Aspen Snowmass has lent a generous helping hand to Australia amid what has been a truly devastating season of bushfires.
Australians make up the Aspen Snowmass Resort’s largest international market and are often friends, colleagues and loyal guests. And so, the Aspen Skiing Company behind Snowmass – a four mountain snow destination in Colorado – are “keen to help”.
To assist in the battle against the blaze, Aspen Snowmass created an Australia Wildlife Relief Fund. On top of this, they promised to match the first US$12,500 (A$18, 233) in donations.
And for a limited time, all one-off donations to Aspen Skiing Company Environment Foundation will go to fire relief through the Australian Red Cross.
It doesn’t stop there. In addition, the team at Aspen have contributed A$100,000 of prizes to the Snow Aid Australia auction organised by SnowsBest.com. The auction will run from February 9 to 21, 2020.
Aspen Skiing Company alone is donating $40,000 worth of products that will be combined with the help of other local businesses including The Little Nell, Limelight Aspen, Limelight Snowmass, Hotel Jerome, the St. Regis, The Gant, Frias Properties, North of Nell, Destination Residences Snowmass and the new W Hotel Aspen. In total, there are 10 amazing packages including premium rentals, lift tickets, private lessons and gourmet meals.
“The Aspen Snowmass community has rallied and we are thrilled that with the support of our lodging partners, total contributions are well over $100k,” said Casey Peck, account manager strategic markets.
“It is so wonderful to be a part of a community that comes together in times of crisis like this.”
Exact details of the silent auction will be released on Snowbest.com and @misssnowitall in the coming weeks. You can make a donations to the Snowmass bushfire relief here: aspensnowmass.com/ausrelief
Aspen Snowmass social initiatives
Donating to the bushfire relief and Snow Aid auction will not be the last of Aspen’s social initiatives. Long after the fires are out, Aspen Snowmass has committed to continuing to work on the world’s climate crisis.
Already, they have introduced sustainable practices by recycling coal methane to power operations, switching to electric snowmobiles and using solar power where they can. Aspen Skiing Company were also the first to develop a set of green buildings in the ski industry certified by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
They are leading by example with a dedicated sustainability department focused on big scale solutions to climate change.
At a local level, they have developed several community environmental programs. These cover carbon accounting, composting, and local purchasing to ensure best practices across the Snowmass community. Not to mention, their contribution to the Environment Foundation established in 1997. The foundation goes towards projects that protect local habitats and mountain ecosystems, reduce the impacts of climate change and foster responsible stewardship of natural resources.
“Guests are snow-balled from every angle with our sustainable and responsible measuresfrom the food they eat, to the wax on their skis and the power operating the ski lifts,” said a spokesperson for Aspen Skiing Company.
Guests who visit Aspen Snowmass also have the opportunity to contribute to their climate policy mission by sending one of the provided postcards to the local Senator. It’s organised by the company as part of their Give A Flake about climate change campaign.
Find out more about Aspen Snowmass: aspensnowmass.com
