Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's Commitment to Sustainable Slopes
(1) Planning, design, and construction
Multiple items were incorporated into Bridger Restaurant construction to reduce its environmental impact including:
(a) Use of structural insulated panels (SIP) for roof structure/insulation reducing use of dimensional lumber
(b) Use of glue-laminated structural timbers rather than solid structural timbers reducing use of large trees
(c) Use of metal roof and structural steel largely recycled and recyclable.
(d) Low E glazing and tinted glass windows
(e) Formaldehyde free batt insulation to reduce carcinogens
(f) Recycled rubber flooring and modular PVC free carpet
(g) Compact fluorescent lighting
(h) Low VOC paints
(i) Evaporative cooling system reducing amount of energy use for refrigeration by 62%
(j) Manual operation of heating system during night and morning with passive heating from solar exposure during day
(2) Water quality and conservation
(a) Resort lodging, night janitorial staff and food and beverage staff use cleaning products derived from plant oils rather than petrochemicals.
(b) The vehicle maintenance building filters and recycles over 7,000 gallons of water each year from snowmelt from groomers.
(c) Aqueous and microbial parts washers are used instead of toxic naphtha based washers in vehicle and lift maintenance.
(3) Energy conservation and reduced carbon emissions
(a) Biodiesel (B20) is used in summer for heavy equipment.
(b) Cleaner burning four-stroke snowmobiles are used on mountain in winter.
(c) Summer operations include use of 31 hp electric buggie.
(d) Nearly 1,000 light bulbs have been replaced with compact florescent analogues.
(4) Waste reduction and recycling
(a) JHMR recycles oil, antifreeze, batteries, florescent bulbs, and electronic equipment to prevent emission of hazardous material.
(b) JHMR recycles over 30% of its solid waste annually.
(5) Fish and wildlife/forest and vegetative management/wetlands and riparian areas.
(a) JHMR holds three permits under section 404 of Clean Water Act for filling approximately 1 acre total and reconstructing 2 acres total of wetlands. The hydrological and ecological functions of the wetland have met or exceeded federal standards.
(b) JHMR cooperated with US Forest Service to identify blister rust resistant whitebark pine.
(6) Air quality/transportation
(a) For nearly a decade, JHMR has purchased START bus passes for all employees and season pass holders at a cost of nearly $100,000.
(b) Carpoolers (3 or more) have parking fee waived in Teton Village.
(c) JHMR was certified “Best Workplace for Commuters” in 2006 for including emergency ride home program (ERHP) in case of personal or family emergency.
(d) JHMR spent over $1,000,000 to develop Park and Ride Lot at intersection of WY-22 and WY-390 in 2005, which immediately resulted in reduction of miles traveled per skier visit by 30%.
(7) Visual quality
(a) JHMR minimizes the visual impact of all of its construction projects in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, including location, profile, and exterior design of lifts and buildings. One exemplary projects in 2005 involved staining a rock cut and planting native grasses and Ceanothus bushes to reduce the visual impact of a historic traverse road across Rendezvous Mountain.
(8) Education and outreach
(a) Green Tracks environmental column is a regular feature in First Tracks employee newsletter
(b) Wild West Woods environmentally-themed ski area for children’s ski school has been developed.
