Grand Targhee Resort Named 'Greenest'

eco friendly green ski resortMove over Vail, Beaver Creek, and Aspen, you're not the only ski resorts known for eco-friendliess. Though not new to the scene, another resort is making headlines for its green standards.

Grand Targhee Resort, situated on the western slope of the Teton Mountains in Alta, Wyoming and accessible only through Teton Valley, Idaho, was recently recognized by Skiing Magazine as the greenest ski resort in the pubication's "Skiing’s Greenest All-Stars" story.
 
“We’re thrilled with the acknowledgement and recognize the responsibility that comes with being positioned as one of the ski industry’s leaders in sustainability,” said Christina Thomure, director of sustainable operations at Grand Targhee Resort. 

Grand Targhee Resort was the first business to become climate registered through the North American Climate Registry, an independent organization that helps businesses track and measure greenhouse gas emissions. The resort implemented an electricity conservation initiative this winter  to reduce its overall electricity use 10 percent below its five-year average and launched a glass reduction initiative that eliminated 75 percent of the glass containers. Thanks to increased efforts around recycling, replacing disposable paper cups with reusables like plastic tumblers, and the new glass reduction initiative, Grand Targhee Resort reduced its overall waste stream by 8.23 tons from 2008 to 2009, or by approximately 9 percent.

Next on the sustainability front is the completion of a feasibility study on a composting greenhouse using data collected last summer. Grand Targhee Resort is hoping to move forward with the construction of a composting greenhouse this summer, which would offer a sustainable alternative for produce at resort restaurants. In addition, a conservation committee has been formed and is working on energy retrofits and hopes to engage guests in the initiative.

Grand Targhee Resort was also recently honored with the 2009 Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence.

Visit www.grandtarghee.com.