ForeverProject
Our Commitment to Net Zero Emissions and Building a Sustainable Tomorrow
Boyne Resorts recognizes human-driven climate change as an urgent issue for the world, as well as for the snowsports industry. In early 2021, we formalized commitments to climate action and announced our ForeverProject. ForeverProject is an initiative to attain a sustainable tomorrow through collaboration, by positively affecting the lasting impact our resorts, team members, and guests have on the planet. Sugarloaf is committed to sustainability, and we're working hard to reduce our environmental impact at every level of resort operations.
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- Power all operations with 100% clean electricity
- Reduce dependence on carbon-based fuels in existing buildings through energy efficiency upgrades and electrification
- Develop and implement high-efficiency green building standards for design and construction of new facility and real estate projects
- Upgrade our lift networks, installing the most technologically advanced lifts, and enhancing the energy efficiency of lift houses
- Install low-energy equipment while expanding snowmaking
- Add on-site renewable energy generation projects
- Monitor emerging technologies to identify opportunities to maximize efficiency and electrification of fleet vehicles and equipment
- Seek partnerships with local and/or meaningful programs to sequester carbon
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- Expand composting- Sugarloaf currently collects food scraps from local restaurants and businesses that are composted on-site
- Enhance recycling -Sugarloaf has enhanced recycling through improved signage and educational training for community members and the recent addition of a community recycling center Fall 2022. While also recycling other waste products such as engine and hydraulic oil in the garage
- Partner with local and non-profit organizations to donate/repurpose items, from uniforms to equipment and technology
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- Participate in community environmental clean-ups in the spring months when the snow melts
- Conserve water through efficiency upgrades and utilize recycled water where possible. Sugarloaf Hotel utilizes an ozone laundry system to cut back on water usage, eliminate, and reduce chemical waste. Sugarloaf also uses Snowfluent technology which utilizes the natural purifying properties of the freezing process to remove impurities and toxins from the area's water
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- Educate team members on the purpose of specific plans and encourage their input and ideas, incorporating the ForeverProject into annual staff training
- Be a leader in the community, educating guests about sustainability and welcoming their participation in initiatives
- Advocate at local, regional, and national levels for policies that promote climate solutions
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- Invest in Team Member housing to address local housing shortages - Sugarloaf Acquired the Herbert Hotel in the 2022 season which introduced 45 additional employee beds
- Encourage and provide options to team members to utilize sustainable modes of transportation, increasing the availability and accessibility of carpool vans and shuttles
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- Promote carpooling and sustainable transportation options to and from our properties. Sugarloaf recognizes the economic and environmental impact of commuting to work in a rural setting. To help employees get to work in a safer and more sustainable manner, Sugarloaf has provided an employee shuttle from Madison to the mountain; in addition, we’ve partnered with Western Maine Transit to provide transportation from Farmington to Sugarloaf.
- Collaborate with local and regional non-profits, government agencies, schools and community organizations. Through the Sugarloaf Charitable Trust, millions of dollars have been dedicated to the fight against cancer, the youth of Maine, and regional Carrabassett programs. The funds donated to these groups and programs help build a robust regional culture of community support and engagement. Sugarloaf also strives to work with local schools and non-profits to donate used gear and equipment.
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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Recycling Resources
Sugarloaf offers on-site recycling at the recycling center behind the Snowbrook PO boxes. This is a single sort station open 24 hours 7 days a week. In order to keep Sugarloaf clean, we ask you to follow the signage to recycle properly.
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Meet Heidi
Heidi Wueste is the sustainability coordinator here at Sugarloaf. She has lived and worked in the area since 2015 and is passionate in supporting Sugarloaf and the local community in its commitment to creating a better tomorrow. Heidi explored the great State of Maine during her time at University of Southern Maine and while interning with the Maine Conservation Corps. Following her love for skiing, it was an easy decision to settle at Sugarloaf where she found one of the best natural playgrounds one could dream of and a unique community of people to be a part of. Heidi is excited to combine her education and experience to help protect the future of outdoor recreation in the Sugarloaf area and the ski industry as a whole. When Heidi isn’t working, you can find her exploring local trails and waterways with her dogs, playing with plants in her garden, or riding the chairlift where you can tell her where the best snow is.
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.
