Ski the change at Taos Ski Valley this winter
With rapid conglomeration happening throughout the ski industry, it is becoming more difficult for independent mountain resorts to stand out. Developments that were once big news, such as installing a new lift or offering an exciting promotion, just don’t set resorts apart anymore. What does hold special value with travelers today? Unique stories and companies that make a meaningful difference in the world. I believe this is where Taos Ski Valley stands out.
The Taos Ski Valley story is as unique as the Taos region itself and remarkably different from other mountain resorts today. We are an independently owned resort. Our scale is intimate and lends an incomparable personality and approachability.
We’re also the world’s first and only B Corp ski resort. This means we use our business as a force for good, a way to create change that benefits the people and the environment in our community and the planet. This ethos is deeply rooted and directs every business decision we make.
This B Corp philosophy has been our North Star as we’ve continued our $300 million revitalization. We’re committed to grow better, rather than bigger.
We aspire to the highest standards of sustainability in everything we do. And we don’t just mean environmental sustainability, but social and economic sustainability as well. It’s a way of thinking, a way of doing better for our people and our planet.
I’m so proud of the staff at the ski valley. Many of them have really stepped up and brought creative ideas for how to do business differently.
A few examples: our saw crews work with The Nature Conservancy, the Rio Grande Water Fund, and the U.S. Forest Service on a 600,000-acre, 20-year sustainable forestry program to reduce wildfire risk and protect the source waters of New Mexico. Our new ski-in, ski-out hotel, The Blake, uses about 14 percent less energy than buildings of a similar size, resulting in its Silver LEED status.
Our facilities team researched and installed a food digester that reduces our food waste by 90 percent each day, therefore reducing the methane it would otherwise release if taken to the landfill. We have a minimum wage that is 30 percent above the state wage, which is good for our community and helps us attract and retain the best talent. These are just a few of the many ways we’re doing business differently.
This season, you may see our new campaign around town or online: Ski the change you want to see in the world. This campaign is a call to action, an invitation to visitors to join us on our journey towards continued community involvement, philanthropy, environmental sensitivity and economic sustainability.
I’m pleased to personally invite you to ski the change with us this winter. See you on the slopes starting Thanksgiving Day.
David Norden is the CEO of Taos Ski Valley, Inc. Join him each month as a guest columnist providing a ski valley community update.