Be Green

Boreal's Green Initiative

Snow is our livelihood. It's all of our responsibility to protect our natural resources and make sure that we can enjoy winter sports for years and years to come. Boreal, along with its parent company Powdr Corp, is committed to reducing carbon emissions produced through our operations.

In a step to honor this commitment Powdr Corp has purchased energy credits through Renewable Choice Energy to offset 100% of the grid supplied electricity consumed at its seven ski and snowboard resorts including Boreal Mountain and Soda Springs Winter Resort. The renewable energy credits total nearly 50 million kWh, which is equivalent to removing over 8,500 passenger vehicles from the road for a year. The renewable energy credits (RECs) will be used at Boreal to power snowmaking, lodge electricity, plus all chairlifts and nightlights.

Powdr Corp is committed to being an industry leader in environmental stewardship. In addition to the purchase of 100 percent renewable energy, Powdr Corp resorts are actively involved in environmental initiatives including energy reduction, the use of alternative fuels and recycling. These initiatives have offset Powdr Corp’s carbon footprint by 92 percent. (more info)

What is Boreal doing to reduce carbon emissions?

Self-Audit of Carbon Footprint

Boreal along with all other Powdr Corp resorts conducts a yearly self-audit to gauge carbon emissions due to operations. The self-audit clearly defines "major-offenders" that are producing high levels of carbon emissions. Once identified the "offenders" can be isolated and steps may be taken to improve carbon efficiency. Below you will find several projects Boreal has completed based on the carbon audit.

New Snowmaking Fan Guns

Converting the old diesel powered compressors for the snowmaking system to SMI Fan Guns is saving 250 tons of carbon emissions each year.

Replace two lifts with NEW Castle Peak Quad

This season Boreal replaced two old lifts which were operated by inefficient motors, with the NEW Castle Peak Quad, saving over 7,000 kWh per year.

Change lighting in lodge for energy efficient lights.

Replacing old lights and ballasts with a F42-ILL system reduces our kilowatt hours (kWh) by 50% per year, a savings of 84,000 kWh per year.

New LED Freeway Sign

The new freeway sign saves the output of over 40 tons of carbon each year, reducing kWH by 86%.

Recycling Program

In the third season working with Sierra Cost Management, Boreal was able to diverted 48.5 tons of recycling from the landfill during 2008-2009, a 60% increase from 07/08 and 87% from 06/07.

The reduction of 48.5 tons of recycling is the equivalent to removing 40 tons of carbon from the environment or 31 passenger cars from the road each year.

Replace windows in the Boreal Inn with double-pane glass
100% usage of recycled paper for printing and marketing collateral
Use of 100% compostable corn cups
"No Idle Policy" for company and customer vehicles
Recycling plan for special events
Lift-line recycling and awareness program
Find avenue to eliminate unsolicited junk faxes
Employee carpool incentives

Future Energy-Saving Initiatives

Convert the heating system in the Boreal Inn from electric to hydronic
Convert main lodge windows to energy efficient double-pane glass
On-mountain night lighting conversion

Facts about global warming!

The average global temperature increased by about 1 degree Fahrenheit over the 20th century.
The United State contains only 5% of the world's population, but contributes 22% of the world's carbon emissions.
Personal cars and trucks in the United States emit 20% of the United States' carbon emissions.
Between 20% and 25% of carbon emissions come from deforestation and land use change.

What can you do about global warming?

Replace regular incandescent light bulbs with a compact fluorescent light bulb.
- Uses 60% less energy than a regular bulb.

Replace parts as needed to keep toilet from running.
Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible.
- You can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for six months out of the year.
Unplug electronics from the wall when you are not using them.
- Even when turned off, things like hairdryers, cell phone chargers and televisions use energy. In fact, the energy used to keep display clocks lit and memory chips working accounts for five percent of total domestic energy consumption and releases 18 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
Recycle at home.
- Earth 911 can help you find recycling resources in your area.
Ride a bike to school or work.
Carpool when driving to go skiing or snowboarding.

Resource Websites:

Click on any of the websites below to learn more about what you can do to help prevent global warming.

Keep Winter Cool: Fight Global Warming

Save Our Snow Foundation

NSAA: The Green Room

The Snowrider Foundation: by the Surfrider Foundation

The Green Guide: by the National Geographic Society

Grist: Environmental News and Humor

CarbonSense: Making Sense of Climate Change

Natural Defense Resource Council: The Earth's Best Defense