Squaw Valley USA, and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains, provide one of the most spectacular settings in the world. However, the privilege of access is accompanied by a responsibility to preserve many of the areas fragile ecosystems. Squaw Valley Ski Corp. takes this responsibility very seriously and is committed to utilizing new ways to preserve the surroundings in which we live, work and play.

To complement Squaw Valley’s current environmental programs, in June of 2000, the Ski Corp joined many other resorts across the country in adopting the National Ski Areas Association’s (NSAA) Environmental Charter – Sustainable Slopes. The Charter includes a set of voluntary principals for protection of the alpine areas in which resorts operate, and it formalizes the industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The vision behind this effort encourages resorts to be leaders among outdoor recreation providers, managing their businesses in a way that demonstrates their commitment to environmental protection and stewardship while meeting the expectations of the public. The formalization of Squaw Valley’s environmental improvement goals and procedures aims to restore and protect this recreational environment, and to ensure the health and quality of the immediate surroundings.

Each year Squaw Valley USA continues to implement steps toward the completion of a twelve-year environmental improvement initiative with ongoing programs, research, and new plans for the future.

There are many things that you can do to help! Click here for some easy ways to help Squaw Valley USA contribute to a pristine mountain environment. Also, check out the National Ski Area Association's new campaign "Keep Winter Cool".

Squaw Valley's Environmental Values
"The environment is our asset. A beautiful and pristine mountain experience brings our guests and employees to Squaw Valley. It is our duty to make every effort to protect that experience."

-Nancy Wendt, President of Squaw Valley Ski Corp.

Environmental Policies
The Environmental Charter has three basic components:
1. Planning, Design and Construction
2. Operations
3. Education

Within each of these components are environmental principles, encompassing efficient energy and water use, water quality management and preservation of wetlands and riparian areas. Further, the Environmental Charter outlines methods for achieving those principles or "options for getting there."

Of the many action items outlined in the Charter, Squaw Valley Ski Corp. has concentrated its efforts on the following principals. These include:

• Education/Outreach
• Energy & Water Use
• Forest & Vegetative Management
• Wetlands
• Water Quality Management
• Transportation
• Waste Management

Education & Outreach
Because of their setting in an outdoor, natural environment and the clear connection between that natural environment and the guest experience, ski areas have an excellent opportunity to take a leadership role in environmental education and in enhancing the environmental awareness of their guests, surrounding communities, and employees.

Ski Corp introduced Squaw Ecology for the 1999/2000 winter season. This educational program was developed and designed to educate resort guests and community members about the ski area’s natural environment and the importance of environmental preservation.

The program featured interpretive signs located on the upper mountain detailing the trees, animals and streams that make up Squaw’s ecosystem, as well as a brochure, stickers, and a coloring book to enhance the on-hill education. The program is in the process of being updated and improved for the 2004-2005 winter season.

Community outreach programs include:

• School Groups: Squaw Valley works with local school groups as part of their curriculum to learn about the resort’s Environmental Programs and about Safety.

• Trash Pick-Up: Each Spring, Squaw hosts school groups to help clean up trash in the base area. In addition, Squaw’s parking and transportation department take care of valley wide clean up along Squaw Valley Road.

• Highway Cleanup: Squaw Valley sponsors a three-mile section of Hwy 80 and sends staff throughout the summer to maintain the highway.

• Facility Tours: Tours for local school children of Squaw’s Funitel and Children’s Center facilities, both boasting highly sophisticated geothermal and solar heating designs.

• Truckee River Watershed Council: Squaw donates funds to this group and participates with carious committees and events such as Truckee River Day.

• Winter Tours: Squaw has hosted several "Ski with a Ranger" days emphasizing the natural environment.

• Summer Tours: Each summer Squaw hosts several "Hike with a Ranger" days that educate guests about the flora, fauna, geology and natural wilderness of this region of the Sierra.

• Tree Planting: During the fall of 2000, fifty middle school students planted seedlings in the Gold Coast area.

Energy & Water Use in Facilities
Ski areas can be leaders in implementing energy efficiency techniques and increasing the use of renewable energy sources within their operations to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution and greenhouse gases and reduce the potential impacts of climate change.

Squaw Valley Ski Corp. has implemented revolutionary technology to reduce energy use throughout its facilities in an effort to conserve energy and protect valuable natural resources.

In 2000 Squaw Valley replaced the drive in the Cable Car which resulted in the significant reduction of kilowatt hours used by the popular lift. For the full story, click here.

The incineration process, used in Squaw Valley’s recycling efforts, is one of the most efficient ways to dispose of solid waste and reduces the amount of garbage sent to landfills. In addition, the heat generated as a by-product of the process is used to heat the Gold Coast complex, reducing the need for fossil fuels.

Hardy Herger, Squaw Valley’s Technical Consultant, has designed and implemented a geothermal heat pump system at the 12,000 square foot SquawKids Children's Center facility.

The heat pump system is the only one of its kind in the United States and uses the natural energy of the earth (heat stored beneath the earth’s surface) to heat water, which is subsequently used to heat the entire building.

[more on the heat pump system]

The Olympic Ice Pavilion utilizes the most technologically advanced refrigeration system of its kind. A state of the art heat exchanger freezes the ice of the Olympic Ice Pavilion while simultaneously heating the Swimming Lagoon & Spa, the surrounding decks and walkways and the interior of the High Camp Bath & Tennis Club.

The Gold Coast Funitel also uses a similar heat exchange system. The heat generated by the lift’s motors is used to heat the floor hydronics throughout the building, while cold air, a by product of the heat exchange system, is recycled back to the engine room to cool the motors.

Forest & Vegetative Management

Ski areas recognize the importance of stewardship in managing the forests and vegetation that support ecosystems and allow for public recreation opportunities. Sound forest and vegetative management can benefit fish and wildlife habitat, water quality and viewsheds and reduce erosion, pollution, and greenhouse gases.

Ski resort operations can potentially impact vegetation, which in turn can increase soil erosion and damage the quality of local watersheds.

To combat this, Squaw Valley has created an environmental improvement department devoted to projects such as erosion control, revegetation (incorporating the use of natural grasses and wildflowers) and the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for construction projects.

Squaw Valley’s efforts to improve the mountain’s natural vegetation, riparian areas, and wetlands all contribute positively to water quality. The Valley’s forested and revegetated land absorbs rain, refills underground aquifers, cleanses water, slows winter runoff, reduces flooding, and overall, sustains watershed stability and resilience.

Squaw Valley Ski Corp works diligently to preserve native and naturalized plant populations and their communities by collecting tree, shrub, grass and flower seeds from around the resort. The tree and shrub seeds are germinated at local nurseries, returned to Squaw Valley, and planted. The grass and flower seeds are dried and shipped back to Squaw Valley where they are redistributed. The seed is mixed with water and fertilizer and then the solution is distributed onto a seedbed. The material is then covered with a blanket of mulch and/or straw followed by a biodegradable netting to protect the seeds and enhance growth. It can take anywhere from a few months to several years for the vegetation to become completely established, depending on the type of seed, the slope aspect and pitch, soil composition and water availability.

Squaw Valley’s seed mix includes a variety of grasses and native flowers such as Shasta Daisy, Indian Paintbrush, Yarrow, Slender Wheatgrass, Mountain Brome, Blue Wildrye, Big Bluegrass, Spanish Clover and Lupine.

Common revegetation projects include seeding terminal areas and reseeding roads. Erosion control projects include road eradication and drainage improvements.

Squaw Valley USA also utilizes heavy mulch application as part of revegetation efforts. The pine needles used for this type of mulching, in addition to protecting the plants, decay in time and enrich the soil, restoring the natural Ph and adding organic material to the soil. The amount of organic material affects the structure, color, texture, and moisture-holding capacity of the soil, which improves the ability for plants to thrive. Mulch application, whether pine needles, wood chips or straw, creates a physical barrier protecting soil from damage by rainfall or runoff.

Projects during the 2003 Summer, completed by an environmental improvement staff of eight, included:

• Planting of 600 shrubs to augment natural vegetation
  
• The application of over 1,800 pounds of seed, 190 cubic yards of humus, 300 cubic yards of wood chips, 480 yards of pine needles and 224 bales of straw to Squaw Valley’s slopes to help stabilize potential erosion.
  
• Over 5,000 wooden stakes and 18 rolls of fiber blanket were installed by hand to help protect freshly planted seeds.
  
• Squaw Valley also continued with its native seed collection program.
  
• Staff utilized a new Shred Vac in revegetation efforts this summer to enhance progress. This revolutionary machine is a unique all-in-one collector, shredder and spreader that can vacuum and manually or mechanically load, shred and apply mulch consisting of pine needles, wood chips and humus for a multitude of erosion and stormwater control, landscaping and revegetation applications. This tool allowed staff to more efficiently and effectively cover areas of concern to maximize growth. The plants and seeds were then watered by several miles of temporary irrigation lines, installed by hand, and treated with organic fertilizer to ensure proper root development and plant health.
  
• Squaw Valley also utilized over 480 cubic yards of pine needles collected from the community that were re-used as eco-friendly mulch on the resort’s slopes. The needles are a renewable resource that are used in revegetation efforts to increase the water retention and nourishment of the soil as well as help protect plant roots and keep weeds under control.

Major undertakings during the 2002 summer included two specific projects on towers 4 and 6 of the Funitel.

The tower 4 project included the planting of over 500 plants, topsoil application and seeding, the elimination of a temporary access road, and the hand-installation of over 10,000 wooden stakes to secure enormous erosion control blankets to protect the ground surface.

Around tower 6, Squaw Valley staff completed another major project, which included the installation of erosion control blankets, application of a handpicked native and naturalized seed mix, and the removal of a potential source of sediment.

Additional accomplishments during the 2002 summer included:

Squaw Valley Ski Corp. invested over $500K and hundreds of manhours in extensive revegetation efforts, and a comprehensive, summer-long, assessment of the mountain.

The mountain-wide facility assessment was designed to allow the Ski Corp. to characterize the erosion potential of all areas of the mountain and to identify any places that need to be further improved. The assessment utilized a work plan and protocols specifically designed for Squaw Valley’s unique terrain by a registered geologist, an engineer and an environmental specialist. Assessment teams covered the mountain and completed detailed ground surveys of thousands of acres of terrain, identifying various mountain features including roads, drainage crossings, eroded areas, ski runs, structures and trails. Work included collecting soil samples and gathering information about the pitch, aspect and elevation of the landscape, the height and size of mountain features and the amount of vegetation in specific areas.

The data collected last summer was analyzed and is being used to develop an extensive water quality improvement plan. The Ski Corp has also submitted plans for a completely new parking lot storm-water drainage treatment system.

• The planting of over 1,500 shrubs and seedlings to augment natural vegetation.
  
• Squaw also applied over 2,000 pounds of seed to resort slopes.
  
• The plants and seeds were watered by several miles of temporary irrigation lines and treated with organic fertilizer to ensure proper root development and plant health.
  
• More than 100,000 pounds of wood fiber mulch were applied to Squaw Valley’s slopes to help curb erosion.
  
• Squaw Valley utilized several tons of pine needles as eco-friendly mulch on the resort’s slopes. The needles are a renewable resource that are used in revegetation efforts to increase the water retention and nourishment of the soil as well as to help protect plant roots and keep weeds under control.
  
• Squaw Valley also continued efforts to eliminate invasive weeds.

Major accomplishments during the 2001 summer included:

• The application of 1000 pounds of seed mix, several hundred bitterbrush, manzanita, snowberry and western serviceberry seedlings
  
• The planting of approximately 50 wild roses
  
• The distribution of 4 tons fiber mulch, 60 yards pine needles, 1020 bales of straw, 2000 feet of straw waddles and 5 tons of organic fertilizer to various projects around the resort.
  
• In greening efforts, the crew used 1500 feet of environmental fence, over 100 large sprinkler heads, miles of sprinkler pipe, one wood chipper and hundreds of man-hours.

Major accomplishments during the 2000 summer included:

The planting of 1,200 trees, and 2,000 shrubs to augment natural vegetation (many of the seeds were previously collected on the mountain in past summers and grown at local nurseries).

The resort applied 1,500 pounds of seed and 75 tons of wood fiber mulch to its slopes to curb erosion. Squaw Valley also used a helicopter to distribute much of the mulch to avoid unnecessary mountain disturbances.

The resort decommissioned several mountain roads to further decrease disturbances to the natural environment.

Squaw Valley has taken steps to eliminate two invasive weeds from the resort’s slopes, the Spotted Knapweed and the Hoary Cress or Whitetop. Invasive plants are a major concern in this region as the competitive nature of these types of plants replaces diverse plant communities with an unproductive monoculture that severely impacts varied environments.

White Top	Spotted Knapweed

Wetlands
Ski areas recognize that wetlands and riparian areas are crucial components of the alpine ecosystems in which they operate.

A wetland is a swampy or marshy area with characteristics of both dry land and bodies of water. Wetlands typically occur in low-lying areas that receive fresh water at the edges of lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers. Here water stands at or near the ground surface, forming a habitat for different types of plants and wildlife. Wetlands can act as reservoirs for flood control, taking in excess water from urban streams during rainy seasons and they are natural sediment filters

Ski Corp is dedicated to preserving and improving wetland areas within the resort. In 2000 staff completed an engineered wetland project encompassing over an acre surrounding the Gold Coast Pond. Shallow water areas, levees, and water-control structures were constructed in order to restore the natural hydrology of the property and improve habitat for wetland-dependent wildlife. It was critical to build the proper topographic features, and ensure that the project provided for appropriate water flows to encourage growth of wetland vegetation, which was planted from seed. By successfully maintaining the wetland, the Ski Corp hopes to reduce flooding and erosion, improve water quality, and increase the population of many plants and animals.

During 2002 maintenance included the application of up to 60 yards of special topsoil, the application of a special ‘wetlands’ seed mix, the installation of a new irrigation system to promote growth, and the transplanting of numerous willow shrubs.

The Thriving Gold Coast Wetland

Most areas of the wetland are now functioning perfectly, while other areas will require further monitoring and minor adjustment in order to duplicate the processes, which occur in naturally occurring wetlands.

Water Quality Management
Water is an important resource for ski areas as well as the surrounding natural environments and communities, and should be used as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Ski Corp engages in substantial water quality monitoring within the watershed in order to ensure the ongoing health of the Squaw Valley ecosystem and of Squaw Creek and the Truckee River. The Resort collects water samples from several sites during periods when runoff occurs. The sampling sites and schedule for collection were determined in coordination with State regulatory authorities, which have helped the company to ensure that the program yields useful data.

Water monitoring ensures water quality

After the samples are collected, they are shipped to an independent analytical laboratory that analyzes them for constituents of concern. (In Squaw Valley, the most important potential pollutant is sediment, which naturally enters the water through snowmelt and runoff.) Ski Corp uses the sample data diagnostically, in order to identify areas that may benefit from further environmental enhancement, drainage improvement, or revegetation.

Over time, it is possible to see the effects of many of the Ski Corp’s Environmental Improvement efforts, and to identify new avenues for improvement.

Vegetation, riparian areas, and wetlands all contribute positively to water quality. Therefore, Ski Corp’s Forest and Vegetative Management program is the resort’s best tool to keep sediment from entering runoff.

Erosion is the removal of rock and soil material by natural processes, such as snow, water, ice and wind. Erosion transports earthen material after the process of weathering has broken bedrock down into smaller, moveable pieces. One method of controlling the effect this erosive process has on the natural environment is to stabilize areas of runoff. By adding a protective mound of stones to the existing channels of runoff, the water is controlled and basins can be built to collect sediment from runoff in order to preserve water quality.

Sediment Basins promote water quality

The resort has installed numerous "sedimentation basins" where water is collected and slowed down in its natural course down the valley. These basins collect water flows, allowing sediment to fall to the bottom of the ponds before water is discharged from the holding areas.

During the late summer and fall, the sediment basins are emptied and the material is removed to areas where it will not be prone to re-erode. The cleaned basins are then available to capture sediment from water flows during the upcoming season.

Each summer, Squaw Valley works with the Truckee River Habitat Restoration Group to assist with efforts to restore the Truckee River Watershed and promote a healthy river system.

Squaw Valley provides funds that are used to help bring the community together on Truckee River Day as well as promote coordinated watershed assessment and resource management. Squaw Valley also provides employees and vehicles and encourages others to participate in Truckee River Day, a celebration of the river at the heart of our region.

Truckee River Day offers the community the chance to clean up our habitat, revegetate, and learn about the regions natural resources. In 2002 Ski Corp’s staff spent the day harvesting willows to be replanted at a restoration site in Coldstream Canyon in Truckee.

Transportation
Travel to and within ski areas has unavoidable impacts. Through transportation initiatives, ski areas can do their part to help ease congestion and impacts to air quality and improve the ski area experience.

Squaw Valley USA is the only resort in the Tahoe basin to offer daily ski shuttles from around Lake Tahoe and from Reno. Squaw Valley also works with the Tahoe Queen, the only waterborne ski taxi in the world, bringing skiers from the South Shore across the lake on a classic paddlewheeler.

Each of these options not only provides a convenient and hassle-free way to get to the slopes, but it also decreases traffic and eliminates parking problems.

Squaw Valley also works with the county to create a "3-lane" traffic program to ease congestion and monitor traffic during peak periods.

Ski Corp places a major emphasis on getting its own employees to use environmentally sensitive modes of transit to and from work. Ski Corp pays the bill so that all of the resort’s employees, and the employees of other businesses located in the base area, are entitled to ride Tahoe Area Rapid Transit to and from work each day free of charge. Squaw Valley provides approximately $20,000 in annual funding to the TART program each year in order to supplement revenues collected from non-employee riders.

Ski Corp employees who drive their own cars to work receive incentives when they carpool.

In early 2003 Squaw Valley also partnered with the web-based carpooling service alternetrides.com. This free online service is available to resort guests and offers an easy connection to ridesharing information from many locations around California and Northern Nevada. To participate, visit www.alternetrides.com and click on the ski resorts link to find or offer a ride to Squaw Valley.

In addition, Squaw Valley sponsors the Highway 80 Clean-up Program to help maintain the cleanliness of our state highway.

In August of 2000, Squaw Valley Ski Corp. joined a broad based coalition of local residents and business owners in support of local Measure E by donating $10,000 to the cause. Measure E’s goal was to reduce traffic on Tahoe roads by funding coordinated shuttle services and other transportation improvements.

Squaw Valley saw the measure as a significant step towards reducing the growing problem of traffic congestion and improving air quality in the Tahoe basin.

The completion Intrawest’s new Village at Squaw Valley has increased lodging in the base area further reducing the need for vehicle use.

The Village has created several hundred new units and a substantial new commercial area. Together, these amenities have provided an experience that allows visitors to stay in the Valley for several days, thus decreasing individual vehicle trips.

We expect that the new Village will continue to attract even more guests from across the nation and the world. These guests are likely to stay for several days, whereas guests from the immediate region are likely to stay for shorter durations, but visit more frequently.

Guests who visit from distant locales often do so without making use of personal vehicles, and are apt to stay longer, thus adding fewer incremental vehicle trips.

Ski Corp is working with County and State officials to encourage the use of mass transit, and to anticipate changing transit needs in our area.

Waste Management
The Principles below incorporate the "REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE" philosophy of waste management to help ensure materials are being used efficiently and disposed of only after consideration is given to reusing or recycling them. Reducing waste helps protect natural resources, reduce pollution, greenhouse gases and energy use by decreasing the need to produce new materials, and minimizes disposal costs.

Squaw Valley was a 2003 Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) winner for our contribution to waste reduction efforts. Click here to learn more about the award!

Squaw Valley has instituted a comprehensive recycling program.

• Tier one targets Squaw Valley’s guests. In conjunction with the Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal Company, recycling bins for glass and aluminum have been strategically placed in key, high traffic areas throughout the resort.
• Next season Squaw Valley will also be asking guests to recycle trail maps (in decent condition) for future guests to use. Special map recycling bins will be placed at several high traffic areas of the resort.
• Tier two of the recycling program takes place behind the scenes. All Ski Corp. offices are equipped with recycling containers for paper. Each year Squaw Valley Ski Corp. recycles over 4 tons of paper products. Prior to the recycling process, staff are encouraged to reuse paper in resort fax machines, make double sided copies as well as utilize the resort intranet and email to communicate between departments.

• The third tier incorporates a solid waste incinerator. All solid waste from Squaw Valley’s mid-mountain complexes, Gold Coast and High Camp, is vaporized in an incinerator, which is 99.99% efficient. All recyclable materials are recovered prior to incineration.
• Tier four takes place in Squaw Valley’s vehicle shops where the staff recycles all oil and hydraulic fluids, tires and batteries. Squaw Valley also uses only MTBE free gasoline. An on-site system also recycles all anti-freeze products.

In early 2001, Squaw Valley installed tier five, a state-of-the-art trash compactor (know as a Waste Reduction System) for the base area facilities. This new system greatly reduces the size of trash to be removed from the premises.

The Future

Projects already in the planning stages for the 2004 summer include the maintenance of previously eliminated mountain roadways to further curb erosion, increased water conservation, additional runoff treatment measures to ensure water quality, improved drainage structures and runoff conveyances and expanded recycling efforts.

Squaw Valley’s Technical Director, Hardy Herger is researching additional environmental improvement initiatives such as the implementation of wind and solar power on the upper mountain, which could further contribute to the goal of emissions reduction.
We remain committed to embracing environmentally progressive practices and work will continue to ensure that the mountain’s beauty is sustained for generations to come.

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