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The Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort has not been in the news as much as Aspen Skiing Company and Vail Resorts as of late because they have purchased alternative energy supplies for this year. However, that doesn’t mean that there are not alternatives being sought at Whistler-Blackcomb. Intrawest was recently purchased by a New York investment firm, yet rumor is that motions are still being made to implement an alternative power supply. While the management of the property is up in the air a bit, the idea that the ski resort should find its own clean energy source is not at all in question. In fact, many say that if any resort is going to supply all of their own clean power that Whistler-Blackcomb should be the first.
The ski real estate company has long talked about creating a microhydro plant. Originally the plan had been to get the plant running by 2010, when Whistler will host bits and pieces of the Winter Olympics. While this goal is still possible there are also talks about using a wind turbine for power, though testing needs to be done this winter to see if the winds are too gusty to provide sustained operation from such a power source. The resort, which runs a large area of ski real estate, aims to outdo what Vail, Aspen, and Crested Butte have done by purchasing alternative power supplies from providers far and wide. Whistler-Blackcomb would like to get to the point that they are able to provide everything that they consume right on their own premises. It would be the first undertaking of its kind, but many say that it is possible.
With global warming and such ski real estate owners have to pay attention to how things are changing and how they can change their business accordingly. Ski resorts are smart to think ahead now as those that own ski real estate and related companies in the future may have to meet state and federal requirements related to greenhouse gases and what their power usage may mean for the air quality. Ski real estate and ski resort owners should actually step up and start working toward creating regulations about the emissions of greenhouse gases. As an industry that is based on the environment, it’s essential that we take care of the world we live in, and Whistler-Blackcomb seems to be one of the most innovative in this arena. If they are able to pull off their plans they will set a good example for all of their counterparts.
It should be interesting to watch Whistler-Blackcomb amongst others charge forward in their efforts to turn back the hands of time and combat global warming. The ski industry is a great industry to lead this fight against global warming because people will listen because they love to ski! And, if things don’t change, skiing could well become a thing of the past in many of these areas that are known for their beautiful ski real estate.
Keywords: ski real estate
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