SAM Magazine-Lakewood, Colo., July 8, 2011-The 11th Sustainable Slopes Annual Report from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) highlights the latest environmental implementations at ski areas including the use of electric vehicles, composting, local purchasing programs, efforts to reduce carbon footprints, water conservation efforts, and employee and guest education as it relates to sustainability.

The primary focus of the program last season was implementing the new Sustainable Slopes Grant Program and launching the new Climate Challenge, a voluntary program for resorts to inventory, target and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Eight resorts have taken the Challenge, including Alta, Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort, Utah; Telluride Ski & Golf Resort and Arapahoe Basin, Colo.; Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyo., Jiminy Peak, Mass., and Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore.

The annual grant program is made possible by cash and in-kind grants from HKD Turbo, LeitWind, Renewable Choice Energy, CLIF Bar, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. These donations made the implementation of the Climate Challenge possible and helped fuel resort efforts to develop more efficient snowmaking systems, solar trash compactors, water bottle refilling, electric vehicle recharging stations, and lighting retrofits.

More than 190 resorts endorse the NSAA Environmental Charter, including those that account for about 75 percent of the ski industry's annual skier and snowboarder visits.

The full 2011 Sustainable Slopes Annual Report is available in the Sustainable Slopes section at www.nsaa.org under the Environment menu.

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