Each year, SKIING's parent company, The Skiing Company, gives one Golden Eagle award and six Silver Eagle awards to ski resorts that demonstrate commitment to the environment. The silvers recognize achievement in specific areas; the gold is for overall environmental excellence.
This year, Stowe, Vermont, won gold for its innovative Community Plan, which brings resort improvements in line with locals' environmental concerns. Silvers went to five resorts: The Aspen Skiing Company of Colorado picked up two awards, in both Water and Energy Conservation; Mad River Glen, Vermont, won in Environmental Education for its naturalist programs; Stratton, Vermont, won in Habitat Protection for offering to set aside 1,500 acres (18 acres for each acre affected by future growth); Vail, Colorado, won in the Visual Impact category for its Blue Sky Basin expansion; and Gore Mountain, New York, won in Environmental Group Relations for working closely with several environmental organizations. Kudos to all.
