HUNTER, New York ??” The next time you’re standing atop Hunter Mountain’s 3,200-foot summit, take a moment to marvel at your surroundings. The Catskill Park and Forest Preserve is home to almost three dozen mountain peaks over 3,500 feet in elevation, plus 98 additional peaks above 3,000 feet. Six major river systems, thousands of acres of forests, meadows, lakes, springs, waterfalls, and rock formations help comprise an ecosystem home to a magnificent array of plant and animal wildlife. Often referred to as “America’s First Wilderness”, the 6,000 square mile Catskill Park and Forest Preserve is also said to have marked the beginnings of the Environmental Conservation Movement (The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, 2005).

Hunter Mountain is proud to be an active participant in protecting and preserving these treasured mountains. In 2004, Hunter bought enough Wind Energy Credits from Community Energy to power the 33,000 square-foot Learning Center for the entire winter ski season. This season, Hunter will continue to purchase enough Wind Energy from Community Energy to power the beginner and family-friendly Learning Center for the second year, supporting the increasingly important change toward clean and renewable energy sources, while also setting an example for other ski resorts.

Wind energy is an excellent alternative as it is 100% pollution-free, renewable and clean. In addition to Hunter’s Learning Center wind energy purchase, the Mountain will make a donation to the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater and the Catskill Center for every home signing onto the Community Energy program during Sustainable Slopes Outreach Day, February 26st, 2005.

Every year, the snowsports industry works diligently to protect our natural resources, ensuring that an annual 11.5 million Americans nation-wide can continue to visit ski areas across the country, utilizing slopes and snow for fun, learning and relaxation. A worldwide warming trend is underway that could put a serious damper on these treasured winter pastimes. Global warming, which is caused by a surplus of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is a worldwide problem which has effects hitting close to the slopes. Predictions are that global warming will negatively impact the sports of skiing and snowboarding in years to come, by causing less snowfall and shorter seasons for ski areas (NSAA Keep Winter Cool campaign outline). Hunter is a proud participant in the National Ski Areas Association’s “Keep Winter Cool Campaign”, working hard to protect and preserve the slopes for years to come.