Habitat Protection

A dirt superpipe, like the one pictured at left  on Buttermilk Mountain, may not seem like a habitat protection measure. But the pipe cuts water use by 4 million gallons, and saves about $15,000 in electricity costs. Water efficiency means more stays in Maroon Creek for the fish. And less electricity use means less pollution that affects streams, lakes and forests in the form of acid rain.

In a more direct sense, Aspen Skiing Company implements wildlife and habitat management plans on all four mountains. At Snowmass, the Wildlife Enhancement and Management Plan  focuses on alleviating the effect of human activities on flora and fauna, and improving wildlife habitat to form an ecological continuum that protects and enhances the ecological resources within Snowmass. The plan was winner of 1998 Times Mirror Silver Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence in Wildlife Habitat Protection.

At Snowmass and Highlands, Aspen Skiing Company developed Natural Resource Management Plans to address long-term management direction, sustainability of the ecosystems, and implementation guidelines to provide vegetative diversity, forage production for wildlife, and opportunities for non-motorized recreation. 

Stream Team
As part of ASC's "Stream Team," employees volunteer to help monitor local water quality with the nonprofit Roaring Fork Conservancy.

Swordfish and Chilean Sea Bass Ban
To protect Atlantic swordfish and Chilean sea bass, which at present rates of depletion will become commercially extinct by 2005, Aspen Skiing Company implemented a company-wide boycott of the fish in its restaurants. Aspen Skiing Company will continue the boycott until a satisfactory federal recovery plan has been implemented, or until swordfish populations have adequately recovered.

Preserving Open Space
During the fall of 1997, Aspen Skiing Company donated $50,000 toward the acquisition and preservation of the 10-acre Hummingbird Ranch. This beautiful land offers hiking, mountain biking, camping, hunting, and fishing. In 2003, ASC is donating three large parcels of open space in Snowmass Village to Aspen Valley Land Trust. This move permanantly preserves a nature trail and the cliffs below the popular Rim Trail.

Wilderness Preservation and Support of White River Forest Plan Alternative D 
On Earth Day, 1999, Aspen Skiing Company joined the Colorado Wilderness Network, a coalition of more than 125 organizations supporting protection of Colorado public lands, particularly canyon country. The project originated with the "Citizens" Wilderness Proposal for BLM Lands," drafted by conservationists in 1994 after years of study and backed by Representative Diana DeGette. The proposal-recently introduced as the 1999 Wilderness Act in the U.S. Congress-aims to preserve 1.4 million acres through wilderness designation. Partners in this project include the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society, the Colorado Environmental Coalition, the Colorado Mountain Club, and Western Colorado Congress. Aspen Skiing Company was also the only ski/snowboard area in the state to support the direction of White River National Forest Plan's Alternative D, which places biodiversity above human and corporate interests. We did it because we're convinced a healthy environment is good for the state economy. Aspen Skiing Company was also the only ski/snowboard area in the state to support the direction of White River National Forest Plan's Alternative D, which places biodiversity above human and corporate interests. We did it because we're convinced a healthy environment is good for the state economy.