Savannah, GA (Thursday, May 27, 2004) - Mountain Sports Media, publishers of SKI and SKIING magazines, announced its 2004 Golden Eagle and Silver Eagle Award recipients last week at the National Ski Area Association convention in Savannah, Georgia. For its creative and far-reaching green policies, Aspen Skiing Company won the 2004 Golden Eagle Award for environmental excellence.

"Season after season, Aspen makes a strong commitment to effective environmental stewardship," said Kendall Hamilton, SKI magazine's editor-in-chief. "Aspen's innovative green policies yield meaningful results and show true progress in achieving sustainability in the ski industry."

The Golden Eagle Awards were established in 1993 by Mountain Sports Media to recognize and encourage environmental achievements. A record of 32 resorts participated this year. The entries were judged by a panel of both environmental and industry experts.

Silver Eagles were awarded to: co-winners Sun Peaks, B.C., and Stevens Pass, Wash. (Excellence in Water Conservation); Vail Resorts, Colo. (Excellence in Energy Conservation); Stratton Mountain, Vt. (Excellence in Fish & Wildlife Protection); Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore. (Excellence in Education); Moonlight Basin, Mont. (Excellence in Visual Impact); Northstar-at-Tahoe, Calif. (Excellence in Stakeholder Relations); and Keystone, Colo. (Excellence in Waste Reduction & Recycling).

Golden Eagle, Overall Environmental Excellence: Aspen Skiing Company
Aspen Skiing Company's environmental programs run from the simple (banning swordfish from restaurant menus) to the spectacular (creation of hydroelectric plants that generate power from the snowmaking system). The company has become a pioneer in "green construction," and routinely advances construction technologies. With its annual self-critical "sustainability report," the company holds itself to a high standard and resists resting on past accomplishments. With its comprehensive and companywide environmental initiatives, Aspen is not only a green leader in skiing, but also is a green leader across all industries.
Finalists: Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore., Smugglers' Notch, Vt.

Silver Eagle, Water Conservation: Sun Peaks, B.C., Stevens Pass, Wash.
Despite being a relatively small ski area in interior British Columbia, Sun Peaks has the lowest per skier (per capita) water use of any resort in the province, and has become a model for effective water conservation. As the primary customer of the Stevens Pass Sewer Districts Cascade Treatment facility (contributing more than 95 percent of total influent), Stevens Pass worked with the district to ensure the modernization of the plant, implementing a new water-treatment technology.
Finalists: Beaver Creek Resort, Colo.

Silver Eagle Award, Energy Conservation: Vail Resort, Colo.
Just purchasing "blocks" of wind power wasn't enough for Vail, the resort is installing four 100 KW wind turbines on Ptarmigan Ridge as the start of a wind farm.
Finalists: Mammoth Mountain, Calif., Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C.

Silver Eagle Award, Fish & Wildlife Habitat Protection: Stratton Mountain, Vt.
Stratton consistently supports innovative wildlife programs, including study of Vermont's black bear population, Mountain Birdwatch (study of high-elevation song birds), annual stocking of Atlantic salmon and preservation of a 1,000 acres of wildlife habitat.
Finalists: Moonlight Basin, Mont., Tremblant, Que.

Silver Eagle, Environmental Education: Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore.
Mt. Hood Meadows remains a major voice in the region, continually working to improve and expand its community relationships with education, employee orientation and sustainability programs.
Finalists: Mad River Glen, Vt., Gore Mountain, N.Y.

Silver Eagle, Visual Impact: Moonlight Basin, Mont.
A private ski area located on land that had been heavily logged, Moonlight Basin has instituted an intense forest recovery program, including environmentally sensitive trail design and strict building requirements.
Finalists: Heavenly Mountain Resort, Calif., Durango Mountain Resort, Colo.

Silver Eagle, Stakeholder Relations: Northstar-at-Tahoe, Calif.
One of Tahoe's busiest ski areas in a region known for contentious community relations, the resort launched the Northstar Environmental Action Team (NEAT) to support improved communication between the community and the resort. NEAT has evolved into a major influence in the community.
Finalists: Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore., Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Silver Eagle, Waste Reduction & Recycling: Keystone, Colo.
A leader in the resort cycling for years, Keystone continues to improve and expand its program, recycling 1,100 tons of material last season.
Finalists: Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C., Sierra-at-Tahoe, Calif.