May 29, 2006

Whistler Blackcomb Recognized for Progressive Environmental Achievements

Resort  named Silver Eagle winner for waste 
reduction and recycling, plus finalist for three
other awards including the Golden Eagle  

WHISTLER, BC, May 29, 2006 – Whistler Blackcomb has earned another coveted Silver Eagle award, recognizing environmental performance among North American ski areas. The resort has now won two Golden Eagles, six Silver Eagles, and numerous finalist spots since the Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence were established in 1993. The awards were handed out in Florida on May 23 at the National Ski Areas Association national convention.

The Silver Eagle was awarded to Whistler Blackcomb in the category of waste reduction and recycling. The resort was also a Silver Eagle finalist in the categories of energy conservation/clean energy and environmental education, as well as a finalist for the Golden Eagle award for overall excellence, which Whistler Blackcomb won last year.

"We are very honoured and proud to have received this recognition among our peer resorts," says Arthur DeJong, Whistler Blackcomb's mountain planning and environmental resource manager. "There are hundreds of people who need to be thanked and recognized for making this happen at every level of our company. Our team puts the waste reduction and recycling systems in place, but we rely on our guests and staff to comply in order to ensure the program's success."

The award recognized the fact that Whistler Blackcomb has reached a 60% reduction in its landfill waste by removing compostable material from the waste stream in addition to the dozens of items it recycles daily. Recycled materials include everything from paper and coffee lids to rubber tires from the ski lifts and all metals from the Maintenance Division. The award also recognized the resort's company-wide materials exchange/reuse program, as well as its recent efforts to work with ski industry partners in encouraging ways to reduce waste by, for example, recycling rental ski equipment.

"Environmentalism has become part of our DNA here at Whistler Blackcomb as we strive for continuous improvement in the stewardship of our mountain eco-systems," says DeJong. "It's great to get the recognition for having achieved 60% reduction in waste, but our job is not done until we are 100% waste free."

Whistler Blackcomb is currently training 50 employees representing all areas of the operation in the teachings of The Natural Step framework. Each employee will then have the task of returning to their roles with a keen eye to seize new stewardship opportunities that are yet to be applied. A key area of focus continues to be the reduction of fossil fuels in order to combat global warming. Energy conservation and renewable energy initiatives are also core pursuits of the program.

DeJong points to the future and the ultimate vision of becoming a fully sustainable resort operation and a model for resort communities worldwide. "Awards such as the Silver Eagle inspire us, but we're still at the beginning of the journey and we must continually improve our results," he concludes. "We commend all the ski resorts that were recognized through the Golden Eagle Awards for their efforts to achieve sustainability. We're proud to be among them."

 

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests, and has unveiled plans for a new high speed quad accessing Whistler Mountain's spectacular high alpine for the 06/07 season. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to the continent's two greatest vertical-rise ski mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb. With over 14 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a one mile vertical rise, the choices of where and what to ski/ride at Whistler Blackcomb from beginner to advanced terrain are staggering. Joined at the base by a vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four season resort is spectacular by nature. Check it all out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.