From converting cow manure to electricity to innovative marketing videos, Killington Resort strives to be a leader in creative programs

KILLINGTON, Vt. (June 19, 2013) – Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, was crowned winner of the National Ski Areas Association’s (NSAA) 2013 Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence for participation in Green Mountain Power’s Cow Power Program. The resort also took home the title for Best Use of Video Marketing.

Mike Solimano, president and general manager for Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, accepted the awards on behalf of the resort at the Annual NSAA National Convention and Tradeshow in Palm Springs, Calif. last month.

“Killington Resort is continually looking for innovative ways to become more environmentally responsible and create renewable energy,” stated Mike Solimano, president and general manager for Killington Resort. “The Cow Power Program, converting methane gas from cow manure into electricity, worked out so well that we’ll be expanding the program to the new Peak Lodge in December 2013.”

The prestigious NSAA awards are presented annually to ski areas that demonstrate an innovative example in business practice. The Golden Eagle Award showcases environmental performance while the Video Marketing Award recognizes successful programs that help grow the sports of skiing and snowboarding.

For the Golden Eagle Award, Killington Resort partnered with Green Mountain Power (GMP) and local Vermont dairy farms to convert cow manure into electricity to power the K-1 Express Gondola year-round. The Cow Power Program collects cow manure from participating Vermont dairy farms, mixes the waste with wash water from the milking equipment, and pumps it into an anaerobic digester. The waste sits in the digester for about three weeks at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing bacteria to convert the manure into biogas composed of about 60% methane gas and 40% carbon dioxide. The methane gas is then delivered to a modified natural gas engine, which consequently spins an electric generator to create electricity. Finally, the energy generated is fed into the GMP electrical system and distributed to the K-1 Express Gondola.

Killington was also awarded the Best Use of Video Marketing award for the variety of videos created throughout the 2012-13 season including features on lifestyle, operations and snow sports culture.

Additionally, Killington Resort won the “2013 Most Creative Environmental Program” award from Vermont Ski Area Association’s inaugural Green Mountain Award for Environmental Excellence for the Cow Powered K-1 Express Gondola and OnTheSnow.com’s Visitor’s Choice Award for “2013 Best Nightlife in the Northeast”.

Furthermore, the Killington Grand Resort Hotel was honored with a 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for achieving outstanding reviews by travelers on TripAdvisor.

###

About Killington Resort
Killington Resort is a four-season destination that sits on 3,000 acres in the heart of the Green Mountains in Central Vermont. The Resort boasts more than 70 miles of diverse snow sports terrain spread out over six peaks and offers the most expansive lift network and snowmaking system in the East. After the snow melts, Killington features an 18-hole championship golf course as well as 45 miles of mountain biking trails and 15 miles of hiking trails. In addition, the numerous après, dining, shopping and lodging options have made Killington a world-class destination for East Coast skiers and riders for over 50 years. Killington.com