The SkiGreen™ program is a partnership between the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) and participating ski areas, such as Mt. Hood Meadows, that are concerned about the impact of climate change on the winter sports community.
Greenhouse gas emissions can contribute to unusually warm winter temperatures and a less reliable snowpack in the mountains. To combat these effects, ski area guests can purchase SkiGreen offsets to support clean renewable energy and reduce the impacts of activities such as driving to and from ski areas.
Each SkiGreen offset represents 100 kilowatt-hours of wind energy production and offsets approximately 150 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. This translates to a reduction in the impact of driving an average car for roughly 150 miles. Ski area guests can purchase a SkiGreen offset for $2.00 at the lift ticket window in addition to a one-day lift ticket. In return, guests will receive one SkiGreen mini-offset sticker to proudly display, and a discounts ranging from free appetizers to discounts at ten Hood River business establishments. The revenues from SkiGreen sales are distributed to renewable energy projects such as BEF's Solar 4R Schools program and community wind farms.
Since 2003, Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort has purchased renewable energy certificates from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) to offset a portion of the resort's energy usage, including the resort's Shooting Star and Vista Express lifts. Over the next four years Mt. Hood Meadows will increase its wind power purchase to match 100% of the resort's electricity use.
In the 2004 ski season, the resort collaborated with BEF to create the SkiGreen program and encouraged snow sport enthusiasts to help promote renewable energy. Mt. Hood Meadows was the first ski area to participate in the SkiGreen program and it was hugely successful. Within that first year, guests offset a total of 27, 300 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the winter season.
The SkiGreen program has benefited immensely from Mt. Hood Meadows' involvement through the years. In addition to helping pioneer the mini-offset concept with BEF, the resort has raised more funds for the program than any other participant. Mt. Hood Meadows' success served as an example to ski resorts across the country and helped grow the SkiGreen program to a national level. Currently, over 20 ski areas participate in the SkiGreen program.