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Wachusett Mountain Ski Area: One of the “Greenest” mountains in the US!

CONTACT: Tom Meyers tom@wachusett.com
978-464-2300 (ext. 3700)

PRINCETON, MA – In an era when tourist attractions and ski areas across the country are just beginning to go “green,” Wachusett Mountain Ski Area has been and continues to be a leader in promoting environmentally-friendly tourism both regionally and nationally.

For more than 25 years, the ski area has made protecting the mountain’s natural resources -- while providing a valuable recreational opportunity to Massachusetts residents -- one of its primary focuses. From simple environmental protection measures to more comprehensive conservation initiatives, Wachusett’s long history of developing programs to protect the natural resources of the region has been a model for ski areas across the country and has earned numerous awards.

The ski area’s commitment to environmental programs is stronger than ever. To supplement the long list of initiatives already in place, Wachusett has been involved in two major new environmentally-themed programs during the past year:

Public Transportation

Ski Train from Boston – In partnership with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad, for the 2006-2007 Wachusett began weekend (Sat. & Sun. morning) “Ski Train” service from Boston’s North Station to the nearby Fitchburg commuter rail station with complimentary shuttle service to the mountain. The service was expanded in 2007-2008 to include Saturday night service.

Environmental Education

No Child Left Inside – Wachusett helped support the new Ma. Department of Conservation & Recreation environmental education initiative at its annual KidsFest event by providing complimentary admission and SkyRide tickets to program participants to have access to DCR programs including a Birds of Prey display, Hawk Watch guide and Ponding demonstration.

Here is a summary of other “green” programs at the mountain:

Public/Private Partnerships

Located within the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area operates in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation providing skiing and snowboarding on 100 acres of terrain within a 450-acre leased area.
The Wachusett/DCR relationship, in effect for more than 30 years, has been viewed nationwide as a model public/private partnership for ski area operations.
Friends of Wachusett Mountain – Wachusett Mountain Ski Area offers administrative and promotional support to the “Friends of Wachusett” citizen’s group created to promote and protect the natural resources on the mountain.

Protecting Open Space

Wachusett contributes a percentage of its gross receipts to a State Land Acquisition Trust Fund dedicated to the purchase and preservation of open space. The purpose of the trust is to provide the Department of Environmental Management with funds to acquire land desirable for conservation purposes.
Since 1988 more than $4.6 million has been contributed to the fund providing protection for more than 500 acres of open space in central Massachusetts; including areas around Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Leominster State Forest and Willard Brook State Forest.

Old Growth Forest Management

Wachusett Mountain has the largest known stand of Old Growth Forest in Massachusetts.
Created an Old Growth Management Policy in conjunction with DCR in 1998 to help educate, protect and study the areas of old growth forest located on the mountain. This includes monitoring all snowmaking to prevent excessive ice on trees within the old growth; annual inspection with DCR of hazard trees that may need removal; with DCR constant monitoring and patrolling of old growth areas to prevent unauthorized access.

Land Conservation and Protection

Wachusett placed more than 100 acres of private adjacent forest land owned by the mountain into a forest protection program monitored by DCR.
Wachusett has pledged to help fund a full-time ecologist for DCR for an ongoing program of ecological monitoring, research and management of the biological resources of the state reservation.
Studies have shown Massachusetts has a shortage of open meadow land (other state parks have cleared trees to create more open space.) Ski trails create a perfect open meadow areas to foster biological diversity.
Wachusett has developed a program for rotation of mowing to foster a variety of meadow species including some rare naturally occurring plants. Wachusett also adjusted the design layout of a trail in its new Vickery Bowl to afford more protection for the mountain laurel.

Energy Conservation

Princeton Municipal Light Department and Community Energy, Inc. partnered in 2007 to build and operate two 1.5-megawatt wind turbines on Wachusett Mountain in an area on the back side below the summit. Scheduled for completion in 2007, these new wind mills will assist Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in reducing overall energy costs.
Installed a state-of-the-art snowmaking compressor system which utilizes re-circulated heat from air compressors to supply the base lodge with 100% of its heat, significantly reducing electrical consumption.
Wachusett constructed a new snowmaking compressor building in 1997 utilizing this technology with even more energy efficient compressors.
The mountain also uses specially-designed HKD tower snow guns for snowmaking which are eight times more efficient than conventional water guns and significantly reduce noise levels.
Automated energy management system to control conditions in base lodge.

Environmental Events

Green Day Celebration: Scheduled on St. Patrick’s Day, this event included discounts on energy-saving light bulbs, complimentary energy-saving information, and special offers to customers who drove “hybrid” automobiles, car-pooled or took public transportation to the mountain.
Earth Day: Annually hosting hundreds of volunteers to help clean up the area on Earth Day each spring. These individuals police the ski area grounds, as well as nearby roads to collect trash and pick up debris. Participants receive a complimentary lift ticket and barbecue lunch.
National Trails Day: Wachusett Ski Area annually supports Wachusett State Reservation trail clean up day in June by provided complimentary lunches to the volunteers.

Water Conservation and Protection

Installed a 7.2-mile sewer line from the mountain to the Fitchburg wastewater treatment plant in 1982. The line was donated to the town of Westminster, providing the town with its first link to public sewer service.
In 1983, Wachusett Mountain also installed a $750,000 storm water diversion system to protect Wachusett Lake, Fitchburg’s primary source of drinking water, as well as diminish flooding impacts from spring run-off.
In further steps to protect the lake, Wachusett Mountain State Reservation conducts extensive testing and monitoring with water tests daily at 9 locations around the mountain. This system has proven that water flowing from the ski area to Wachusett Lake meets drinking water standards and shows snowmelt run-off does not contribute to contaminants in the Lake.
In 2000, Wachusett has responded to concerns about the use of ponds for snowmaking by installing a 1 mile pipeline to Wachusett Lake to purchase water needed for making snow from the City of Fitchburg. This innovative plan eliminated the need for additional snowmaking ponds.
An automated turbidity meter has been installed in the snowmaking pond and Wachusett Mountain has participated with the City of Fitchburg since 2000 in an extensive water quality study of Wachusett Lake and its tributaries.
Wachusett has invested over $150,000 over the past 5 years to improve the quality of storm water runoff from the area including the installation of storm water structures, sediment chamber, paving of heavily traveled areas and grading to reduce erosion in and around the base area. Wachusett has committed and additional $64,000 and was recently awarded a grant funded by the EPA and administered by Mass. DEP to improve the quality of storm water runoff.
All restroom toilets use pond water instead of potable well water.

Educational Programs

The Science on the Slopes Program – a season long series of special education sessions to instruct guests about the environment and science around the mountain.
“A Closer Look at Wachusett Mountain” – a self-guided tour manual
Visitor education with the installation of 12 interpretive kiosks on the mountain relating to environmental information and history of the area.

Waste Management

Ski area-wide recycling with a recycling center right on the premises.
Waste oil recycle program in kitchen
Vehicle oil recycling program in mountain garage

Brochure Reduction Plan

In an effort to reduce the volume of paper utilized for promotional brochures, Wachusett has started a phased-plan to reduce the size and pages of numerous resort brochures. The mountain can rely on its website to provide valuable resort information previously printed in brochures.

Environmental Awards

2003 Silver Eagle Award for Wildlife and Habitat Protection presented by the Time Mirror Company. Wachusett was cited for improving water quality in surrounding lakes, ponds and streams by its significant investment in storm water management measures. The Silver Eagle Award is presented annually as part of Mountain Sports Media’s Golden Eagle Award program established in 1993 to recognize the environmental achievements of ski areas across the country.
2001 Silver Eagle Award for Energy Conservation presented by Mountain Sports Media. Wachusett Mountain was recognized as one of six Silver Eagle award winners nationwide among more than 50 entries from 26 ski areas; including major western resorts. Wachusett was cited for having invested more than $2.5 million in energy savings measures since 1992 resulting in a savings of more than three million kilowatt hours.
2001 National Ski Areas Association Sustainable Slopes Marketing Outreach Award recognizing Wachusett’s outstanding environmental education efforts. In receiving the award, Wachusett Mountain was cited for “an extraordinary job of raising the visibility of Sustainable Slopes and communicating a strong message of environmental commitment to the public. The NSAA Sustainable Slopes program is the environmental charter for ski areas nationwide recognizing the efforts made through outreach and education, signage and printed materials, implementation of the charter’s Environmental Principles and raising awareness of the Environmental Code of the Slopes.
In 1999, Wachusett’s commitment to the environment was also recognized on a national level as one of three finalists for the prestigious Golden Eagle Award from The Skiing Company. Wachusett was runner up in the category for “Overall Environmental Excellence” to honor programs developed by ski resorts that reflect pro-active environmental sensitivity.
In 1992, the Massachusetts Audubon Society and Worcester Business Journal honored Wachusett Mountain Ski Area with a special recognition award for its innovative means of reducing power consumption through efficient snowmaking.