Sustainable Slopes

At Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, we believe that the beauty of winter sports should never come at the cost of the environment. For decades, we’ve worked to minimize our environmental footprint while delivering unforgettable mountain experiences. We’re happy to share with you the ways that we work to make our mountain sustainable.

Powering Winter with the Wind: Our Renewable Energy Agreement

Building on a legacy of eco-friendly practices dating back to 1985, Shawnee Mountain has entered a four-year renewable energy agreement with ENGIE Resources, marking a bold step forward in responsible energy use.

Through this partnership, we are purchasing 6,000 Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) annually—a total of 24,000 RECs over the four-year term. These Green-e® certified RECs match 100% of our annual energy usage (6,116 MWh) with wind energy generated by the Priddy Wind Project in Texas. That’s 6 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy added to the grid each year, significantly reducing our carbon footprint.

Why This Matters: Snow, Lifts, and Sustainability

As a ski area, energy is essential to our operations. Chairlifts and snowmaking systems are two of our largest energy consumers, and we’re proud to say that:

• Our chairlifts are powered by electricity, with gas/diesel used only as backup.
• Our entire snowmaking system now runs on electricity—no more diesel compressors.
• We’ve invested millions into upgrading snowmaking efficiency, now operating with 85% automation to reduce waste and maximize output.

By running these systems on 100% renewable energy, we’re showing that sustainability and snow sports can—and should—go hand in hand.

Sustainability Isn’t New Here—It’s What We Do

In addition to our renewable energy transition, Shawnee Mountain has long been committed to eco-conscious upgrades across our mountain. We proudly support the NSAA’s Sustainable Slopes framework and continue to expand our efforts every season.

Here’s a look at just some of our ongoing sustainability initiatives:

✅ Upgraded snowmaking system reduces 550 metric tonnes of carbon per season
✅ LED lighting throughout the resort
✅ Efficient heating & cooling system upgrades
✅ Recycling program and no Styrofoam products
✅ New snow tubes made from recycled materials
✅ Environmentally friendly cleaning products
✅ Air-assisted toilets reduce water usage
✅ Repurposed old surface lift belts around the mountain
✅ Planted evergreens to support reforestation
✅ Donated or resold rental gear that still meets safety standards
✅ Staff participates in yearly spring roadside trash cleanup

This is only a partial list—and we’re always looking for new ways to improve.

Looking Ahead

At Shawnee Mountain, we know that the future of skiing depends on protecting the environment today. With this new renewable energy agreement, we’re proud to lead by example in the ski industry. Whether you’re carving turns in fresh powder or enjoying après at the base, you can feel good knowing that sustainability is part of every run.

Together, we can keep winter wild—and green—for generations to come.

Written on: April 16, 2025  |  Written by: Michaela K., Marketing Asst.