Western ski resorts did not make significant environmental improvements during 2011, the first time in five years according to a new report by a Durango-based environmental group. The Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition’s annual ski area environmental report card hands out grades for 82 ski resorts in the region. The group’s research director Warren Rider says most resorts this year also scaled back on expansion and other development plans.
"The bad news is that we also didn’t have ski areas writing page after page after page of their new and improved solar array or snow guns or their new employee commuter program," Rider said. "We didn’t see those types of investments either."
In Colorado, this year’s report gives high marks to Powderhorn Ski Area and Aspen Highlands which rank near the top of the list for sustainable practices. Rider says Breckenridge was ranked second to last among the resorts due to its controversial “Peak 6” expansion plan.
