January 2002

Ski area owners and operators:

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you one of the most exceptional "how to" guides on resort environmental practices that has been produced to date. I strongly encourage all of you to take the time to review this Greening Your Ski Area Handbook carefully, and use it as a resource for analyzing and improving your resort's environmental performance.

This Handbook features practical, proven techniques and technologies that will reduce the environmental impacts of your operations, and result in costs savings along the way. The Handbook goes the extra step of telling resorts how to implement these technologies through helpful tips and resources. This handbook represents a great deal of hard work, energy, and input from people inside and outside the industry. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Tetra Tech EM Inc., The Brendle Group, Aspen Skiing Company and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area are to be commended for their tremendous efforts in making this project a successful one.

The Environmental Charter has provided us a framework for approaching environmental concerns; this Handbook offers valuable, practical advice on how to bring the Environmental Principles of the Charter to life. Both of the government agencies responsible for this handbook, CDPHE and EPA, are partners in the Environmental Charter for Ski Areas. NSAA is extremely grateful to these agencies for their continuing support of our resort environmental programs.

The ski industry has an opportunity to be a leader in promoting environmental awareness and striving to be a model of sustainability. It is my hope that all ski areas will take advantage of that opportunity by implementing the suggestions contained in this Handbook, and in the long run, by continuing to implement the Environmental Principles of the Charter adopted in June 2000.

Michael Berry, NSAA President