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Beartooth Basin, a summer ski area in Montana, has been operating off of a diesel generator since the 1960s and is aiming to be the first ski area in North America to be powered 100% by biodiesel. The biodiesel, a cleaner-burning renewable alternative to regular diesel, will be provided by Full Circle Biofuels out of Bozeman, MT.
The idea came from the Mountain Rider’s Alliance-hosted event Summer Shredfest, where passionate skiers and riders gather with common goals of reducing emissions and supporting local businesses. The equipment will initially run on 20% biodiesel and 80% regular diesel (B20). Throughout the season the generator’s performance will be tested with B80 and even B100, as some biofuels may congeal at below-freezing temperatures.
Located at 11,000 feet, where the weather can turn to winter at the drop of a hat, Beartooth Basin has no lodge or warming hut. As one of North America’s oldest ski areas, the owners wanted to offer a variety of skiing activities, such as moguls, park, alpine training, etc, to a diverse group of snowgoers, and to help them enjoy everything that skiing has to offer.
The Basin hopes to influence other ski areas and pave the wave for more alternative fuel options to enter the snow industry.
