If one of these resorts is your home resort, it’s likely worth it to call, write an email, or walk right into their offices and let them know that you’d like to see change.
This list is provided by the Ski Area Citizens Coalition who ranks ski resorts based on the criteria seen below the following lists.
THE LEAST GREEN SKI RESORT IN THE USA for 2011
#1 – Montana Snowbowl, MT = 47.4%
#2 – Breckenridge Ski Resort, CO = 50.1% (Breck gets the most skier visits in the USA)
#3 – Taos Ski Valley, NM = 55.5%
#4 – Arizona Snowbowl, AZ = 56.3%
#5 – Homewood Mountain Resort, CA = 56.5%
#6 – White Pass Ski Area, WA = 58.3%
#7 – Solitude Mountain Resort, UT = 58.3%
#8 – Brundage Mountain Resort, ID = 60.8%
#9 – Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, NV = 60.9%
#10 – Brain Head Resort, UT = 61.3%
Ski Area Citizen’s Coalition’s grading criteria:
1. Habitat Protection
A. Maintaining Ski Terrain Within the Existing Footprint
B. Preserving Undisturbed Lands from Development
C. Protecting or Maintaining Endangered Species
D. Preserving Environmentally Sensitive Areas
2. Protecting Watersheds
A. Protecting/Preserving Wetlands
B. Protecting WAter Quality
C. Water Conservation
3. Addressing Global Climate Change
A. Conserving Energy by Avoiding New Snowmaking
B. Renewable Energy
C. Energy Efficiency
D. Transportation
4. Environmental Policies and Practices
A. Environmental Policy Positions and Advocacy
B. Waste Stream Management
C. Purchasing
D. Environmental Reporting and Accountability
E. Community Sustainability