Vt. takes cake with ski honors
Toolbox
By JOSH O’GORMAN STAFF WRITER - Published: May 29, 2009
MONTPELIER — Vermont collected more awards than any other state in a competition that honors ski areas.
During a convention in San Marcos, Fla., the National Ski Areas Association bestowed eight awards to ski areas in the fields of safety, environmentalism and marketing.
“It was a wheelbarrow full of awards for Vermont ski areas,” said Vermont Ski Areas Association President Parker Riehle. The awards honored Okemo, Stratton, Stowe, Mad River Glen and Jay Peak.
Okemo received two awards, for environmental education and best helmet safety program. Mike Doran, permits and compliance coordinator for Okemo, said the award is the result of education programs for both guests and employees.
The resort has made an effort to educate its 1,500 employees about recycling and energy conservation, including an article in the employee biweekly newsletter and a proposed training on the subject during employee orientation in the fall.
Okemo is also reaching out to guests through animal demonstrations from the Vermont Institute of Natural Science and self-guided
environmental tours through Valley Quest of White River Junction.
Doran did not have immediate numbers to measure the result of the efforts but he said the effect is visible.
“It’s hard to quantify the results,” he said. “The real measure is the level of conversation around the resort.”
Okemo’s helmet safety program includes offering discounts on helmets purchased at Okemo Snow Sports Shops and the Helmet Heads contest, which rewards skiers and riders for having unkempt hair.
Stratton Mountain received an award for its conservation efforts. After the 2006-07 season, mountain officials set a goal of reducing energy consumption by 10 percent, said Jenna Pugliese, permit and planning manager. By the conclusion of the 2007-08, Stratton exceeded its goal, reducing electricity use by 18 percent, propane consumption by 20 percent and fuel and diesel use by 19 percent.
Pugliese said the mountain reduced energy consumption by installing more efficient refrigeration and snowmaking equipment.
Stowe received an award for its waste reduction and recycling programs. Mad River Glen and Jay Peak also won awards for marketing and Sugarbush received an award for its guest services program. A lifetime achievement award was given to Hank Lunde, former president of Killington and Stowe resorts.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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