Sustainable Initiatives Proposal for Wintergreen Resort

The downhill ski industry contributes to global carbon emissions across many components of its operation, including transportation, snowmaking, and resort operations. Wintergreen Resort, a four season resort in central Virginia, may face significant sustainability challenges as a small ski resort at relatively low altitudes in the Southeastern United States. This report proposes initiatives to improve resort sustainability, through both emissions reduction and conservation efforts, based on on-site observations, interviews, and research.

In order to develop reasonable sustainability initiatives for Wintergreen Resort, a review of the current state of practice of emissions reductions across ski resorts was conducted to identify high impact emissions reduction strategies. Additionally, current research into the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives at resorts was evaluated. Identified high impact initiatives across resorts consistently included improvements to building operations and improvements in snowmaking efficiency.

Seven sustainability initiatives are proposed. Operations initiatives include replacing outdated outdoor lighting with energy-efficient LED lights, transitioning to digital lift passes to reduce waste and improve efficiency and using hydronic heat exchangers to maintain roads and reduce the need for plowing and salting. Waste reduction initiatives include implementing composting programs to divert food waste from landfills and reducing the use of single-use plastics and promoting reusable alternatives. Finally, conservation initiatives include enhancing the soil stability and plant diversity through native species reseeding and organic fertilization and monitoring and improving small mammal populations by maintaining natural habitats and minimizing disturbances.

Seven initiatives in progress are also proposed, which would require further development before implementation. These initiatives include implementing a gear donation program, further optimizing HVAC systems, utilizing wind power, utilizing energy from local cow manure, developing an incentive program for sustainability across the resort, introducing more education campaigns and increasing water reduction strategies across the resort and slopes.

It is recommended that initiatives be implemented through proposed small scale initiatives and gradually increasing scale as feasible. Future work may include refining proposed initiatives based on further feedback and upon completion of a full emissions inventory to better target reduction efforts.