Sugarloaf is committed to sustainability, and we're working hard to reduce our environmental impact at every level of resort operations. Over the next few years, we'll continue to utilize a combination of cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned Maine ingenuity to increase efficiency, reduce waste and emissions, and ensure the health of our natural resources for generations to come. Our efforts are in coordination with Forever Project, Boyne Resort's goal of reducing carbon emissions to net zero throughout North American operations by 2030.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Mindful Efficiency
Create and maintain a culture of reduction: energy use, waste output, water impact; balanced with maximized utilization of our human, technological, natural, and financial resources.
Tireless Conservation
Protect the natural environment unwaveringly, ensuring proper use for purposes related to outdoor recreation, and preserving or rehabilitating the land over which we are stewards.
INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION
Support and reward outreach and partnerships that extend beyond all traditional boundaries, providing deeply valuable impact among our team members, and in our communities, industry, and environment for the long term.
NET ZERO EMISSIONS
Boyne Resorts’ operations throughout North America will achieve 100% renewable energy for the 2020/21 Winter season and will maintain a commitment to clean power into the future.
- By sourcing a global purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs), all resorts and city facilities will reach 100% clean power
- Early 2021 installation of a large-scale solar array at Boyne Mountain Resort in Michigan will serve as a pilot for installation projects to take place at multiple locations in the resort network
- Strengthening relationships with suppliers committed to renewable energy becomes a priority along with guiding the outlying suppliers to develop and execute timely plans for use of clean power
NSAA CLIMATE CHALLENGE
Led by National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), Climate Challenge is a voluntary program dedicated to helping participating ski areas target and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, engage in advocacy on climate change solutions, and reap other benefits in their operations, such as reducing costs for energy use. As a member, Sugarloaf has access to formal training and tools to conduct a GHG inventory and identify opportunities for reductions and savings, and the ability to benchmark operations against others.
Participation requires endorsement of NSAA’s Sustainable Slopes program including a pledge to the following, as well as prioritized focus on areas such as water, waste, transportation, design and construction, forest health and habitat, and supply chain:
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Incorporate sustainability into all aspects of our resorts
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Lead by example, and educate employees and guests about sustainability
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Place collaboration over competition when it comes to sustainability
- Advocate for climate protection
Offset Your Trip
We invite our guests to play an active role in minimizing their carbon footprint - offset your trip to Sugarloaf with our partner Tradewater.
Making a Difference
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Community
Sugarloaf is more than a place, it's a community, made up of generations of 'Loafers' who have found their place here in the mountains. The riders, skiers, and employees that return here year after year are the reason Sugarloaf is so ingrained in the community, and as a community, we have the power to make a difference: we can commit to caring for those who make our success possible.
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Advocacy
Sugarloaf relies on cold winters, snowfall, and stable weather patterns; without these essential elements, our winters will become shorter, snowfall will decrease, and skiing as we know (and love) it will fundamentally change forever. Through various acts of advocacy, Sugarloaf is able to leverage its platform to help educate the public on climate change, ensure that the government is considering climate change throughout their policy decisions, and help take the industry in a new direction.
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Operations
Sugarloaf has a rich history of environmental stewardship and recognizes that now is the time to dedicate our resources to dictate the outcome of climate change. All departments are engaged in our sustainability efforts in order to ensure we are fully integrating environmental awareness into our daily operations. In the coming years, these efforts will be expanded upon to help us reach our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
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Meet Zoe
Zoe Zeerip is Sugarloaf's Sustainability Coordinator. Hailing from Michigan, Zoe’s mid-western work ethic makes her a great addition to the Sugarloaf community. Leading up to Zoe’s time at the Loaf she coordinated waste minimization efforts at KeyBank Pavilion in Pittsburgh, built energy efficient straw bale homes in Moab, UT, and worked as the Michigan Field Representative for Protect Our Winters. Zoe plans to create a sustainability framework that will create a unified understanding of sustainability at Sugarloaf. Through innovative strategies learned throughout her years leading sustainability efforts, Zoe will lead Sugarloaf's efforts to reduce its environmental impact. When Zoe isn’t working, she is likely mountain biking, petting a dog, or hitting the slopes.
Latest Updates
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Boyne Resorts Moves To 100% Renewable Electric Energy Across North American Operations
Announces Environmental Sustainability Plan and Goal of Zero Net Carbon Emissions by 2030
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Sugarloaf Resort Switch To 100% Renewable Electricity with Renewable Energy Credits
Boyne Resorts purchased Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to offset 100% of electricity use
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Climate Collaborative Charter
Four Largest Ski Industry Leaders Announce Joint Commitment to Fight Climate Change
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Sugarloaf Upgrades 113 Snow Guns with Help from Efficiency Maine
Sugarloaf recently received two grants from Efficiency Maine, totaling $198,000.
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Sugarloaf 2020 Sustainability Report
For the first time, we're publishing a comprehensive Sustainability Report. Read it here.
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Sugarloaf Joins the Protect Our Winters Resort Alliance
Sugarloaf is proud to say we are joining forces with Protect our Winters to combat climate change.
