Schweitzer’s Continued Efforts to Maintain the Snow, Environment, and Community
Sustainability
Schweitzer acknowledges the environment is one of our greatest resources and commits to being mindful of such. We aspire to be good stewards of the land and foster a sustainable future as we continue to grow our business.
We operate in a precious environment impacted by various threats including pollution, climate change, and development. We hereby commit to increase efforts to protect our mountain, our livelihood and the region we live in by exploring and implementing reasonable sustainable practices. rich-text, responsive-table
We operate in a precious environment impacted by various threats including pollution, climate change, and development. We hereby commit to increase efforts to protect our mountain, our livelihood and the region we live in by exploring and implementing reasonable sustainable practices. rich-text, responsive-table
The Health of Our Planet. The Future of Snow. The Strength of Our Community.
Change is hard and we know it takes time and effort. But at the end of the day, it's important. Schweitzer is upping its game, doubling down and taking steps toward sustainability. Change won't happen overnight, but it starts with the first step.
- For the love of the Snow
- For the love of the Environment
- For the love of our Community
To cause real change, we need help. So all we ask is, do you have a sec?
- To pick up some trash?
- To recycle that can?
- To bring a coffee cup to work?
- To separate your compost?
- To take the shuttle?
- To start the change?
It starts with a second of your time. rich-text, responsive-table
Change is hard and we know it takes time and effort. But at the end of the day, it's important. Schweitzer is upping its game, doubling down and taking steps toward sustainability. Change won't happen overnight, but it starts with the first step.
- For the love of the Snow
- For the love of the Environment
- For the love of our Community
To cause real change, we need help. So all we ask is, do you have a sec?
- To pick up some trash?
- To recycle that can?
- To bring a coffee cup to work?
- To separate your compost?
- To take the shuttle?
- To start the change?
It starts with a second of your time. rich-text, responsive-table
What Have We Done So Far?
We have only just begun our sustainability journey and will continue to build momentum. Since the start of our efforts toward a more environmentally friendly business, we have accomplished the following:2023-24
- Purchased a new waste oil heater to replace an old system and more efficiently warm our maintenance shop
- Hosted the field portion of a Biochar education day in collaboration with University of Idaho Extension Agriculture Center, USFS, ID Department of Lands, and Resource Synergy
- Replacing ½ of slope lighting with more sustainable option, the other ½ to be replaced next year
2022-23
- Invested in Llumar Low VE35 window films for the Lakeview Lodge to cool the building and avoid air conditioning units
- Added three EV Charging stations and infrastructure for additional future stations (up to 10x). Two dual-wand charging stations are specifically available to our lodging guests one single-wand is for public use
- Changed waste oil collection company to Sequential who not only pays us for our waste product, but turns it into biofuel. 726 gallons have been collected thus far, but this is not a reduction of use
- Endorsed America is All In, Citizen's Climate Lobby, POW and Ceres
- Letter submitting comments to US EPA in regards to EPA's notice of proposed rulemaking on multi-pollutant emissions standards and letters to Senator Crapo
- Wrote letters to Bonner county encouraging their submission of a composting grant
2021-22
- Installed six new water bottle filling stations and purchased thousands of reusable water bottles to discourage single-use water bottles. We gave every passholder a water bottle and we estimate that 6000 were given out, saving two bottled waters per person from hitting the waste stream. At an average weight of 9.9 grams, this calculates a total of 260 pounds of plastic trash avoided annually
- Replaced gas generator with power in our NASTAR race shack
- 24 PTAC units in our Selkirk Lodge were replaced with more energy-efficient thermal heat pumps. Our lodge consists of independently owned units, so the cost was incurred by our condo owners. However, Schweitzer's partner, Resource Synergy, facilitated the decision and petitioned for rebates resulting in an easy financial decision for the owners. According to energy.gov, packaged thermal heat pumps save approximately 3000kWh per year
- Partnered with local CCL chapter leader to write an op-ed published by a local newspaper, Spokesman Review
- Converted waste collection to weight based fee structure allowing Schweitzer to find economic benefit in reducing our waste
- Conducted a composting pilot project for one month to evaluate the most relevant items in our trash to reduce
- Revamped our lift heat monitoring systems to ensure heaters are only used when needed, reducing energy consumption
2020-21
- First year participating in the NSAA Climate Challenge
- First year endorsing the NSAA Sustainable Slopes Program
- Implemented a lighting retrofit in three buildings, which included replacing all fluorescent fixtures with LED fixtures and installing lighting sensors in areas such as Mill Building, and the Lakeview Lodge and Shop. We completed the project in November 2020 and we save an estimated 83,000 kWh per year.
- Began a new chapter of a sustainability committee
- Rebranded our sustainability committee and created a vision statement
- Applied for grants through the State of Idaho to install public EV charging stations
- Awarded funds through the NSAA Sustainable Slopes grant program to replace mini shampoo bottles in our hotel with bulk dispensers. This prevented approximately 14,000 miniature bottles from hitting the waste stream
Prior Years
- Moved to compostable items such as napkins and paper plates
- Measured idle time on groomers and adjusted protocols to work within a set allowable time limit, thus saving fuel
- Upgrades to our recycling bins
- Implemented sustainability challenge project ideas with staff
- Turned to using rechargeable batteries in all soap and paper towel dispensers to reduce waste
Ongoing Efforts
- We purchase our power from a local coop, Northern Lights which purchases power from Bonneville Power Association (some of the cleanest power in the nation). We also engage the Northern Lights board on a regular basis.
- Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates each year to offset emissions.
- Annual spring Village and Road Clean Up - our staff takes the time to care for our place.
- Cardboard recycling
- Paper recycling
- Snow making with top-of-the-line equipment, much of which is gravity-fed
- Wastewater treated in an environmentally friendly system versus a point discharge system
- Donate used uniforms
What Do We Want To Do in the Future?
We recognize Schweitzer needs to make further efforts to reduce the impact of environmental threats. Further, Schweitzer agrees to explore these areas in an effort to extend our reach:
- Composting
- Electric snowmobiles
- Electric groomers
- Electric vehicle fleet
- More EV charging stations
- Manufacture and use biochar to improve forest health
- Collaborate with other entities for a conservation education day
- Generate micro hydro energy generation
- Invasive weed species control/ native plant restoration
- Continue to upgrade equipment to most energy efficient models possible rich-text, responsive-table
- Composting
- Electric snowmobiles
- Electric groomers
- Electric vehicle fleet
- More EV charging stations
- Manufacture and use biochar to improve forest health
- Collaborate with other entities for a conservation education day
- Generate micro hydro energy generation
- Invasive weed species control/ native plant restoration
- Continue to upgrade equipment to most energy efficient models possible rich-text, responsive-table
Emissions
As we grow, we are committed to considering the environment. Balancing growth while minimizing our impact is challenging, but we remain mindful of this responsibility and strive to be transparent in our efforts. We appreciate your support on this journey. rich-text, responsive-table
Our Participation
Sustainable Slopes
Schweitzer is proud to have signed on with NSAA’s Sustainable Slopes program. This program provides an outline for both our company and our guests to help combat adverse impacts to our environment. Schweitzer is pleased to endorse this program and we encourage our guests to take part as well.
NSAA Climate Challenge
In addition to endorsing NSAA’s Sustainable Slopes program, Schweitzer has also recently joined the Climate Challenge. Through this program, Schweitzer commits to taking actions that will target and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Curious how the industry is doing as a whole? Check out the full 2023 Climate Challenge Annual Report from NSAA.
Curious how the industry is doing as a whole? Check out the full 2023 Climate Challenge Annual Report from NSAA.
Our Partners
Resource Synergy
Schweitzer is excited to partner with a Spokane based consultant business, Resource Synergy. This team’s job is to assist Schweitzer in identifying and implementing opportunities to reduce energy consumption and waste generation, while following the Sustainable Slopes guidelines.
Coca-Cola
The Coca Cola company continues to grow their efforts for a more sustainable company and we are proud to carry their product. Coke partners with Schweitzer by backhauling all our plastic bottles and aluminum cans so Coke can recycle them and support their goal to collect and recycle one bottle or can for every one they sell.
National Ski Areas Association
The National Ski Areas Association continues to give attention to environmental matters and support to areas across the country and Canada. They provide opportunities for ski areas to learn about current environmental events, share and collaborate on ways to reduce our impacts, conduct studies to learn further risks and mitigation strategies, and more.
SPOT Bus
The Sandpoint Pend Oreille Transit system assists Schweitzer by transporting 60,000 of our visitors each winter. That means 60,000 guests are not in individual cars helping us keep the air clean.
Steps you can take
Join Protect Our Winters
This organization, founded by fellow snow lover Jeremy Jones, exists to educate and help you “turn your passion into purpose”. Click here to learn more about what POW does and how you can help.
Sign On With CCL
Five bills are currently circulating that include a form of carbon pricing. Citizen’s Climate Lobby is a bipartisan non-profit aimed towards reducing our country’s carbon footprint through legislation and they need your support.
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not." - The Lorax