Lakewood, CO (Tuesday, January 21, 2003) - The third annual Sustainable Slopes Outreach Day, sponsored by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), will take place on February 22, 2003. Participating resorts will communicate a "Keep Winter Cool" message to skiers and snowboarders on the important topic of climate change. Resorts adopted a climate change policy this season to address the potential impacts of global warming on winter recreation. The objective of the outreach campaign is to raise awareness about resort environmental programs and remind guests how they too can help with environmental stewardship.

Participating resorts will communicate the "Keep Winter Cool" message to skiers and snowboarders through table tents at resort lodges and cafeterias and through their websites. The "Keep Winter Cool" message encourages resort guests to do their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with climate change, including purchasing wind power for their home; carpooling, driving an efficient car or riding shuttles; purchasing energy-efficient appliances for their home; and turning off lights and turning down heat when leaving a room at the resort or at home.

Resorts take a variety of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their operations, such as adopting and applying green building principles for new construction; conducting energy "retrofits" on existing facilities; purchasing wind power to run lifts or buildings; replacing aging air compressors in snowmaking operations to reduce emissions; using alternative fuels in resort transportation fleets; and promoting car pooling by guests or providing mass transit. Many resorts across the country will be showcasing their environmental programs with on-mountain displays and special events on February 22nd.

The NSAA's Sustainable Slopes Outreach Campaign has its origins in the group's Environmental Charter adopted in June 2000. The Charter contains a sweeping set of voluntary principles for protecting the environment and formalizes the industry's commitment to environmental sustainability. The "Principles" cover planning, design and construction; operations, energy conservation and use; waste management; fish and wildlife, forest and vegetative management; wetlands and riparian areas; air and visual quality; transportation; and education and outreach. More than 170 ski areas in 31 states, plus six resorts in Canada, have endorsed the Charter.