Heavy summer rains. Flooding. Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Warmer winters. Less snow. We are all bearing witness lately to extreme weather, far beyond the patterns we are accustomed to.
These events can be damaging in different ways, and in the long run, they may result in significant changes to our way of life here in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains. For those of us at the Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) who live and work in these precious parks, the issues around climate change are deeply personal. At the same time, we also recognize they are universal and impact every one of us who shares this planet.
So, to help protect vulnerable people both here and around the world, to improve prospects for future generations, and to act in the name of our love of winter and the great outdoors, the Olympic Authority is committed to creating positive change and to always being part of advancing solutions to preserving our natural world. We are a world leader in winter sport and recreation, and we take our role very seriously in initiating solutions for sustainability across all our venues to help preserve our winters and contribute to the health of our planet.
In alignment with athletes and recreational enthusiasts as well as everyone concerned with the environment or anyone who recognizes humanity’s deeply connected relationship with nature, we make new advances each year to preserve and protect the tremendous sport and recreation opportunities across our Olympic and Catskill regions.
Climate Week
During this year’s Climate Week in New York City, September 22 through 29, we applaud the work of business leaders, change makers, local decision makers, and everyone involved in the climate preservation movement globally. This week on Monday and Tuesday, the event’s organizer, Climate Group, is hosting a live, online platform called The Hub Live for everyone who wants to engage, share, learn, and be inspired.
Here at the Olympic Authority, we have a lot of inspiring climate action going on, too. Beyond the equipment and infrastructure changes that improve the sustainability of our operations, our team established measurement and tracking mechanisms to better understand the benefits of our sustainability efforts and the impact on carbon emissions at our venues. At our three alpine ski areas – Belleayre, Gore, and Whiteface – results indicate our efforts are paying off in vastly reduced emissions.
Renewable Energy Use
In recent years, all three ski areas have made big changes toward revolutionizing their energy use. Whiteface and Gore, for example, both have large solar arrays providing power for their high efficiency snowmaking systems. Gore’s solar array, in fact, is the largest in the U.S. dedicated to a ski area. Belleayre and Whiteface have pursued large additional reductions in emissions by purchasing green power through the New York Power Authority (NYPA). With that new source of power, both venues are now operating at zero emissions in their use of electricity.
Our venues are also striving to eliminate emissions from those parts of their operations still relying on non-renewable energy. One instance is although the use of heating oil has been eliminated, propane is still used for heating systems. Across venues, gas- and diesel-powered vehicles are also still in use. This latter instance is being addressed through the replacement of standard vehicles with hybrid or full electric vehicles.
Today, the Olympic Center now exclusively uses fully electric Zamboni ice resurfacing machines with zero emissions on its three indoor rinks and the outdoor speed skating oval. For general transportation needs, the Olympic Authority also added three new fully electric vehicles in 2024. Plus, our ski centers now feature several hybrid grooming vehicles within our fleets. Currently, fully electric grooming machines are not available, yet as that technology becomes available and as replacement schedules permit, the Olympic Authority will continue electrifying its fleet and machinery over the next few years in conformance with Executive Order No. 22, directing state agencies to adopt a sustainability and decarbonization program. The ultimate goal is a fully electric, zero emissions fleet across venues.
Buying Local
Dining areas may seem an unlikely place to make impacts on climate change. However, the seemingly simple goal of purchasing more locally grown foods produces real reductions in carbon emissions by reducing the distances these goods are transported. There are other important benefits, too, including supporting our region’s economy and sense of community and improving health, too.
By increasing our use of locally grown foods, our team reduces carbon emissions from transportation. When food spends less time in transit, it loses fewer nutrients while also offering better flavors and allowing our team to provide the healthier menus our guests want.
Each year, in fact, we increase the amount of food we buy locally or within the State of New York. Though it sounds easy, it is a challenge because the product itself must not only be grown or raised close to home but also processed here, too.
Additionally, the dining areas across our venues are reducing single-use plastics and other plastics, opting for aluminum and other containers. They are also adding composting stations to reduce the volume of food waste that goes into landfills. They are even recycling their cooking oils for use as biofuels.
From the brands we purchase to the containers our food and beverages are delivered in and served in to how it is all disposed of, Olympic Authority food and beverage teams are also carefully examining all facets of our dining operations and their impacts on public health and the environment. Each year, we reduce the impact on the environment and do more of what’s right for everyone.
Snowmaking Systems
The Olympic Authority operates as a robust economic engine, advancing sport and recreation while also serving as a leader in the careful and constant stewardship of our natural environment. One area in which those two fundamental aims are both achieved is in the continuous advancement of its modern, highly efficient snowmaking systems.
From variable drive motors and innovative monitoring systems that help get water where it is needed to the high efficiency snow guns on the trails today, our crews are making more snow in less time with less energy than ever before. On top of that, much of it is made using solar power, which means our systems are turning sunlight into snow.
Of course, we all love natural snow the best, but warmer winters are already upon us, snowmaking is crucial. With today’s more advanced, high-efficiency systems installed across our mountains, Olympic Authority ski areas – alpine and Nordic – are creating reliable winter wonderlands, extending ski seasons, and helping everyone find the joy in these winter sports and recreation. It is crucial for continuing to attract national and international competitions to our venues, too.
The tremendously improved efficiency of these systems combined with our use of renewable energy is the right thing for the environment. It is also the right thing for ensuring the economic viability of our regions, now and for generations to come.
Inherent Complexity
Every aspect of the Olympic Authority’s planning and operations is inherently complex. The Olympic Authority’s planning and operations are inherently complex. While mandated by the New York State Legislature to preserve the Olympic Region’s legacy, to advance recreation opportunities for all, to host international events, and to boost economic development, the organization’s venues all rest within the blue lines of both the Adirondacks and Catskills forest preserves, inspiring the Olympic Authority team to always work to ensure the organization remains a part of the solution to sustainability and environmental preservation.
In launching the dreams of so many athletes in so many sports and masterfully serving as a tremendous asset for recreationists, tourists, and others, our teams are driven to provide the careful stewardship necessary to preserve this legacy for all to enjoy far into the future.