The Green 30

Intrawest ULC at Whistler Blackcomb
Ski resort, Whistler, B.C.

• A $32-million hydroelectric plant under construction within the ski area will produce clean electricity for all operations, offsetting more than 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and making the resort carbon neutral in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
• Full-time “Environmental Coordinator” manages zero-waste goal initiatives; aggressive recycling and composting programs have goal of reducing waste by 75 per cent in food and beverage operations; light timers, temperature control and energy-efficient light bulbs installed in a majority of facilities.
• More than 40 employees participate in a carpool program that uses five company vehicles, saving an estimated 64,000 km of driving, equivalent to more than 200 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
• “Operation Green-Up” program has spent $1.5 million since 1999 enhancing the natural environment, including limiting erosion in watersheds, protecting drinking water and reintroducing native plant seeds and species; works with a local community organization, the Habitat Improvement Team, to protect, restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat in the area, as well as partnering with local government and other area businesses in developing a community sustainability plan called Whistler 2020.
• Trains employees on best environmental practices and hosts ecology and wildlife tours for visitors; has more than 50 environmental interpretive sites throughout the property. (2,853)