Mega.  That is about the only word I can come up with to describe this and a few other mountains that I have tried this winter.  I understand that many people want the size, speed, supposed glamour and facilities of the mega resort and believe me, being an advanced skier, I find many of the slope challenging.  The issue for me becomes how big is big enough – when does the size overburden both the senses and the local/regional ecosystem?  To address the environmental issue in general, the National Ski Area Association (NSAA) has started a division and effort called the “Sustainable Slopes”.

Although “Sustainable slopes” outlines a record of significant improvement in energy efficiency, water use, waste management and local ecosystem impact; the issue still remains that skiing, especially in the New England, is a very energy intensive sport.  New England, according to the 2003 research results of NSAA, had the highest electricity use per skier visit (one skier per one day) at 39.1 kWh – higher than even the Southeast region where you would think it the warmer weather would melt that white stuff away faster.  The results also show that New England resorts responding to the survey, used, on average, 304.7 gallons per skier visit of water for snow making and 19 gallons per skier visit for “consumptive use” like drinking, waste water and kitchen use.  These are huge numbers that cannot be ignored and we must encourage the ski areas we patronize to get very aggressive OR we can switch areas.