Grand Targhee Named The Nation's Greenest Ski Resort

“We’re thrilled with the acknowledgement and recognize the responsibility that comes with being positioned as one of the ski industry’s leaders in sustainability,” said Christina Thomure, Director of Sustainable Operations at Grand Targhee Resort.  “While we are proud of what we have been able to accomplish, we aren’t perfect, and understand that being sustainable is as much about committing to the process as it is about implementing changes.”

Thomure recently spoke about the elements of the New Economy, including the triple bottom line and biomimicry, at “Gotham Goes Green” a sustainability-themed media event in New York City.  For more information, visit our blog at: http://blog.grandtarghee.com/2010/01/sustainable-a-ghee/

Grand Targhee Resort was the first business to become climate registered through the North American Climate Registry, an independent organization that helps businesses track and measure greenhouse gas emissions.  Grand Targhee Resort reported a total of 2958 metric tons of GHG’s for 2007 and is near completion on an inventory of 2008 emissions. 

“We established a baseline in 2007 and the 2008 measurements will help us determine where adjustments need to be made to continue to decrease our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Thomure.

But the Resort is not waiting for the 2008 results to start reducing its greenhouse gases.  The Resort has implemented an electricity conservation initiative this winter season to reduce its overall electricity use 10% below its five-year average.  A conservation committee has been formed and is working on energy retrofits and hopes to engage the guest in the initiative.

This winter, Grand Targhee launched a glass reduction initiative that included eliminating 75% of the glass containers at the resort.  Switching to cans from glass bottles, adding beer taps and boxed wines have made the biggest impact.  (For more about the challenges and expense associated with glass recycling see this story from the Associated Press).

Thanks to increased efforts around recycling, replacing disposable paper cups with reusables like plastic tumblers, and the new glass reduction initiative, Grand Targhee Resort reduced its overall waste stream by 8.23 tons from 2008 to 2009, or by approximately 9%.

Next on the sustainability front is the February completion of a feasibility study on a composting greenhouse using data collected last summer.  Grand Targhee Resort is hoping to move forward with the construction of a composting greenhouse this summer, which would offer a sustainable alternative for produce at resort restaurants.

Grand Targhee Resort is a year round mountain resort situated on the western slope of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming, accessible only through Teton Valley, Idaho.   During the winter, our abundance of snow (more than 500 inches annually) and lack of lift lines creates an uncrowded skier and snowboarder paradise, continually recognized for abundant snow, genuine western hospitality, scenic beauty and excellent value.  Tucked among spectacular Teton views and national forest land, Grand Targhee is also an intimate summer getaway for adventure-seekers, with miles of lift-accessed hiking, running and mountain biking trails, renowned music festivals and a variety of activities. A leader in environmental resort practices, Grand Targhee Resort was recently honored with the prestigious 2009 Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence.  For more information, please visit our website at www.grandtarghee.com.