Amador County – The Ski Area Citizen’s Coalition (SACC) recently released the yearly Ski Area Environmental scorecard for 2011 placing Kirkwood Mountain Resort among the top ranked facilities, with an overall “A” rating and score of 80.1 percent.

Kirkwood was the fourth best rated among 19 California resorts, and held the 12th best rank among 83 ski resorts rated nation-wide by SACC.

Kirkwood Vice President Michael Dalzell announced the ratings last week, saying that the Coalition “releases their scorecards grading ski resorts nationwide on the environmental impact from operations. Scores are based on strict criteria including: preserving land, renewable energy usage, community sustainability and more.”

Ski Area Citizens Coalition categorical rankings showed Kirkwood scored the best in protecting watersheds, and water quality, at 94 percent, and also received “A” scores in addressing global climate change and environmental policies and practices, and a “B” in habitat protection.

Mike Richter, Director of Environmental Affairs at Kirkwood Mountain Resort said it was “great to be recognized for our environmental efforts.” Richter said “environmental stewardship and minimizing our impact on the environment has been an area of focus for Kirkwood over the past five years and our efforts are having a positive impact.”

Dalzell said a prime example of a program “undertaken since 2006 is Kirkwood’s operational philosophy focused on conservation programs that have resulted in cutting the resort’s water and energy usage by nearly 50 percent.”

Other notable initiatives Kirkwood has taken over the past few years includes a very successful employee and guest car-pooling and ride share program. Dalzell said they are also “being a leader” in supporting organizations that protect the environment such as National Forest Foundation and Bonneville Green Tag program in which Kirkwood is one of North America’s top contributors.

Kirkwood’s score of 80.1 percent was fourth best among the 19 California resorts graded by SACC. Squaw Valley was the best ranked in the country, and in the state, with a 92.1 percent grade. Kirkwood also had the 12th best grade of the all 83 resorts graded, among the 11 states in the rankings.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.