Arthur De Jong

Whistler Blackcomb is in a business where climate change can look like a double black diamond cliff, so understandably, the mountain resort has long been a leader in baking sustainability into operations. Which makes some of their more recent accomplishments look pretty special. Waste, already down by 70% in the prior 10 years has declined a further 50% since 2013. New anti-idling policies and staff initiatives cut fossil fuel use by 6% in 2014. Hybrid snow cats are expected to save 20% of their fossil fuel use. Between conservation (a further million dollars in savings in 2014), efficiency retrofits and the creation of a micro-hydro generator on site, the mountain now produces as much electricity as it needs annually. Staff housing at the base of the mountain is the largest in the industry, virtually eliminating the need for cars. And the path to get to fully neutral is laid out in Arthur’s 125 page plan – looking distinctly like a green run!