Sustainability

At Aspen Snowmass, we take the long view because climate change is an existential threat not only to the ski industry and our way of life, but to life itself.

Snowflakes fall on pine trees near Aspen, Colorado

The Environment Foundation Green Operations Racial Justice
We hope to create a sustainable future by implementing green operations—from using solar energy across our mountains to offering low-impact dining options—as well as forging change at the policy level. But there is always more work to do—and our future depends on it.

The reality is, tweaking our business operations and cutting our carbon footprint is not enough—systemic problems require systemic solutions. Environmentalist and author Bill McKibben put it best, “By all means, go screw in that efficient light bulb, but then go screw in a new senator.”

That’s why we use our voice and influence to tackle climate change at the policy level. Because that’s what it will take.

Our Environmental Commitment

We are committed to protecting the environment and leading the way on corporate responsibility and sustainability. Our goals in doing so are outlined at right.

Adult Standard Ski Package

To Stay in Business Forever

We are a ski company — we need snow to stay viable.

Ski patrol employees

Doing Right by Our Employees

To be the best employer in the world by strengthening our community, both internally and externally.

Mike Kaplan, CEO

Global Leadership

And to lead the business world as a sustainable, responsible brand.

...And to Accomplish These Goals

Our priorities and main areas of focus are:

Climate Action

Gearing our advocacy and operations toward solutions.

Tolerance and Diversity

Embracing and advocating for inclusivity and understanding in all levels of our business and in the community.

Social Justice

Fighting for education, child care, defeating poverty and improving health outcomes in all communities.

Engagement

Stakeholder and civic engagement and communication (e.g. employees, guest, community).

Featured Initiatives

Explore The Methane Plant

We transformed an abandoned coal mine into a power plant that converts methane emissions into clean energy—here's how it’s going.

Give a Flake

We've spent more time in Washington lobbying for climate than any other ski resort because being a snowsports enthusiast now means being part of the fight against climate change.

Setting Carbon Targets

Think of Aspen Skiing Company as the intransigent teenager of the corporate environmental movement, the one that questions all conventional wisdom, often annoyingly.

Can Skiing Survive Climate Change?

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Climate change poses an existential threat to the ski industry, and Aspen Snowmass has known this for a long time. A warmer climate means less snow and less snow means a shorter season for snowboarders and skiers—we've already lost about 30 days of the ski season since 1980.

NPR correspondent Kirk Siegler first covered the issue 15 years ago as local station reporter in Aspen and talked to Aspen Skiing Company's VP of Sustainability, Auden Schendler. This year, Siegler returned to Aspen and tells Short Wave co-host Aaron Scott about Aspen Snowmass' many efforts to push the nation toward clean energy and how those efforts are not longer radical, but a model for businesses everywhere.

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Vote For Climate

Think your vote doesn't count? Think again. To move the needle on the climate crisis, we have to mobilize as one.

Sustainability Reports

Dive into the details on how Aspen Snowmass has backed up its words with action via our archive of sustainability reports.

Green Operations

From LEED-certified buildings to capturing methane and turning it into clean energy, we practice what we preach.

Philanthropy

From participating in food banks within the Roaring Fork Valley to donating to noteworthy causes, our global mindset has always been backed up by action locally.