUAL IMPACT Arapahoe Basin’s 400-acre Montezuma Bowl terrain was developed in the summer of 2007 with an emphasis on minimizing environmental impacts. Alternative construction methods were used and fewer than 3 acres of trees were removed. The only structures installed were the chairlift (with shacks at the top and bottom), snow fences, an avalauncher tower, trail signs, boundary posts and a bathroom with a composting toilet. In addition, the lower chairlift shack is powered by a small solar array, eliminating the need for any Arapahoe Basin’s commitment to the environment has a long history and bright future. We aim to continually electrical infrastructure.