Mont Sutton in Eastern Canada received three awards at the Quebec Ski Area Association (ASSQ) annual convention including one for environment and sustainable development.

Since its creation in 1960, Mont Sutton has become well known for its respect of the environment and concern for the preservation of nature. This Eastern Townships ski station was developed with a certain emphasis on the concept of glade skiing - a concept that has spread across the North America ski area in recent years, which restricted the cutting of trees on the hill.

In 2006, Mont Sutton made an inventory of its “green actions” undertaken over the years to keep the resort at the front of sustainable action. Following this, a code of conduct has been created, which is called Sutton’s Conscience Code. The objective of this is to add new actions to the code each year in order to reduce the ecological print and to make Sutton’s Conscience Code a reference and working tool about sustainable development.

Veronica adds “The glades concept of a thinned out forest is a great example of the innovation we need in skiing.   It provides challenge and fun for skiers, whilst maintaining forest cover.   Responsible Skiing is about balancing the needs of skiing with protection of the environment and reducing the the impacts.   This negates the need for endlessly creating more piste to attract people – you could have hours of fun in the glades where every run is different and new show conditions provide extra challenge”.