Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain face each other. Their physical connection at the base would suggest similarities between them. But, this is a story of how two mountains can create two completely different skiing or snowboarding experiences. A view from the valley foreshadows the mountain's stories.
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Environmental initiatives for 2010.2011 at Whistler Blackcomb include three energy projects that will represent over 1.3 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in electrical savings, or the equivalent amount of power it takes to run 74 homes in British Columbia for one year.
The first project is an energy awareness and behavioral program in partnership with the province’s energy supplier, BC Hydro, designed to reduce energy use in all on-mountain buildings. Whistler Blackcomb, one of five companies selected to participate in this program, is aiming to reduce its energy consumption by about two per cent or 860,000 kWH.
Other projects include the BC Hydro Continuous Optimization program at the Roundhouse Lodge to save an estimated seven per cent in energy, and an efficient lighting project in Whistler Blackcomb’s staff housing.
This savings adds to the existing 4.5 million kilowatt hours of power savings annually that has resulted from previous BC Hydro projects. This saves enough electricity to power 450 homes in British Columbia for a year.
We have changed more than 11,000 light bulbs to more efficient models and continue to pursue energy saving opportunities.
Through reduction, reuse and recycling measures, particularly in the food and beverage division, we have reduced our waste by more than 60% since 1998. We have cut emissions through the purchase of low emission snowmobiles, building retrofits and our employee carpooling program. Our building retrofits have saved over 850 tonnes of emissions.
Whistler Blackcomb’s food and beverage department consists of 18 restaurants - 11 on-mountain and 7 locations in the valley. Their environmental initiatives include:
Providing reusable Coca-Cola cold drink cups and Seattle’s Best coffee mugs instead of single-use cups. Use of reusable dishes and cutlery in serveries
