Vail Resorts is not only a network of premier ski destinations but also a company deeply committed to supporting the communities in which it operates. Through various initiatives and partnerships, Vail Resorts actively contributes to youth development, environmental stewardship, and the overall well-being of mountain communities.
Expanding Youth Access to Mountain Experiences
Vail Resorts is significantly expanding its youth access efforts by launching new programs at more than a dozen resorts near major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland, and Seattle. Vail Resorts Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, will personally donate $10 million over the next five years to participating non-profits.
These funds will help develop and expand programs, fund transportation, and support other needs to provide mountain access and engaging experiences. With the new programs in place, Vail Resorts plans to host more than 10,000 underserved kids and teens annually. Vail Resorts already has one of the most expansive programs in the industry in the area of youth access, with in-kind charitable contributions totaling $5.6 million per year, supporting nearly 4,500 underserved kids across Colorado, Utah, Lake Tahoe, Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The new youth access initiative is part of Epic for Everyone, Vail Resorts’ commitment to broaden engagement in skiing and riding, and builds upon previous initiatives to improve accessibility.
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Epic Promise: A Commitment to Sustainability and Community
EpicPromise is Vail Resorts’ sustainability brand, encompassing all of the company’s environmental and community giving efforts. Vail Resorts is committed to supporting working families in our communities by forming relationships with local leaders and businesses, donating in-kind resources, and awarding grants to nonprofits to facilitate the expansion of affordable housing, childcare and pre-school education,food security, and more.
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Each year, Vail Resorts gives more than $8.6 million in cash and in-kind support to more than 250 nonprofit partners in mountain communities. Grants and donations focus on youth programs and environmental initiatives that impact our local communities. Vail Resorts is a network of the best destination and close-to-home ski resorts in the world.
- Zero Net Operating Footprint by 2030: Vail Resorts aims to achieve zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impact to forests and habitat.
- Support for Employees and Communities: The company provides resources and support to its employees and the communities in which it operates.
- Broaden Engagement in the Sport: Vail Resorts is dedicated to making skiing and riding more accessible to everyone.
Zero Waste to Landfill by 2030
To achieve this goal, Vail Resorts plans to divert 100 percent of the waste from its operations to more sustainable pathways. Vail and Beaver Creek are working with Vail Honeywagon, the local waste hauler, to support a full-scale commercial composting operation.
During the winter season, Vail employs four full-time positions devoted to meeting the Zero Footprint Waste Diversion goal of 50 percent by 2020, and Zero Waste by 2030 though recycling, compost, and waste diversion. This Waste Diversion team completes the enormous task of sending over 150 tons of cardboard, 90 tons of scrap metal, 14 tons of compost, 250 tons of singlestream/comingled material, 7,000 gallons of vegetable oil, and truckloads of other recyclables to be reused by various haulers and vendors each year.
Reducing Energy Consumption and Emissions
Vail Resorts is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through various initiatives:
- Reducing electricity and natural gas use by another 15 percent, in addition to the 19 percent already achieved.
- Purchasing 100 percent renewable energy that is equivalent to total electrical energy use.
- Sharing progress on achieving "Epic Promise for a Zero Footprint" goals in an annual sustainability report.
Vail currently has two on-site solar photovoltaic installations-one at Bailey’s, at the top of the Eagle Bahn gondola and one at the bottom. These installations have generated over 70,000 kwh and prevented over 120,000 pounds of CO2 emissions, for a total of over 12 kwh.
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The Eagle County Climate Action Plan recommends county-wide greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of 25 percent by 2025, and 80 percent by 2050 (from the Eagle County 2014 baseline inventory).
Community Support and Charitable Giving
Vail Resorts actively supports its local communities through various programs and donations:
- EpicPromise Foundation: Supports Vail Resorts employees and their dependents in times of need through emergency financial assistance and educational grants.
- EpicVolunteers: Provides Vail Resorts employees with 40 hours of paid time off for volunteer projects.
- National Forest Foundation Guest Donation Program: Voluntary donations have contributed over $1 million in 2016 to support projects in forests surrounding the resorts.
In 2023, Park City Mountain supported through Vail Resorts EpicPromise donated a total of $5.7 million to local nonprofits. Epic Mountain Express’ 27 Annual Fill the Van Food Drive was on Saturday, Nov. 15. All Fill the Van donations benefit local food banks of Family & Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) in Summit County, Vail Valley Salvation Army, and The Community Market.
Mental Health Support
Mental health access and support continues to be a critical issue for mountain communities across North America.For the past eight years, Katz and Amsterdam, co-founders of the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust, have led efforts to augment mental health resources in mountain communities and have helped to shift the landscape of behavioral health. Since 2016, contributions from Katz Amsterdam now total over $56 million.
The Katz Amsterdam grants are in addition to the annual EpicPromise grants from Vail Resorts, which support more than 400 nonprofits across mountain communities where the company operates. In addition to their focus on mountain communities, Vail Resorts provides mental health support for employees, including six free counseling sessions per year for team members, their dependents, and roommates.
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Partnerships and Collaborations
Vail Resorts understands the importance of collaboration in achieving its sustainability and community goals. The company actively partners with various organizations to maximize its impact.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC): Vail Resorts pledges $1 million to TNC to support the restoration of the Colorado River.
- National Forest Foundation: Guest donations through EpicPromise contribute to environmental stewardship initiatives.
- Local Nonprofits: Vail Resorts supports numerous local nonprofits focused on youth programs, environmental initiatives, and community needs.
Colorado Mountain Express (CME) can donate transportation services and vehicles to nonprofit organizations in need through the Vail Resorts Epic Promise program. The Cycle Effect is a relatively new non-profit organization that supports a key EpicPromise criterion - youth development - by helping young girls to develop confidence and life skills through the sport of mountain biking.
Table: Vail Resorts' Charitable Contributions
| Year | Total Contributions | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $8.6 million+ | 250+ nonprofit partners |
| 2023 | $5.7 million | Park City local nonprofits |
| Ongoing | $56 million+ | Katz Amsterdam Foundation contributions to mental health initiatives |
Vail Resorts is committed to preserving the mountain communities where it operates. First announced in 2017, Vail Resorts’ bold Commitment to Zero charts a course for the company to achieve a zero net operating footprint by 2030, including zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impact to forests and habitat.