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ASPEN SKIING COMPANY RELEASES 2018 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT In the style of Stan Lee

Snowmaking. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company. ASPEN SKIING COMPANY RELEASES 2018 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT In the style of Stan Lee.

 

ASPEN SKIING COMPANY RELEASES 2018 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT in the style of Stan Lee

Departing from its usual format, Aspen Skiing Company’s (ASC) twelfth Sustainability Report is a graphic novel. The report highlights Aspen’s history and details the company’s story of how sustainability became one of ASC’s principal efforts.

Photo: Aspen Skiing Company. ASPEN SKIING COMPANY RELEASES 2018 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT In the style of Stan Lee.
Photo: Aspen Skiing Company. ASPEN SKIING COMPANY RELEASES 2018 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT In the style of Stan Lee.

The report follows ASC’s founding, its journey to find a mission beyond skiing, and the impact of the 2016 election on the company’s renewed commitment to community and the environment. It concludes with ASC’s very public stance in support of tolerance and climate action, and the resulting Give a Flake campaign, which evokes Elie Wiesel’s advice that: “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.”

More benignly, in true Sustainability Report form, the 2018 version includes data on ASC’s carbon emissions and philanthropic contributions.

“Nobody reads corporate sustainability reports – they’re too boring,” says Auden Schendler, senior vice president of sustainability and one of the report authors. “We decided it’s less important to deliver every detail. Instead, we try to tell the story of our strategic and philosophical evolution, with Batman-style graphics.”

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Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season

Crested Butte Mountain Resort- Vanderlinden. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season

  • Pending U.S. Forest Service approvals, the Teocalli Lift realignment and replacement will include a new fixed-grip quad chairlift increasing uphill capacity by 50 percent.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is excited to announce plans to replace the Teocalli Lift – a 1979 Riblet fixed-grip double chairlift – for the 2019-20 winter season, pending approval by the U.S. Forest Service. If approved, the new Teocalli Lift would be upgraded to a fixed-grip quad chairlift, increasing uphill capacity by 50 percent.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Photo: Trent Bona. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Photo: Trent Bona. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season.

The proposed realignment and installation of the new lift would take place following the close of the 2018-19 winter season. Plans to realign the Teocalli Lift would shift the upper terminal closer to the top of the Red Lady Express; the lower terminal would remain in the existing location at the intersection of the Bushwacker, Gunsight Pass and Upper Conundrum trails.

The Teocalli Lift replacement would improve the on-mountain guest experience at CBMR by providing increased uphill capacity, a secondary egress to the base area from the Paradise Warming House and quick access to beginner and intermediate terrain.

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Skeetawk ski area gets funding for first ski lift

Hatcher Pass in Winter, where Skeetawk resort will be developed. Skeetawk ski area gets funding for first ski lift.

The Skeetawk ski area located in the Hatcher Pass will get funding for its first ski lift. The Skeetawk is a great area now for sledding but by Christmas next year it will have a downhill slope served by a lift.

The name Skeetawek is a phonetic spel of a Dena’ina word – Shk’ituk’t that means ‘where we slide down’ as per Louisa Branchflower, board president for Hatcher Alpine Xperience (HAX).

Amy O’Connor, the Executive Director of the non-profit group HAX in charge of building the Valley’s first downhill resort in the Mat-Su said that it will be a 1,200-foot triple chairlift with a 300+ foot of vertical drop.

Partnering with groups such as Rasmuson Foundation and the Mat-Su Health Foundation and thanks to also some private donations, HAX has got the $1.2 million it needs to purchase its first ski lift that will be put up in the next summer. The group will need $750,000 to cover installation costs.

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Whitefish Mountain Resort got 140 people evacuated from chairlift.

Whitefish - Basin Inversion. Photo: Whitefish Mountain Resort. Whitefish Mountain Resort got 140 people evacuated from chairlift.

140 people evacuated from chairlift at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Whitefish Mountain Resort Photo. The Ski Patrol Dog "Jett" found his toy - training for avalanche rescue by ski patrols. Whitefish Mountain Resort got 140 people evacuated from chairlift.
Whitefish Mountain Resort Photo. The Ski Patrol Dog “Jett” found his toy – training for avalanche rescue by ski patrols. Whitefish Mountain Resort got 140 people evacuated from chairlift.

On Saturday a Montana Ski Resort representative said that 140 people had to be evacuated from a chairlift due to a mechanical problem that made the operators to stop the lift.

It took 2 ½ hours to remove all people from Chair 5 in Whitefish Mountain Resort on Saturday. The officials decided to evacuate the passengers because it would take time to repair the chairlift. Some of the passengers were lowered from the lift with cables and harnesses. Temperatures were in the high teens and the winds were of about 10 mph (16 km/hour) at the moment.

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Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Gives $2 Million in Grants to Support Mental & Behavioral Health Programs in Mountain Resort Communities across North America

Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts and his wife Elana Amsterdam. Photo: Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts Ceo Rob Katz Gives $2 Million in Grants to Support Mental & Behavioral Health Programs in Mountain Resort Communities across North America.

Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Gives $2 Million in Grants to Support Mental & Behavioral Health Programs in Mountain Resort Communities across North America

On 13th December, Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) announced that Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, have made significant contributions totalling more than $2 million to support emotional wellness programs in nearly every mountain resort community in which Vail Resorts operates. The 30 grants were issued by the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust and will impact thousands of people seeking mental and behavioral health support across North America.

“It is our hope that these grants will help improve access to much-needed services around mental health and substance abuse and reduce the stigma and misunderstanding around these issues to encourage more people to get the help they need,” said Katz. “It is our privilege to be able to support so many outstanding organizations and meaningful programs already in place across our local communities in Colorado, Utah, Tahoe, British Columbia, Vermont and New Hampshire.”

Stowe Mountain Resort Gondola. Photo: Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts Ceo Rob Katz Gives $2 Million in Grants to Support Mental & Behavioral Health Programs in Mountain Resort Communities across North America.
Stowe Mountain Resort Gondola. Photo: Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Gives $2 Million in Grants to Support Mental & Behavioral Health Programs in Mountain Resort Communities across North America.

Katz and Amsterdam have donated nearly $100 million dollars in recent years to the family’s charitable trust and foundation and named Beth Ganz executive director of the foundation in October to facilitate community engagement, sponsor research and collaboration and to work with non-profit partners to drive towards improved mental health outcomes in mountain resort communities. Ganz joined the Katz Amsterdam Foundation after 11 years as vice president of public affairs and sustainability for Vail Resorts.

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The Ferrari Chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged.

Ski map of Passo Rolle and San Martino di Castrozza. The Ferrari Chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged.

The Ferrari chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged. – from Adige News.

Almost in record time, the Ferrari chairlift reopened yesterday, after the sabotage that risked compromising the winter season.

Two weeks ago, the San Martino Rolle spa planters, the company that owns part of the Passo’s facilities as well as the ski areas of Ces and Colverde-Rosetta, were preparing to start the ski season. A bad surprise, however, had forced them to stop one of the lifts. It was the morning of December 1, when, after a routine check, the lift maintenance personnel discovered that the rope that supports the Ferrari chairlift was sabotaged.   Two of the strands, that is, the tangles of metal wires that make up the string, were cut with a battery-operated disc wheel. Given the rarity of the tool in question, it was immediately clear that this was the work an expert hand. A few days later, another ski area lift, the Paradiso chairlift had an attempt of sabotage.

The Ferrari Chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged. Photo: Val di Fiemme. Passo Rolle. Trentino Marketing.
The Ferrari Chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged. Photo: Val di Fiemme. Passo Rolle. Trentino Marketing.

This attack left lots of anger amongst the personnel of Passo Rolle. The workers did not get discourage but this drawback but worked together non-stop with the companies and technicians charged to quickly restore the damaged plants.

Help came also from other tourist destinations. The replacement rope came from Andalo, in Trentino. Yesterday morning the Ferrari chairlift returned to work. However, this is a temporary solution: in spring the rope will have to be replaced completely.

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2018/19 Mountain Dining News and Events at Aspen Snowmass

Photo: Aspen Snowmass. 2018/19 Mountain Dining News and Events at Aspen Snowmass

2018/19 Mountain Dining News and Events at Aspen Snowmass

Aspen Snowmass on-mountain dining establishments announce 2018/19 winter news and events calendar.

Mountain Dining News

Sustainable and Local Food

Aspen Snowmass works closely with local purveyors to ensure that food at on-mountain restaurants is fresh, local and sustainably sourced. All hot-dogs, hamburgers and chili meat are sourced from local, grass-fed beef and on-mountain chicken products, including chicken fingers, come from Boulder Natural Meats. In addition, Aspen Snowmass works with other local sources such as Crystal River Meats, Mountain Primal Meats, Erin’s Acres Farm, Wild Mountain Seeds, Louis Swiss Pastry, Rock Bottom Ranch, Shining Mountains Farm, Colorado Pastured Pork and more.

Photo: Aspen Snowmass. 2018/19 Mountain Dining News and Events at Aspen Snowmass
Photo: Aspen Snowmass. 2018/19 Mountain Dining News and Events at Aspen Snowmass

Kid’s Cooler On-Mountain Lunches

This season, Aspen Snowmass is updating the Kid’s Cooler on-mountain lunches to include healthier options. Selections now include hummus, carrots, edamame, fresh fruit, yogurt and applesauce. Kid’s Cooler lunches are available at the Cliffhouse, Bumps, Elk Camp, Merry-Go-Round and Ullrhof.

A Commitment to Composting

On-mountain dining restaurants at Aspen Snowmass are committed to composting. Composting reduces dependence on fossil fuels and improves soil health which greatly decreases the need for chemical fertilizers. It also lessens waste sent to the Pitkin County Landfill, extending the landfill’s life. Aspen Snowmass has embraced composting at on-mountain restaurants, children’s ski school locations and hotels. Bumps, the Cliffhouse, Two Creeks, Elk Camp and Sam’s Smokehouse compost both the front and back of house and Lynn Britt Cabin, Ullrhof, Up 4 Pizza and the Sundeck all compost in the back of house. Within children’s ski school facilities, both the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center and the Hideout have implemented composting programs. The Little Nell, Limelight Hotel Aspen, and the Limelight Hotel Snowmass compost as well. By the end of the 2018/19 winter season, the vast majority of Aspen Snowmass’ waste will be composted.

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World’s Most Technologically-Advanced Chairlift Debuted at Big Sky Resort

Big Sky Montana photo. World’s Most Technologically-Advanced Chairlift Debuted at Big Sky Resort.

The world’s most technologically-advanced chairlift has debuted this past weekend at Big Sky Resort in Montana, USA.

On Saturday 15th, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Ramcharger 8, the first eight-seat chairlift in North America and the most technologically-advanced chairlift in the world, debuted at Big Sky Resort. “The upgrades unveiled today at Big Sky Resort mark a new age of lift technology in major zones of the mountain,” says Taylor Middleton, president and general manager of Big Sky Resort. Shedhorn 4, a new high-speed quad on the south face of the mountain, will also debut next week.

Big Sky Montana photo. World’s Most Technologically-Advanced Chairlift Debuted at Big Sky Resort.
Big Sky Montana photo. World’s Most Technologically-Advanced Chairlift Debuted at Big Sky Resort.

A HISTORY OF FIRSTS

“Doppelmayr and Boyne Resorts have been collaborating for over 40 years, and together have introduced many firsts to the ski industry,” says Stephen Kircher, president, Boyne Resorts. Boyne Resorts’ history of innovation in the ski industry includes introducing the world’s first triple and quad chairlifts and America’s first high-speed six-place chairlift. Ramcharger 8’s installation marks the fifth historic chairlift upgrade for Boyne Resorts. “We are incredibly proud to bring the first eight-seat chairlift to North America, setting a new standard for lift technology in the world,” says Kircher.

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Cresta Run: Women allowed to race iconic track in Switzerland

Cresta Run: Women allowed to race iconic track in Switzerland

The Cresta Run is allowing women to race this iconic track in Switzerland.

News from the BBC. 

After an 89-year ban was overturned, women will be allowed to race down the iconic Cresta Run toboggan track in Switzerland this season.

Women had been allowed to race with men on equal terms until the 1920s when it was deemed medically dangerous, due to be able to provoke breast cancer amongst other things, for the pressure of riding face down.

However at a St Moritz Tobogganing Club meeting members voted by a two-thirds majority to allow women to ride the Cresta Run again and become members.

Cresta Run: Women allowed to race iconic track in Switzerland
Cresta Run: Women allowed to race iconic track in Switzerland

“It’s a good step forward,” GB skeleton racer Jerry Rice told BBC Sport.

“They are moving forward and I agree that it’s time for the women to be able to slide like the men. I look forward to seeing women on the run.”

The St Moritz Tobogganing Club was founded by British Military officers in 1887.

Rice worked at the world’s oldest natural ice run for two seasons and reckons he has hurled himself down the 1,325-yard track up to 200 times.

“I got into Cresta through my dad, who was a member and had been for a number of years,” he said.

“I worked two full seasons and I’ve probably done between 150-200 runs.

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Vermont Lift Ticket Prices Up 6%-Read it Here.

Stratton Mountain- Vermont- Alterra Mountain Company Announces $181 Million in Capital Improvements for the 2019/2020 Winter Season.

Vermont Lift Ticket Prices are Up by 6% . The average weekend non-holiday adult ticket price is now $93.12.

Post from New England Ski Industry. Vermont remains the most expensive state in New England, as the average weekend full day adult lift ticket at a chairlift served area has climbed to $93.12. Six areas now have retail lift ticket prices greater than $100 per day.

Vermont Lift Ticket Prices. Vermont Lift Ticket Prices Up 6%.
Vermont Lift Ticket Prices. Vermont Lift Ticket Prices Up 6%.

Vail Resorts does not publish ticket window rates, so January 5th window prices referenced in the online store were used for Okemo and Stowe.

Stowe is once again the most expensive in the state, rising from $131 to $139. Killington and Stratton posted the largest increases, jumping 12% to $129 with new lifts being installed.

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