WELCOME TO SUMMER Gain an elevated perspective at Aspen/Snowmass this summer. Your adventure is waiting to happen. Use the links to the left to discover all the exciting activities, dining and cultural experiences that Aspen/Snowmass has to offer in the summer.
Aspen/Snowmass is celebrating seven years as a third party ISO 14001 certifed resort. We are the first of only two ski resorts in the country to achieve this recognition.
How close did the helicopter get to the action while shooting the Snowmass segment for "The Art of Flight"? Real close. -Dave.
Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) recently partnered with the Elk Creek coal mine, Holy Cross Energy, and Vessels Coal Gas on a $5.5 million investment to capture waste methane vented from a coal mine in neighboring Somerset, Colorado to generate carbon negative electricity. The three megawatts of power generated from this project will produce as much energy as ASC uses annually -- approximately 24 million kilowatt hours. In addition, by destroying methane, a potent greenhouse gas, this project eliminates three times the carbon pollution created by the resort each year as well as garnering carbon offset benefits. Waste methane, and therefore electricity, will continue to be produced for at least 15 years, and possibly much longer, even after the mine has closed, estimated in 2014. This project is the only one of its scale in the United States.
Aspen/Snowmass has the only green building policy in the snowsports industry. It has resulted in projects like the Snowmass Golf Clubhouse, which is LEED Silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is heated and cooled using the pond on the 18th hole and is one of the most energy efficient commercial buildings in the state. In December 2009, ASC certified Sam's Smokehouse in Snowmass to LEED Gold,and our Aspen Holiday House Employee Housing to LEED Platinum. Other green, highly energy efficient buildings include the Highlands Patrol Headquarters, the Sanctuary Condos, the Sundeck (LEED 1.0 Bronze), and every new building in the pipeline...ASC now has 4 LEED certified buildings. And, we are seeking LEED Gold certification for the recently completed Restaurant at Elk Camp.
Almost half of Aspen/Snowmass employees contribute a dollar a week to the Environment Foundation. Their contributions are matched by the Aspen Community Foundation, the Aspen Skiing Company Family Fund, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (our official coffee). Over 15 years the foundation has given $2 million to 390 projects protecting the local environment.
Aspen/Snowmass is celebrating eight years as a third party ISO 14001 certifed resort. We are the first of only two ski resorts in the United States to achieve this recognition. ISO 14001 certification is the most widely known and respected environmental stamp of approval, which demonstrates responsible management of a company's environmental impacts.
ASC made the first wind power purchase in the U.S. ski industry from Holy Cross Energy, then became the first large ski resort to buy renewable wind power credits from 2006 to 2008. In 2008, ASC funded development of the 147kW CRMS solar array pictured here. It powers the school’s science building with excess energy fed into the town of Carbondale’s power grid. Annually, it produces 200,000 kWh (enough power for 20 average American homes) and keeps 400,000 lbs of carbon dioxide out of the air. ASC also operates five smaller solar arrays on its own buildings.