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Report

Eco Values + Sustainability

at Wisp Resort

Wisp Resort is committed to the evaluation and protection of our natural resources. We strive to enhance our natural environment and biodiversity by educating our guests and employees about best practices for protecting those resources. Eco Values represents our commitment to having a larger presence, ensuring participation, and educating our stakeholders on Sustainability initiatives at Wisp.

Eco Values

Wisp will utilize the collective participation of its guests and employees to continue developing mindful programs that focus on enhancing the natural environment in which we recreate. The work ensures that each of us remain good stewards to our mountain home.

As we develop new sustainability programs, be on the lookout for the Eco Values logo around property which serves as a call to action to participate in sustainability programs such as waste diversion efforts.

Sustainability

Wisp Resort’s commitment to sustainability begins with supporting collaboration to achieve meaningful goals in sustainability. We want to ensure that Wisp remains a dedicated steward to our community, environment, and business.

Wisp is committed to optimizing its sustainable development. We strive to foster the balance between the environment, operational needs, and support of social systems that surround the resort. We aim to report solutions based on sustainable management systems and technology that positively impact operations for the long-term health of our mountain, community, and environment.

Wisp is dedicated to achieving its sustainability goals and continuing to be a leader in best practices for the industry and our community. We have already made significant strides to increase the efficiency of our operations. Here are a few examples of programs that help to realize our larger goals in sustainability.

  • Continue to report emissions through the NSAA Climate Challenge program and work towards earning Sustainable Slopes badge certifications.
  • Research and implement new sustainability programs and monitoring tools in waste reduction, reducing water consumption, reducing energy use, and increasing transportation efficiency.
  • Develop Eco Values brand presence both online and on property as a call to action for employees and guests to participate in Wisp sustainability programs.
  • Support biodiversity and wildlife at our mountain home by keeping our mountain clean for our local flora and fauna.
  • Continue using our business voice to advocate for a sustainable future.
  • Wisp Resort is aligning with the state of Maryland’s goal of Net Zero emissions by 2045.

Initiatives

Read about some of our Eco Values and Sustainability initiatives!

  • Lodestone Golf Course successfully implemented a new waste management system in 2024 to ensure that waste is properly sorted and diverted away from local landfills. Removing waste bins from the course allows Wisp to better sort guest waste when the golf cart is returned, protect local wildlife from rummaging in waste bins, and adding to the natural appeal of the golf course.
  • Waste sorting during the 2024 Wisp Summer Concert Series was offered to divert waste from landfills to its proper recycling destination, educate guests on best practices in Garrett County, and to show how sorting can be done in Garrett County. The total diversion for Wisp summer 2024 was over 4,400 plastic bottles and over 10,000 aluminum cans.
  • Water Bottle Refill Stations: The addition of two new water bottle refill stations in 2023 equated to over 8,391 plastic bottles avoided as of November 2024.
  • Snowmaking Equipment: New fan and stick guns have been installed around the mountain and on several full-length slopes. These new snow guns are more efficient in their use of both energy and water. Wisp has installed over 50 new snow guns/ lances since 2019.
  • Water Softening: A new water softening system was installed in 2023 which reduces the energy needed to heat water as well as reduces the consumption of soap and detergent for laundry.
  • Wisp will be receiving energy from a local Community Solar farm in neighboring Oakland, MD beginning in January of 2025. Wisp is receiving over 1.4 million kW per year through the local Community Solar development done by SunCentral LLC. Community Solar in Maryland secures 40% of the energy produced at the solar farm to be distributed for low-income households to use at a discount rate making this a win for Wisp renewable energy use and to local low-income households to benefit from energy savings.
  • Lighting: Systematic replacement of old infrastructure with LED lights throughout the property – both indoors and out. Whereby reducing energy use through more efficient lighting technology. Wisp has upgraded over 150 lights on property to LED since 2019.
  • Snowmaking Equipment: New fan and stick guns have been installed around the mountain and on several full-length slopes. These new snow guns are more efficient in their use of both energy and water. Wisp has installed over 50 new snow guns/ lances since 2019.
  • Refrigerators: Updating old technology uses less resources when refrigeration is required. New refrigerators require less energy.
  • Vehicles: Updates to our operational vehicle fleet have reduced fuel consumption and increased efficiency in operational activities. We have added new vehicles to our truck, Gator/UTV, snowmobile, and grooming fleets.
  • Plant Based Wax: Wisp uses plant based non-flouro base wax in our rental operation. We are proud to be ahead of the curve in ensuring that harmful chemicals are not added to our snow that eventually melts back into Deep Creek Lake.
  • Employee Uniforms: New uniforms for employees ensure that they stay prepared in inclement weather and the guest is accurately able identify what department employees work in. The uniforms being retired are repurposed for use in other countries through a National Ski Area Association partner program.
  • Employee Garden: The Wisp Resort Human Resources department heads up an employee garden where our staff grows produce that they can take home.
  • Retail is now using reusable sinch backpack bags when you purchase items from Wisp retail locations starting in 2024. The retail department ensures that all cardboard and packaging materials are sorted and the materials able to be recycled are diverted away from landfills. Retail has also implemented sustainable procurement by aligning with brands that share Wisp’s commitment to sustainability. Some of our featured partner brands include Helly Hansen, Rossignol, Coca-Cola, and Gore-Tex.
  • Administrative departments have gone almost entirely paperless as of Fall 2024. This includes onboarding through HR and Finance Department record keeping.
  • Rental and Ski/ Snowboard School forms are now paperless for the start of the 2024-2025 winter season to further reduce paper consumption at Wisp as well as provide convenience for guests to fill out forms.

Partners + Advocacy

Wisp Resort is dedicated to aligning our beliefs for a sustainable future with both local and national partners who elevate our advocacy efforts. These partners help Wisp to monitor and report on our sustainability program. Sharing best practices and goals with our partners allows Wisp to develop sustainable programs for our business, community, and environment.

  • National Ski Area Association Sustainable Slopes and Climate Challenge: Continued commitment to participate in National ski Areas Association’s Sustainable Slopes and Climate Challenge programs. So far, we have earned the Sustainable Slopes Endorser, Climate Action, and Climate Advocacy Badges.
  • Maryland Green Registry: The Maryland Green Registry is a voluntary program offering tips and resources to help businesses and other organizations set and meet their own goals on the path to sustainability. Wisp joins other leading businesses in Maryland to share best practices and sustainable solutions.
  • Reporting: Provide emissions data to the National Ski Areas Association Climate Challenge Program and produce an annual sustainability report too publicly track towards our sustainability goals.
  • Wisp Resort is proud to join Ceres and the collective voices of businesses and other mountain resort operators in support of strengthening the EPA’s clean power standards through the Clean Air Act Sections 111(b) and (d). This critical letter of support reinforces the ski industry’s commitment to a clean energy future.
  • Representatives from Wisp will be joining Maryland Tourism Commission Advocacy and Legislative meetings to align further with state tourism organization advocacy beginning in December 2024.
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