Industry News
2023 was the planet’s warmest year on record, according to an analysis by scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). That was the highest global temperature among all years in NOAA’s 1850-2023 climate record. Many ways can help reduce emissions and lower our carbon footprint to make sure we do not continue on the same warming trend that is predicted to continue. Many are turning to electric power vehicles to replace vehicles that were traditionally powered by fossil fuels.
Taos Ski Valley, NM, is leading the way in this movement and is the first ski resort in North America to deploy a fully electric snow groomer. Taos Ski Valley is the world’s first and only certified B Corporation ski resort and has been a certified carbon-neutral company since 2021. Taos is also a four-time Golden Eagle award winner from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), which honors ski resorts’ environmental initiatives. “Our goal is to reduce our carbon emissions to the greatest extent possible, which requires measurable, achievable investments and business changes–one of which is electrifying our fleet,” said Dawn Boulware, Taos Ski Valley’s Vice President of Social and Environmental Responsibility.
Taos is committed to being net-zero by 2030 by being North America’s first ski resort and has an expanding fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles. This includes a Printoh HUSKY eMotion snow groomer, 600 E+hybrid snowcat, nine Taiga electric snowmobiles, a Hisun electric UTV, and four Toro electric snowblowers. Taos’ commitment to significantly reduce grooming and snowmaking emissions and a variety of other energy-saving investments is only one of the things it is doing to be environmentally responsible.
The resort has also invested in 100 percent renewable solar power for running its chairlifts. Taos has invested in 207 high-efficiency HKD snow guns to improve its snowmaking capabilities which will also reduce energy and water use. Taos has additionally upgraded many of its older buildings to be more energy efficient using Silver-LEED Blake Hotels uses ground source heat pumps to heat and cool the building. Taos also has an on-site composter that diverts over 40,000 pounds of waste from going to a landfill which will help support natural ecosystems that reduce methane gas that would emit from a landfill.
Taos also works with The Nature Conservancy’s Rio Grande Water Fund whose mission is to restore 600,000 acres of forests and headwaters of the Rio Grande. It has installed EV chargers throughout the resort to make it easier and more attractive for guests and staff to drive electric vehicles. “We continue to seek and introduce innovative technologies that may help us meet our aggressive environmental goals, which are ultimately aimed at protecting our incredible mountain environment for generations to come,” Boulware said
Independently owned and operated, Taos Ski Valley strives to be better, not bigger. Taos’ mission is to provide its guests with the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors while also being environmentally responsible. “Our mantra is to be better, not bigger, and this investment exemplifies that. Achieving net-zero carbon emissions is the right thing to do for our community, our local environment, and the entire outdoor recreation industry, which is on the frontline of the climate crisis. We’re grateful to the teams at PistenBully and Kässbohrer All-Terrain Vehicles that partnered with us and worked to help us secure this new snowcat,” David Norden, CEO of Taos Ski Valley said.
For more information visit Taos Ski Valley’s website.
