Sustainability

Our Goal: Carbon Neutral by 2025

WINNER OF THE 2022 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT AWARD (NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION)

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is located in the beautiful White River National Forest. We are committed to being thoughtful stewards of this exceptional mountain environment so that current and future generations can continue to enjoy it in every season.

More than 20 years ago, A-Basin co-founded and adopted the National Ski Area Association’s (NSAA) Sustainable Slopes Environmental Charter. The charter pledged the ski industry and member ski areas to be leaders among providers of outdoor recreation in committing to environmental stewardship and improving environmental performance in all aspects of their operations.

In 2011, we joined with seven other ski areas and the NSAA to launch the Climate Challenge, a voluntary agreement that requires participants to track and publicly report their resource usage and emissions data, engage in climate change advocacy, and implement on-site emissions reductions projects each year. Now including more than 40 participants, Climate Challengers have reduced and offset greenhouse gas emissions at their ski areas by 247,852 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over 9 seasons – just shy of 20% of their total emissions over that time. 

A-Basin is now a leader in ski-area sustainability, regularly winning awards since 2005. Our efforts are broad, company-wide, and intentionally built into both our culture and our business. ​By conserving and limiting our resource use, protecting our spectacular natural surroundings, and working hard to educate our guests and staff alike, A-Basin is finding ways to walk lighter on the planet – even in our ski and snowboard boots. 

We all have the power to save the powder!

Ski Area Sustainability Plan

In 2018, we took a significant step by developing a strategic sustainability plan meant to work alongside the ski area’s overall master development plan. This plan, and its six, aggressive sustainability goals, are having sweeping effects on the way the ski area operates and driving us toward our goal of being carbon neutral by 2025. Here’s how we will get there:

• 100% renewable electricity

• 75% waste diversion

• Increase carpool and public transportation participation

• Ecosystem stewardship and wildlife management

• No net increase in water use

• Centralize purchasing

• Visit our Projects & Policies page for complete details

Sustainability Sunday video series

Get a snapshot of A-Basin's sustainability efforts and learn simple ways that you, too, can reduce your environmental impact by watching our award-winning video series. 

SUSTAINABILITY SUNDAY VIDEOS

2022 Sustainability Report

Welcome to the 2022 Arapahoe Basin sustainability report, covering the ski area's 2021-2022 ski and ride season, our 75th in operation.

In 2022, A-Basin received the Golden Eagle Award from the National Ski Areas Association in recognition of the many ways we tackle environmental work from climate action, political advocacy, and guest education to all of our on-site efforts. 

The biggest news of last season was the replacement of the Lenawee Mountain Lift, for which we took multiple unique steps to reduce our environmental impact. We also completed a significant wetlands restoration project, built new mountain bike singletrack using sustainable trail development methods, added 10 EV charging stations, expanded solar arrays on new buildings, and continued with our ongoing efforts to reduce our emissions, divert more waste from the landfill, increase our renewable energy use, and much more.

Review our progress in the report below.​​