Colorado Ski Country resorts tout slew of green initiatives RESPONSE

This article makes it clear that Colorado is making progressive steps to help our energy crisis. I think that its very cool that a few resorts are able to use clean energy solutions to completely offset their carbon emissions and energy use. I am very excited about energy efficient snow guns, because as skiers, we cant always rely on mother nature to provide for us, and snow guns are always helpful. I cant believe how much work these ski resorts put in to installing solar panels for their resorts! Its very obvious that the CSCUSA really cares about winter and skiing. I realize that Colorado's economy thrives and relies heavily on the amount of winter tourists they get. I also think that the resort owners would not be trying so hard if diehards weren't as passionate about winter sports as most Coloradians are.

This article does, however, raise a few questions. If these resorts are already doing as much as they possibly can to help the environment now, how will they improve in the near future? We can only hope (or hire scientists and let them figure it out) that clean energy technology will catch up with our fading O-Zone layer. I also wonder where the line is between convenience and energy efficiency. I for one am completely willing to sacrifice some basic freedoms to help our environment, like biking to a friends house instead of getting a ride. I just hope that everyone else feels the same way. I can't imagine that all these new improvements will not raise prices in the ski industry somewhat, but I know that its worth it. The reason I bring this up is because I have heard people complain about energy efficient products. (i.e. "they cost too much" or "fluorescent bulbs take longer to power on"). I think that if we all realize what a serious issue this is, we will all be willing to go the extra mile to help keep winter cold and snowy.

Colorado Ski Country resorts tout slew of green initiatives

This article is all about how Colorado ski resorts are reducing their carbon footprint and initiating new technologies to battle climate change. Ski resorts are doing everything from increasing the number of recycling receptacles to installing their own hyrdo-powered energy plants. A third of Colorado's resorts have even managed to offset their energy use by 100%, using clean energy solutions like solar power. Many of the resorts have also rebuilt buildings, so that they are more energy efficient. This means that they may have more windows, so that sunlight is taken advantage of, and the use of fluorescent light bulbs will be widely incorporated. Not only are mountainside amenities being made energy efficient; so are snow guns.

"Arapahoe Basin uses less water for snowmaking than any other ski area in Colorado. Additionally, their airless snowmaking system uses substantially less electricity than standard equipment".

It is evident that the state of Colorado is making great strides to reduce their carbon emissions. I hope that the rest of the skiing world will follow them.