OTHER SKI AREAS

Xcel Energy Windsource Program sells 100-kWh blocks of electricity generated from the Ponnequin Wind Farm located near the Colorado-Wyoming state border, between highways I-25 and 85. Each block currently costs $2.50/month. Xcel Energy and Holy Cross utility companies serve the following ski resorts:

Aspen Ski Company (ASC) purchase wind electricity to fully power the Cirque Lift in Snowmass, the first wind-powered lift in the state of Colorado. According to Auden Schendler, the Director of Environmental Affairs, while it still costs more to use wind power, it serves to manifest one of ASC's guiding principles to "remain responsible stewards of the mountain environment."

Vail Resorts purchases 72000 kWh of wind power to fully power the T-bar lift at the Breckenridge Resort for the entire year. Keystone Resort also purchases 16500 kWh/month from Xcel Energy to power the Cirque Lift in addition to supplying 30% of the energy needs of the Sundeck Restaurant. Vail powers the Wildwood Express Lift using 300,000 kWh/year of wind energy purchased from Holy Cross utility company.

For more information:
Aspen's wind purchases
Vail's sustainability plan