Sustainability

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Sustainability

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RFID Technology

All of ORDA’s tickets are printed on reusable and reloadable stock. This allows guests hassle-free ticketing in advance online, with no waste! The RFID media lasts for years, offering convenient direct-to-lift access winter after winter.

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EV Charging Stations

Guests with electric vehicles are encouraged to plug in while they visit Gore, Whiteface, and Mt. Van Hoevenberg! Thank you drivers, for your commitment to helping the environment.

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Sustainable Trail Work

Resurfacing trail irregularities helps offset water use for snowmaking while improving the skiing experience. Earthen features in freestyle areas also conserve energy, while updated trail building techniques reduce erosion.

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Environmental Awards

ORDA and its venues have been recognized with a variety of environmental awards. One recent accolade honored the Olympic Region as a LEED Gold Community, which in part recognizes the sustainable building standards of ORDA’s Lake Placid Conference Center.

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Salt Reduction

ORDA supports the NYS Department of Transportation reduced salt initiative.

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Interpretive Information

Visit our venues to learn about the history, ecology, and geology of our unique Adirondack and Catskill areas! Depending on which venue you visit, a hike, scenic ride, ski, or bike tour all offer places to learn something new.

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Hiking Centers

In the spring, summer, and fall, ORDA’s venues transform into welcoming hiking centers. Our centers offer a range of hikes for all abilities, complete with hiker facilities including restrooms, retail, foodservice, and other activities. Visit our venue sites for maps and additional information!

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Solar at Gore

Gore Mountain’s 14,589-panel solar array is the largest dedicated to a ski area in the United States. The 5.325 MW system not only delivers clean energy to Gore’s electric zone, but efficiently harvests sunlight to offset the resort’s electric needs.

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Solar at Whiteface

Whiteface Mountain’s 9,000-panel solar array went live on the grid during Summer 2020. Whiteface not only contributes to solar with its North Country array, but purchases enough credits to be powered by 100% renewable energy.

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Locally Sourced Foods

Foodservice at ORDA venues are expanding offerings of locally sourced products. Check our menu selections for regularly featured offerings using ingredients from local farms and businesses.

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Updated Snowmaking

All ORDA venues have made a strong commitment to modernizing their snowmaking fleets with high-efficiency guns, system monitoring, motors with variable drives, and new energy-saving technologies. This means we’re making more snow in less time, using less energy.

How Do ORDA’s Values Relate To Sustainability?

ORDA manages world-class recreational facilities within the Adirondacks and Catskills, and the sustainability and resiliency of both Parks are priorities in our daily operations as well as future planning. The Olympic Authority’s success is dependent on producing positive regional economic impacts, preserving the Olympic Legacy, and delivering public recreation opportunities; these efforts are in turn dependent on our ability to incorporate sustainability and environmental stewardship into
everything we do.

The mountain ecosystems in which our facilities lie are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Effects can include shorter, milder winters, a decrease in natural snowfall, extreme weather events and heavy precipitation, and variable freeze-thaw cycles. We need to adapt to climate change vulnerabilities, but also ensure we are minimizing any of our own contributionsto the changing climate. The Olympic Authority has been empowered to embrace technology to make better decisions. Our venues’ infrastructure has been and continues to be upgraded to be more efficient and resilient. With sustainability at top of mind, ORDA can and will continue carry out its mission and provide an exceptional guest experience for decades to come.

The Olympic Authority’s Efforts in Sustainability:

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions & Offsetting Energy Use:

Snowmaking efficiency has been and will always be an ongoing sustainability priority for the Olympic Authority. Hefty infrastructure upgrades continue annually toward the goal of reducing the energy intensity, water use, time, labor, and costs associated with snowmaking. Among these installations are soft starters and variable frequency drives (VFD). Soft starters decrease the in-rush current needed to start pumps and compressors. VFDs will only use the power necessary to meet the demands of water and air. Existing snow guns are being replaced with modernized, high-efficiency guns. Less energy used, same outcome. A Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system controls all pumps, compressors, and valves associated with snowmaking. This eliminates the running of system components when they are not necessary. Water is withdrawn from nearby surface water resources for the purpose of making snow at our Venues. Gore, Whiteface, Belleayre, and Mount Van Hoevenberg each have a specific, DEC- permitted withdrawal amount that cannot be exceeded.

Olympic Authority cooling systems at the Olympic Center maintain the world-class ice conditions at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena, the 1932 Jack Shea Arena, the USA Rink, and the outdoor James Sheffield Speed Skating Oval. The refrigeration plant was replaced in its entirety in 2021 and 2022. The new refrigeration system uses about 20% less energy during typical operations than the previous system, and it meets or exceeds all code requirements. Prior to upgrades to the refrigeration plant, the primary refrigerant was R-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane or “Freon”) which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) rating of 1810. Post-upgrades, the new primary refrigerant is R-513A (2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene) which has a much lower GWP rating at 631. The efficiencies of the upgraded refrigeration plant gives the Olympic Authority the ability to reliably provide the conditions needed for winter recreation. Click on the Olympic Center Sustainability Tab above to learn more about the important sustainability projects completed and ongoing at the Olympic Center.

The Pisten Bully 600 E+ – the cleanest, quietest snow groomer on the market and the Olympic Authority’s first hybrid snowcat! Equipped with a diesel-electric drive designed to maximize efficiency, LED lighting, and precise hydraulics, it is the most efficient, economical and sustainable of its kind. Compared to the PB 600 Polar, the 600 E+ shows a 20% reduction in noise and 20% less fuel consumption. Less fuel consumption reduces the carbon dioxide emissions, promotes a longer range of operation, and reduces fuel costs. You can find these big, green machines grooming your favorite slopes at Whiteface Mountain, Gore Mountain, Belleayre Mountain, and Mount Van Hoevenberg.

The system maximizes energy efficiency by calculating the point at which the diesel engine can provide the required output with optimum fuel consumption, assessing variables such as slope gradient, speed, and hydraulic tiller output. Operation always remains at the lowest possible engine speed, combined with high utilization in the optimal speed range. The electric engine component provides high torque, even in low operating speeds. The Diesel-electric drive complies with the most stringent set of emission standards for off-road machinery in the world, the recently implemented European Union (EU) Stage V non-road emission standards, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 standards.

Green Heat Initiative: Fuel Oil to Propane

Over the past few years, the Olympic Authority has implemented a green heat initiative at all facilities by switching from fuel oil to propane to heat buildings. The benefits of switching are more than just versatility and cost savings. Oil leaks are complicated and expensive to clean. When heating oil is burned, it produces carbon, one of the main greenhouse gases that contributes to global warming. Propane is clean-burning and produces far fewer emissions than oil because of its low carbon content,. Propane is also safer for the surrounding environment as it is non-toxic and non-caustic and will not create an environmental hazard if released as a liquid or vapor into the water or soil.

Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting

Through all recent building and lighting upgrades at Olympic Authority facilities, previously standard fluorescent and incandescent lighting has been replaced with LED technology. LED technology is highly energy-efficient and uses 75 percent less energy than traditional lighting. It also provides our teams the ability to control light direction and intensity and thereby reduce light pollution while maximizing efficiency. Additionally, the added control allows operators to creatively use color and dim and fade functions to visually recognize teams of different nations and evoke themes during events or times of special recognition of various causes.

New Administration Building

The Olympic Authority’s new administration building has excellent window and glass design that allows our employees and guests to enjoy constant exposure to natural light Impervious area on the parcel has decreased overall leaving more natural areas for native plants, grasses and groundwater infiltration.

Our HVAC design utilizes an ultra-modern air handling unit. The air handling unit and the variable air volume boxes that help distribute air throughout building both include high-efficiency particulate air filters Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 8 and higher to help improve the overall indoor air quality of the building, as well as reduce and/or stop the transfer of potentially harmful and inherently harmful particulates such as viruses. The air handler also features an energy recovery wheel, that salvages useful energy in the outgoing air and transfers it to the incoming fresh air, this is meant to reduce the waste of already conditioned indoor air – lowering the demands of cooling in the summer and heating in the winter. Additionally, the building features brand new light-emitting diode (LED) lighting.

Natural Resource Conservation:

Several Olympic Authority Venues have PBS certificates from the DEC for both underground and aboveground fuel storage tanks. The overall goal is to completely phase out, close and remove underground tanks from facilities. Since 2017, a total of 27 tanks have been removed from our facilities. Routine monitoring is required for tanks to ensure lines undergo pressure testing and leak detection monitoring equipment is up to par. The DEC conducts an annual inspection and compliance review of the tanks at each Venue.

Olympic Authority Venues are working to increase our year-round operations, with the goal of evolving into destination Hiking and Mountain Biking Centers. We have always worked in cooperation for mutual successes with the hiking industry’s stakeholders and have developed and implemented hiking programs into our master planning process. We recognize the challenges caused by the overcrowding of trails and parking constraints at Adirondack High Peaks & Catskill Mountain trailheads. Our facilities provide the infrastructure, services, and staffing necessary to help offset some of these problems. As specialists in the guest experience, we also recognize that steering visitors toward alternative outings can be done in a way that welcomes them and enhances their experience. The Mount Van Hoevenberg East Trail was recently reconstructed by DEC using modern, sustainability trail construction techniques. To learn more about the new Mount Van Hoevenberg East Trail, please visit https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/todo/hiking/.

In accordance with the Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act of 2020, the Olympic Authority, in cooperation with NYSDOT and local municipalities, is working to decrease the amount of salt applied to ground surfaces with the goal of protecting natural resources including streams, rivers, lakes, forests and animal habitats. Salt is a combination of sodium and chloride, both of which are harmful to humans, animals, and aquatic species in large amounts. Even in low concentrations, chloride is toxic to aquatic life and harmful to freshwater ecosystems. According to the USEPA, increased salt concentrations in freshwater can directly and indirectly cause other pollutants in soil, groundwater, surface water, and water pipes to become more concentrated and mobile, thereby exacerbating nutrient pollution, which contributes to harmful algal blooms and low dissolved oxygen levels in lakes and rivers, which is necessary for the survival of aquatic life. The Olympic Authority takes these risks to human health and health of the natural environment very seriously, hence the reduction of salt application across all Venues. ORDA has implemented radiant snow melt capabilities at Gore Mountain’s Sundeck, Belleayre Mountain’s Discovery and Overlook Lodges, and ORDA’s Administration building. At the Olympic Center, the sidewalk area at the recently updated Miracle Plaza also has radiant heating. The waste heat from the recently upgraded refrigeration plant is piped to the sidewalk to melt snow and ice for safe conditions. We advise patrons to walk and drive slowly and safely through these environmentally sensitive areas, understanding the reasoning and importance behind the effort.

The Bicknell’s Thrush (BITH) is a State-designated species of Special Concern by the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP). In 2006, the Olympic Authority developed mitigation measures to protect this bird, as their summer breeding grounds favor high elevations & western-facing slopes in spruce-fir forests. The BITH have been documented at both Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain Ski Centers. That said, high-intensity construction activities are prohibited above 2,800 feet in elevation from May 15^th to August 1^st as BITH are known to return to their high elevation summer breeding grounds during this time period. Future development is also limited above 2,800 feet as to not cause any undue harm to the bird. In the development of the most recent Amendment to Whiteface Mountain’s UMP in 2022, these mitigation measures developed in 2006 were updated, further demonstrating the Olympic Authority’s continued dedication to protecting the elusive bird. During the public comment period for this UMPA, the Northern New York Audubon submitted a letter to the Olympic Authority stating the mitigation efforts as described in the UMPAs are sufficient to protect the nesting birds.

Recognition and Awards

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) offers innovative design and technology that help conserve materials and promote energy efficiency, a heathier work environment, and sustainable land use. Certification depends on the amount of ‘points’ earned in these categories: Integrative Process, Natural Systems and Ecology, Transportation and Land Use, Water Efficiency, Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Materials Resources, and Quality of Life. The Conference Center at Lake Placid is LEED Certified.

The New York Olympic Region is a partnership between of the Town of North Elba, Village of Lake Placid, ORDA, and the Lake Placid Central School District. Together the entities achieved LEED Gold for Communities certification in 2017 using a metrics-based approach. Today, this multi-jurisdictional team is working to update their metrics for recertification.

Some efforts are more visible than others. For venue-specific sustainability information, we invite you to visit each Venues sustainability page via the tabs on this page.