Spruce Peak at Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont has earned the Sustainable Community Certification from Audubon International, a non-profit environmental organisation, becoming the first ski resort in the U.S. to merit this environmental achievement.

Members of Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program are eligible for certification, which recognizes dedication to the process of becoming a more sustainable community and beginning to act on a sustainability plan. The plan covers 15 focus areas, and members must choose timelines and measurable goals. Once progress is documented, members become certified.

“As the first Private Sector Track member to receive the certification, Stowe Mountain Resort has demonstrated a strong commitment to the ideals of sustainability – economic vitality, environmental protection, and social responsibility,” says Suzi Zakowski, Manager of the Sustainable Communities Program. “The strong environmental commitment is to evident employees, guests and the surrounding community.” 

“The Spruce Peak at Stowe project is the result of many years of collaborative planning and coordination with many varied interests, including all of Vermont’s major environmental organizations,” said Robert Apple, the resort’s Planning Manager.

Stowe Mountain Resort’s accomplishments include supporting local farmers and community supported agriculture in food operations resort wide and the local economy by reducing reliance on food that increases the carbon footprint of the resort by using local products whenever possible. To date, 83% of vendors provide 100% locally produced agricultural, artisanal and other similar products that are produced locally.  

Through a pair of conservation easements donated to the Vermont Land Trust and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, over 2,000 acres of wildlife habitat has been permanently protected.  Those protected lands include 10 acres of summit ski terrain on Spruce Peak that have been restored to their natural state, providing crucial habitat for the Bicknell’s Thrush, and dense forests adjacent to the base village that provide nesting sites for Peregrine falcons, and habitat for moose and black bear.

Spruce Peak’s mountain cabins have been built to the maximum 5-star rating of the EPA’s Home Energy Rating System.  Each cabin is expected to save $3,500 per year through extensive energy efficiencies. All future buildings are being designed to exceed Vermont’s stringent commercial construction energy guidelines.

The resort has seen annual improvements in the water quality of its streams and conducts quarterly monitoring of selected stream segments. Current storm water runoff from the development area is collected, stored, and reused for snowmaking. The mountain trail system is managed under management plan directed at improving the hydrologic characteristics of the trail system.

Since 2000, Stowe has installed energy efficiency improvements that are resulting in annual electrical use savings of 8,033,645 kW per year, or enough power to support 715 homes annually.

In a commitment to address transportation impacts in the Stowe Valley, Spruce Peak and Stowe Mountain Resort contributed $40,000 for the operation of the municipal public Mountain Road Trolley system which experienced a 7% increase in ridership in 2009.  The construction of a new transfer gondola between the Spruce Peak and the Mount Mansfield base area has eliminated the need for a fleet of diesel buses to shuttle skiers between the two locations and a new employee ride share program that enables employees to park in lots located at the base of the mountain if they travel with 3 or more individuals. 
 
 
Austria’s twinned ski resorts of Zell am See and Kaprun are highlighting their ongoing efforts to do more to minimise the environmental impact of their successful tourism industry.

The 'Electro Drive' traffic concept of Zell am See-Kaprun means that guests and locals alike can already recharge their electro vehicles at public service stations. Now the twin towns are planning to offer emission-free transportion hire to guests such as electro bicycles, scooters, and Segways for rent.  The resorts also promote car free days.

The Gletscherbahnen Kaprun AG lift company has made environmental protection a priority for a number of years now, especially the sensitive ecosystem of the glacier on Kitzsteinhorn.  The company was the first lift operator in Austria to fulfil the high environmental standards of the international ISO 14001 environmental management certification.

Down in the resort many other businesses have already been awarded the Austrian ecologo for their commitment to the environment. The 'Amiamo Familotel', 'Romantikhotel' and 'Pension Hubertus' have all been so recognised for acting in an ecosensitive way and at the same time meet highest standards when it comes to service and quality.

The hotels reduce waste, save water and energy and thus are able to minimize environmental harm, while at the same time they pamper their guests with local and organically farmed food. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management has awarded these three enterprises its ecoseal and the 'Pension Hubertus' has also received the EU ecolabel.