Environmental stewardship

Big Sky Resort is dedicated to providing outstanding outdoor recreation to our guests, while taking steps to protect our environment in the spectacular Yellowstone eco-system.

We have chosen to live in one of the most incredible places in the world and wish to share the wonders with all the visitors to Southwest Montana. By committing to the best environmental practices in operations and development we can provide memorable experiences in a mountain environment that can't be duplicated anywhere.

Here is an overview of Big Sky's current sustainable initiatives; it's an ever growing list so check back often.

Sincerely,

"The Green Team"

Christine Baker-Snowsports, Madeleine Bessire-Lodging, Dylan Hall-Retail, Kent & Petra Krehel-Food & Beverage, Brian Mordecai-Sales & Marketing, Heaven Phillips-Activities, Jamie Roberts-Real Estate, Dax Schieffer-Public Relations, Maggie Tarr-Guest Services, Angie DeKay- Mountain Operations

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Big Sky Resort is committed to providing recycling opportunities for staff, guests and visitors. By recycling paper, cardboard and aluminum, plastic, we're not only reducing the volume of waste material into local landfills, but also helping save energy and natural resources.

Big Sky offers recycling receptacles in public areas in the Plaza area of the Mountain Village
Big Sky has contracted recycling pick-up in all administration areas for office and consumer waste, including aluminum, paper, cardboard and toner cartridges.
Big Sky Resort provides recycling receptacles in several locations including the Mountain Mall. New this season includes the Cafeteria, plaza area, lift lines and top of lifts .
All restaurants and bars that are managed by Big Sky Resort recycle aluminum and cardboard products
Big Sky is committed to researching the most environmentally friendly printing methods for marketing materials. Several recent orders included printing with a specialized UV ink that decomposes faster than traditional inks on paper that is chlorine free reducing dioxins and other toxins and pollutants. The paper used has been 100% recycled and 50% post-consumer recycled.
Mountain Operations staff collect and recycle batteries that are used for their Avalanche Transceivers rather than throwing them away. Hotel operations also recycles batteries from remote controls from the over 1,000 televisions managed by Big Sky Resort.
Re-use - Big Sky retail manages a program to provide used uniforms to re-use cold weather clothing for others, also Human Resources offers a drop-off for jackets and other warm weather gear for International staff members.

Energy Savings

Sure this follows in the reduce concept that Big Sky Resort communicates with its staff and guests, but what better way to mitigate harmful effects of energy production than minimizing energy use! Here's how we're doing it.

Big Sky has developedan energy savings campaign that turns down the thermostat to guest rooms when the guest leaves with a key-card system called Entergize. The pilot program has started with over 300 units in the Shoshone and Summit Hotels.
Big Sky Resort encourages all employees to turn their computers off at the end of the day/shift and turn the lights out when they leave a room/office.
Big Sky Resort has retro-fitted guest rooms in the Summit, Shoshone and Huntley Lodge (over 600 units) with energy efficient compact fluorescent lights. Resort Retail shops have tranistioned to energy efficient lighting.
Big Sky Resort has adopted a towel re-use program in all of its hotel rooms minimizing the amount of laundry necessary that saves electricity, along with the use of water, discharge and cleaning products.
All employees are directed to turn down the thermostat in their office space at the end of the day when their work area is not in use.
Big Sky has discontinued the practice of heating the entire plaza to remove snow from the base area. Not only are there energy savings, but it creates a snowy white atmosphere for our guests to enjoy.

Clean Air

Bob Hope once said about Montana that he never trusts breathing air he can't see. We're blessed in this state with the crisp, clean air that is far removed from the smog and smoke from city living. We have measures to help ensure this for everyone.

*New this season. Big Sky implemented a "no smoking" policy at all the lift loading areas.
Big Sky Resort financially supports the community bus system that promotes fewer vehicles in the Mountain Village and less vehicles on the road between Bozeman and Big Sky. Not only are there less polluting vehicles being used, but the highways are safer.
There is a no-idle policy for vehicles at both Front Desk check-in locations and skier drop-off/pick-up locations in the Big Sky Mountain Village.
Employees are encouraged to car-pool and employees in staff housing locations in the Mountain Village are encouraged to walk to work.
All in-door public areas and guest rooms of Big Sky Resort are designated “no-smoking” areas for the benefit of all our guests and families.
Big Sky Resort was the first major resort to purchase cleaner and quieter 4-stroke snowmobiles for mountain operations.

Community Support

It's one thing to communicate to our staff and guests the importance of finding the best practices for the environment and Big Sky steps up to partner with community efforts as well.

Big Sky Resort has partnered with Cool Earth along with all nine other Boyne ski resorts across North America. Rainforests are disappearing fast and causing our climate to change. Together with Cool Earth, Big Sky Resort along with all Boyne Resorts will conserve at least 41 acres of endangered rainforest in Cool Earth's Ashaninka project and provide support to the communities of this project. www.coolearth.org/boyneresorts
Big Sky Resort has partnered with the Blue Water Task Force that helps measure the health of the Gallatin River which flows near the resort. www.bluewatertaskforce.org
Big Sky Resort worked with the Gallatin County Water Sewer District providing easements across public lands for water and sewer lines to be positioned that allowed for increased demand to divert any potential discharge into the Gallatin River. At this point, no treated/used water has ever been discharged into the Gallatin River, an issue very important to Big Sky Resort.
Big Sky financially supports the Skyline and Skylink mass transportation programs that provides free bus service between Mountain Village and Meadow Village businesses as well as between the Bozeman and Big Sky communities. www.skylinebus.com
Big Sky is partnering with the state DEQ on measuring and monitoring water in the Mountain Village of the West Fork of the Gallatin River.
Big Sky has retained a consultant who is a wildlife biologist who specializes in Wetlands to advise for any future developments in the Mountain Village area.
Big Sky Resort has been a strong supporter of the Big Sky Institute by providing resources, money and mountain locations for science including forests of high elevation of White Bark Pine and the rock glacier located in Big Sky's bowl area. The Big Sky Institute (BSI) is an interdisciplinary science, education and outreach institute that was created by Montana State University and like-minded members of the community to transorm the role of science in our society by advancing and communicationg objective and relevant place-based science and to increase the understanding and appreciation of the globally significant Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Check out the BSI Summer 2009 newsletter for upcoming events, latest projects and updates. http://bsi.montana.edu/

What Can You Do to Help?

Please follow the Leave No Trace ^TM Principles when visiting Big Sky and other mountain resorts. Here is a list that combines these, Keep Winter Cool, and other ideas that can help you help our environment and our climate. If we each do our part, together, we will make a difference!

Dispose of waste properly and never throw trash from a lift. Reduce, reuse and recycle when possible.
If you are dropping off or waiting for passengers, turn off your vehicle’s engine. On cold mornings, limit the amount of warm up time for your vehicle. If your engine is idling for more than 10 seconds, you should turn it off to conserve fuel and limit global warming pollution.
Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Whenever you turn a switch on, think about whether there is anything you can turn off.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. Which use up to 75% less electricity than incandescent light bulbs and will save you money on your home’s electric bill.
Carpool with family and friends whenever possible.
When selecting your next vehicle, choose the most-efficient, least-polluting one that meets your needs.
After the ski season remove roof racks and snow tires to improve your vehicle’s gas mileage and efficiency. It can save you 6% at the gas pump. Regular tune ups and replacement of air filters will help, too.
Be an efficient consumer and choose the most energy efficient appliances and electronics that meet your needs. Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use.