CONSERVATION PROVES MOST IMPACTFUL ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURE AT KIRKWOOD

Resort Saves Enough Energy to Power 300 Homes; Plans to Take 1,000 Vehicles Off the Road

(Kirkwood, Calif.) – Over the past year Kirkwood Mountain Resort http://www.kirkwood.com has made significant strides with its environmental policy resulting with initiatives that have conserved enough energy to power over 300 homes and a road sharing program to take 1,000 vehicles off the highway.

An encompassing company energy conservation plan impacted resort operations, purchasing and recycling with policies that have saved energy, raised awareness and set new standards around the resort.

Creating energy efficiency is one of our top initiatives,” stated Allon Cohne, resort marketing director. “Various programs we have initiated have reduced energy consumption by 40 percent.”
Conservation measures amount to a reduction of 2.5 million kilowatt-hours, enough energy to power almost 300 homes for a year. Kirkwood has added 28, high-energy efficiency snow guns allowing the resort to reduce its electrical energy consumption by 35 percent.

To date, over 125 manual light switches have been replaced with motion sensors, 200 inefficient light bulbs were replaced with new compact florescent bulbs, and lighting throughout the resort has been updated with energy efficient electronic ballasts. Appliances in employee housing have been upgraded with energy efficient models. New insulation and caulking has helped reduce heat loss in several buildings.

Kirkwood managers have been trained to focus on smart purchasing and improving reuse and recycling programs in all departments. Food & Beverage has purchased 100 percent biodegradable products and has also developed a partnership with Coors Brewing Company to add 25 new recycling containers around the resort. The Hospitality department has saved over 2,500 gallons of water via guest communication programs on water conservation and reuse of linens and towels. The Kirkwood General Store revamped its purchasing process and is buying 100 percent of its shopping bags as recycled products. All paper products in restrooms are made of recycled paper.  

Kirkwood’s “Share the Road” program is expected to take 1,000 cars off the highway by May of 2008. Last year, Kirkwood invested $425,000 to subsidize daily employee shuttles from South Lake Tahoe, provided employee carpool incentives, and leased vehicles for carpooling -- eliminating 500 cars from the road. This season, the resort plans to multiply its reach by also providing an incentive to guests to carpool via an online social network Carpool Blog, launching in November on the resort’s web site www.kirkwood.com.

Skiers and riders will be able to connect and find others who plan to visit us with similar schedules. Kirkwood’s sponsors: Subaru, O’Neill, Marmot, Clif Bar, and others will provide rewards for those who participate.

As one of the only major resorts in North America not connected to a regional power grid, Kirkwood has shunned the purchase of alternate energy credits for more tangible and tactical ways to reduce its power plant fuel consumption. In 2007, Kirkwood replaced three diesel engines with two new Tier 2 Engines, immediately providing 20 percent greater fuel efficiency and saving over 65,000 gallons of fuel. Tier 2 engines enact filters that scrub over 85 percent of particulates from the exhaust and are certified as Best Available Control Technology. Mountain Utilities is equipped with a solar net metering solution that pushes electricity to the local power grid. Kirkwood uses solar power to assist its ski patrol facilities on the mountain.   

In addition to new environmental initiatives, Kirkwood is continuing its successful sustainability programs from past years. Kirkwood sold over 600 Green Tags during the 2006-07 season, to help develop new wind power generation facilities. Each Green Tag represents the non-power environmental attributes of 1,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy, thus, contributing 600,000 kwh of renewable energy.

In partnership with the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), Kirkwood Lodging entered into an agreement with the National Forest Foundation, a congressionally chartered nonprofit partner of the U.S Forest Service, that every lodging rental unit includes an extra $1 fee to be used for funding local projects within the El Dorado National Forest.

For Kirkwood’s online pressroom, please visit www.kirkwood.com or call 209.258.6000 for information.

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Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a secluded year-round alpine resort community located 35 minutes from South Lake Tahoe and only 177 miles from San Francisco via scenic Highway 88. Located at a base elevation of 7,800 feet, it offers unparalleled mountain recreation with skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in addition to Villages with ice-skating, boutique shopping and restaurants. Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a private retreat, never crowded and receives more snow than any other Tahoe resort. Consistently recognized by national media outlets for its quality snow and terrain variety, this storied resort offers an unmatched experience with a USA Today nationally recognized beginner area. Skiing Magazine readers recognized Kirkwood as one of the top resorts in the nation (November 2006). Ranked Overall as the 12th Resort in the Country, Kirkwood leads Lake Tahoe’s South Shore resorts with a top position. Live on the mountain and ski to your doorstep this winter at Timber Ridge or build your second home at The Palisades, Kirkwood’s most pristine on-mountain residence. Expedition Lodge is the area’s first on-mountain private residence club groundbreaking spring 2007. Visit www.livekirkwood.com or call Kirkwood Mountain Realty (888) 593-7767 for more information. For Kirkwood’s online pressroom, please visit www.kirkwood.com or call 209-258-6000 for information.