Recycling on the Mountain

This weekend I managed to get my first days of snowboarding in and was able to experience Killington with new owners. Besides having a blast and burning my quads until I could no longer walk, I was happy to see that the new owners have instituted a recycling program. (I love the sign!)

I'm sure ski resorts have a huge impact on the environment. Between snow making, the chair lifts, the waste at the lodge and all of the big SUV's that carry us snow hungry people to the mountain – each ski resort must have a huge footprint. Since I am an avid snowboarder, this ads to my impact. (Great - one more thing to consider.)

I contacted Killington, since that is my main mountain, to see what kind of environmental initiatives they have going. I would feel better about the time I spend on the mountain if I knew that part of my season pass purchase was going towards innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions.

So, this is what I learned about Killington.
For the upcoming ski season, Killington Resort is implementing the following environmental initiatives:

- Co-mingle recycling program throughout all facilities, including six day lodges.
- A $50,000 “Free Aire” refrigeration energy saving project on 10 of our 18 walk-in coolers and freezers that will save 86,389 KWh and 31 tons of C02 savings per year
- Purchase 30 addition Low Energy Snowguns ($40,000), bringing our total of Low E guns to 339 out of 1,435 total guns. The increased use of Low E guns has reduces our diesel consumption by more than 30 percent and electricity by 25 percent over the past three years.
- They are also looking for a reliable supplier for biodiesel in the Central Vermont area.

The above is just the tip of the iceberg. What impressed me the most about Killington's initiative is that they are focusing on reducing their impact rather than just buying carbon credits to make up for it. That tells me that they are running their business the way I am trying to live my life.

Now - I am still figuring out what I want to do personally about the additional impact I make by choosing to go snowboarding. Keep posted - and feel free to pass on suggestions. But I'm not ready to give up this sport - so for now I am looking into carbon credits to offset my lift rides and driving to the slopes (besides all of the other lifestyle changes I am already making to decrease my impact).

If you are interested in reading more details about Killington - see below.

Details, details, details...

Snowmaking
Killington Resort’s snowmaking system, the most extensive in the world, consumes more power than all other resort operations combined. Over the past three years, more than $5.5 million have been poured into snowmaking improvements to increase the efficiency of the overall system and eliminated energy waste of both compressed air and water.

In partnership with Efficiency Vermont, we have completed a seven-year program to replace older diesel-powered snowmaking compressors with new state of the art “Tier III” low emissions machines. This upgrade has reduced our total emissions by 50%, or 100 tons of green house gas, which is the single most significant reduction in the ski industry!

The addition of HKD Ranger tower-mount Low Energy snow guns have complemented our power generation plant upgrades, further reducing Killington’s energy consumption. Low Energy guns produce the same amount of snow as conventional guns while utilizing up to 75 percent less energy. Over the past four years, Killington has boosted its Low Energy arsenal to 339 of the resort 1,435 total snow guns. Low energy snow guns are configured in the nozzle to use the same amount of water as conventional guns with less compressed air. The one drawback is their versatility as the optimal temperature range for their use is a wet bulb temperature (a combination of air temperature and humidity) below 26 degrees with light wind. However, the added advantage for the Low Energy snow guns is that by using less compressed air, Killington can run more guns at one time! In addition, the increased efficiency of tower-mount technology allows more rapid resurface capability with not only reduced air consumption and less energy, but manpower, which means fewer gas-powered snowmobiles on the mountain.

“Free Aire” Refrigeration Energy Project
A “Free Aire” refrigeration energy saving project took place this past summer and fall on 10 of our 18 walk-in coolers and freezers that will save a combined 86,389 kilowatt hours and 31 tons of C02 per year. Free Aire is a Vermont company out of Waitsfield. The project was captured by a production crew from Discovery Network’s Science Channel and will air on “Trippin’ the Green” in January.

Water Conservation Measures
The source of snowmaking water has been supplemented by the use of the Woodward Reservoir. This conservation measure has allowed the historical flows in local streams to be maintained, and in some cases increased, to insure protection for aquatic species. At the same time the snowmaking water supply can now support future growth without impacts to natural resources. In addition, the cold water pulled from the depths of Woodward Reservoir reduces the need to power cooling plants at the resort prior to pumping water through the snowmaking system.

Additional water conservation measures have been achieved through an innovative design to use recycled waste water systems throughout restroom facilities at our six base lodges, which saves up to 30,000 gallons of fresh water a day during peak usage and will be expanded in the future.


Support of the Regional Transit Provider
Killington Resort is the largest private contributor to “The Bus” - The Marble Valley Regional Transportation District. The Killington Region Transit Expansion Plan was a proactive response to the Village Master Plan proposed in 1998 to reduce traffic impacts to the region. Current ridership for the region exceeds 800,000 one way trips, with resort related trips exceeding 375,000, of which 75,000 are commuter and employee related - which continues to increase each year.

The combined efforts of the state, the resort and regional business supports the nearly a $1 million operating budget. The objective is to reduce the dependence on the automobile, drastically reducing emissions in the region, and to creating a pedestrian friendly village that is contiguous to the surrounding community.


Green Mountain College Partnership
Green Mountain College provides resort industry career training, educational outreach and consultants to develop operating strategies to manage overall energy consumption.
Killington Resort contributes to these programs by providing hands-on classroom experience, instructors and internships for students.


Additional recycling within maintenance operations include:
♣ All anti-freeze (350 gallons per year)
♣ Waste Oil for energy recovery (5,000 gallons per year)
♣ Laundered Rag recycle for shop use
♣ Battery and tire recycling
♣ Nearly exclusive use of latex paint to reduce hazardous wastes
♣ Use of sorbets and wringer to recover waste oil
♣ Use of recycled parts washer to eliminate spent solvents
♣ White paper and cardboard recycling
♣ Gas water recycling
♣ Use of air vacuum to recover waste oil
♣ Mercury bulb waste stream reduction

Printed Collateral
Killington Resort supports the highest social and environmental standards in the market for paper printed collateral. The 2007-08 Killington and Pico Mountain Trail maps will be printed on FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) paper.

Alternative Energy Sources and Conservation Measures
We continue to research alternative energy sources for participation in the future development of: wind energy, cow power (methane gas production) through Central Vermont Public Service, wood chip power generation and natural and cryogenic gas plants.

We continue to work with energy conservation consultants to find new ways to economize and reduce energy consumption, including kitchen equipment, motor controllers and rebuilds, cooler economizers, lighting upgrades and green building design.

Additional goals built into the Killington Resort conservation program:
- Expand the resort’s recycling and solid waste reduction program
- Pursue energy conservation measures through Demand Side Management
- Keep abreast of energy reduction and efficiency opportunities