NORTH CREEK, New York ??” Gore Mountain was recently presented with the Silver Eagle for Excellence in Visual Impact at the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) National Convention in Marco Island, Florida. This was Gore Mountain’s third Silver Eagle. The awards recognize outstanding environmental achievement in the ski industry. Gore Mountain was the only Eastern ski area to win a Silver Eagle this year.

Minimizing visual impact while developing the skiing experience at Gore Mountain is a management priority. This is evident in several efforts, including:

• The layout and appearance of the Northwoods Gondola, designed with low towers, a low-profile lift line that follows the natural contour of the land, and color scheme carefully selected to blend into its surroundings
• The appearance of the Hudson River Pump House and transformer at the Upper Hudson River Railroad station, painted Johnsburg Brown and designed to merge flawlessly into the depot facade
• The appearance of the Hudson River Intake Structure, designed to appear as a box culvert from which a tributary would flow
• The “Topridge Area,” Gore Mountain’s newest pod of skiing that cannot be seen from any developed location
• Gore Mountain’s most recent architectural developments, themed after the Great Camps of the Adirondacks
• All future development plans, which include expanding Gore’s lift and trail network onto a historic ski area using a layout virtually identical to its original design

Finalists were Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Beaver Creek, Colorado.Gore Mountain’s previous awards were the 2005 Silver Eagle for Excellence in Environmental Education (finalists were Big Mountain, Montana, and Mammoth Mountain, California) and the 2000 Silver Eagle for Excellence in Environmental Group Relations (finalists were Aspen Skiing Company, Colorado and Copper Mountain, Colorado).

Clif Bar & Co., a leading maker of energy foods for winter sports enthusiasts and environmentally friendly business, was the administrator of the awards program.

Gore Mountain, located in North Creek, NY, is operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). Charles A. Gargano was appointed to his present position as ORDA Chairman and Commissioner by Governor George E. Pataki in February 1995.