RESORT PROFILE
Valley, and renovations to the lodge service to improve speed
and flow. Snowbasin has also added new yurts at the base
of its Middle Bowl to provide an area for guests to rest and
warm-up, away from any resort lodge.
“As you can imagine – like everyone else – managing the
new protocols because of COVID-19 has been challenging,”
said Collins. “Looking ahead, we plan to continue focusing on
social distancing and spreading people out on the mountain,
with the main priority on our bottleneck areas.”
Snowbasin believes in the pursuit of greater sustainability
and continuously works on reducing its carbon footprint.
The resort is proud of its materials diversion rate, which –
in the last three years – has diverted approximately 230
tons of material out of the waste stream and into recycling
commodities. Recently, Snowbasin Resort has been exploring
the practice of having all its compostable material hauled
off-site and deposited in the first anaerobic digester in Utah
that will create biofuel to power thousands of Utah homes, as
well as create organic fertilizer that Snowbasin will use for its
gardens and lawns.
In addition, Snowbasin uses solar-powered lighting in its
parking lots and has installed smart heaters inside its lift
shacks to conserve electricity, as well as takes part in efficient
lighting programs and makes use of LED lights throughout
most of the resort. Snowbasin has also partnered with
Ogden-based, Qnergy for a test demo of the Qnergy ‘Smart
Boiler’ that creates electricity while heating the water in the
broiler, further reducing the need for electrical transmission
from coal operated power plants.
“Environmental measures are important to us because
it’s part of running a ski area,” said Collins. “Sustainability
has basically become like second nature with the NSAA
Environmental Charter, and we see the emphasis everywhere.
If you can do something in a more environmental or
sustainable way, you’re doing well.”
Snowbasin Resort is celebrating its 80th anniversary this
winter and will mark the milestone with a number of events
highlighting its long history in the Ogden Valley, as well as the
release of a specialty beer inspired by the resort and brewed
by local brewer, Roosters Brewing.
“If you can do something
in a more environmental
or sustainable way,
you’re doing well.”
– Megan Collins, Snowbasin Resort
Snowbasin’s snowmaking program covers
more than 600 acres
8 January 2021 | snowopsmag.com
/snowopsmag.com
