2018 Sustainability Report ARAPAHOE BASIN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY 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 treasure. We strive to continually improve our environmental performance in order to provide enjoyment of Arapahoe Basin for future generations of Contents: snow and mountain enthusiasts. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY LETTER FROM SUSTAINABILITY TEAM RESOURCE INVENTORY GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS POLICIES & INITIATIVES PROJECTS RENEWABLE ENERGY THE BEAVERS PARTNERS POWER TO SAVE THE POWDER Greetings, Snow Huggers! Welcome to Arapahoe Basin’s yearly sustainability report. The 2018 report overviews a number of the best parts of A-Basin’s sustainability program—hitting the highlights rather than detailing every single one of the projects, programs and people. It is designed to provide a glimpse into all aspects of the ski area’s efforts to reduce environmental impacts annually, and to shed light on the whys behind A-Basin’s sustainability program. Reducing the impacts of running the ski area is undoubtedly a good thing. But we also ask ourselves this: How good are our efforts, alone, if our staff and guests continue to fill landfills, waste energy and clog roadways with cars and emissions? How much “power to save the powder” do we actually wield if it’s only wielded by a few? These questions get to the core of A-Basin’s sustainability mantra: We ALL have the power to save the powder, and we must all exercise it together. For example, A-Basin’s on site arrays only provide a fraction of the power needed to run the ski area, however they represent a shining example of how to become less reliant on traditional fossil-based fuels for energy. While the many tons of food waste composted at A-Basin may extend the life of our landfill only a few months, if everyone who visited the mountain took our example to heart and began composting at home, landfills could cease to grow altogether, and landfill emissions would shrink drastically. Riding the bus to A-Basin may only save a few folks from the congestion and parking challenges typical of many weekend days, but when more people start riding the bus every day and carpooling whenever they can, we will all reap the benefits of less traffic fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. As you read this report, note the year-over-year decreases in things like waste sent to the landfill and energy used in our buildings. Don’t miss the marked increase in food waste composted last season, nor the steadily growing support of local non- profits and other partners. But most importantly, be sure to see this report and our sustainability program as a whole for what it truly is: a call to action. This season, as with every season, check out what A-Basin has going on, both within this report and on-site next time you visit—and don’t let our message fall on deaf ears! Join us in doing the simple things to walk lighter on the planet—even in our ski (and snowboard) boots! Thank you from the A-Basin Sustainability Team, 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 to track utilities and analyze 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. ELECTRICITY CUMULATIVE CARBON EMISSIONS—GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY SOURCE Electricity is used primarily to turn chairlifts and to power buildings. In buildings, electricity goes toward 3% 3% powering office and kitchen equipment, lighting and, in some cases, heating. Electricity PROPANE 13% Propane is the main fuel source for heat Propane in most buildings and for most cooking appliances. Although it is one of the 6% cleanest burning fuels with limited Diesel greenhouse gas emissions, propane is still a non-renewable fossil fuel which we strive to use less of each year. Gasoline DIESEL AND GASOLINE 75% Six snowcats, five pieces of heavy equipment, four UTVs, nine trucks and Solid Waste road vehicles, and seven snowmobiles keep the mountain moving. Idle times are limited and regular maintenance ensures these vehicles run smoothly and use fuel efficiently. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS PER SKIER WATER: SNOWMAKING Pounds of CO2e From October through December, 25.00 highly efficient snowguns provide a head start to early-season skiing and help build a base that lasts long into the 20.00 summer. Water diversions are closely monitored and limited to ensure healthy conditions downstream and in associated 15.00 ecosystems. Emissions WASTE: TRASH, COMPOST, 10.00 Per Skier RECYCLING Recycling and composting receptacles are provided for guests and employees 5.00 wherever they may encounter a waste bin. Signage in each food venue help 0.00 identify which items are compostable 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 and which are recyclable. Operating Year 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 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 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) ELECTRICITY USE BY FUNCTION: PERCENTAGE 11.4% Lifts Buildings 20.3% 37% Wastewater/Vehicle Shop 33.3% Snowmaking Arapahoe Basin Resource Inventory WATER USED FOR SNOWMAKING CONSUMPTIVE WATER USE Gallons Gallons 30,000,000 1,500,000 25,000,000 1,000,000 20,000,000 500,000 15,000,000 0 Total Water Gallons Use 10,000,000 -500,000 5,000,000 -1,000,000 -1,500,000 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 Operating Year Operating Year Note: Negative and small values leading up to 14-15 season were due to significant pipe infiltration during periods of ground thaw and high runoff. Repairs in 2014 helped close our water system and resulting data became representative of our true usage AREA-WIDE FUEL USE AREA-WIDE PROPANE USE Gallons Gallons 70,000 .16 50,000 .16 .14 45,000 .14 60,000 Fuel Type 40,000 .12 .12 50,000 Diesel 35,000 .10 .10 Total 30,000 Propane 40,000 Gasoline .08 25,000 .08 Used 30,000 .06 20,000 .06 Propane Fuel Use 15,000 20,000 .04 .04 Per Skier Per Skier 10,000 Visit 10,000 .02 5,000 .02 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 Operating Year Operating Year Arapahoe Basin Resource Inventory AREA-WIDE WASTE AREA-WIDE COMPOST Pounds Pounds/Skier Visit Pounds Pounds/Skier Visit 300,000 .8 80,000 .14 .7 70,000 250,000 .12 60,000 .6 .10 200,000 .5 Total 50,000 Total Pounds .08 Compost 150,000 .4 40,000 Pounds .06 .3 30,000 100,000 Pounds .04 Compost .2 Per Skier 20,000 Per Skier 50,000 Visit .1 10,000 .02 0 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 Operating Year Operating Year AREA-WIDE RECYCLING WASTE STREAMS AND DIVERSION RATE Pounds Pounds/Skier Visit Pounds Landfill Diversion Rate 180,000 .35 300,000 60% 160,000 .30 250,000 50% 140,000 .25 Landfill 120,000 200,000 40% Total .20 100,000 Compost Recycling Pounds 150,000 30% 80,000 .15 Compost 100,000 20% 60,000 .10 Recycling 40,000 Per Skier .05 50,000 10% Diversion 20,000 Rate 0 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 Operating Year Operating Year Goals and Achievements 2018 SKI MAGAZINE AND NSAA GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD—HERO OF SUSTAINABILITY–SHA MIKLAS In May 2018, Arapahoe Basin Senior Manager of Guest Services & Sustainability Sha Miklas received recognition from NSAA and SKI Magazine as Hero of Sustainability for her efforts in creating and leading the Arapahoe Basin sustainability program. Under her supervision, the program has steadily grown into one of the leading sustainability programs in the industry, equally encompassing high level capital projects as well as everyday behavioral changes among staff and guests. 2017 SUMMIT COUNTY RESOURCE WISE PROGRAM—SILVER BUSINESS Arapahoe Basin is the first and currently the only ski area in Summit County to receive the designation of silver-level business in Summit County’s Resource Wise Program.