The Mountain Collective™, an alliance of independent mountain resorts including Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows, and Protect Our Winters (POW) have announced a partnership with the mission of uniting the winter sports community on the important issue of climate change.

From News Release - August 5, 2013

The Mountain Collective™, an alliance of independent mountain resorts, and Protect Our Winters (POW) are proud to announce a new and innovative partnership with the mission of uniting the winter sports community on the important issue of climate change. Both groups have worked independently to promote this environmental cause, and this collaboration will make and even bigger impact.

Protect Our Winters is the environmental center point of the winter sports community’s fight against climate change.  The Mountain Collective™ is comprised of six iconic destinations representing the core of the skiing and snowboarding world including Alta, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth Mountain, Snowbird, Palisades Tahoe/Alpine Meadows, and Whistler Blackcomb. Together, POW and these high profile resorts can impact the entire community and industry with incredible effectiveness.

“Through this groundbreaking partnership, The Mountain Collective™ has re-defined what a pass should be.  It not only represents access to six world-class destinations, but the foresight to realize that climate change is a threat to our sport and with that access, comes a responsibility to protect it for the long term,” said POW’s Executive Director Chris Steinkamp.

“Partnering with a leading organization like POW serves to reinforce The Mountain Collective™ as the most forward-thinking alliance of its kind,” said Christian Knapp, vice president marketing, Aspen Skiing Company. “Together we can leverage the power of our brands to promote meaningful climate advocacy that resonates with mountain resorts and snow sports enthusiasts alike.”

The partnership will include ongoing advocacy and cross-marketing initiatives, education and community outreach to raise awareness and promote environmental sustainability.  Additionally, POW members who purchase a Mountain Collective™ Pass will receive a year’s subscription to Powder magazine, and anyone who purchases a new Mountain Collective™ Pass will be offered a free one-year membership to POW.

The Impact of Climate Change on Winter Sports
The last decade was the warmest on record [NOAA, 2010]. Fewer ski days would not only reduce enjoyment for skiers, boarders and other winter sports enthusiasts, but also cause significant economic impact to an industry that supports 965,000 people and contributes $66 billion to the U.S. economy alone [OIA 2006, 2012]. Without action to reduce emissions, scientists predict that by 2039 the Northeast ski season will last less than 100 days and the probability of being open by Christmas will decline below 75% [Scott et al. (2008)].

About Protect Our Winters
Founded in 2007 by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones, Protect Our Winters is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to engage and mobilize the winter sports community to lead the fight against climate change.  Our focus is on educational initiatives, advocacy and support for community-based projects.  To find out more about Protect Our Winters, please visit us at www.protectourwinters.org.

About The Mountain Collective™
The Mountain Collective™ is an alliance of six of the premier independent mountain destinations in the West - AltaSnowbird, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Mammoth Mountain, Palisades Tahoe/Alpine Meadows and Whistler Blackcomb. Together they comprise 13,376 acres of terrain, 12 mountains, 186 lifts and 1,281 trails.  The Mountain Collective™ Pass allows access to all of member resorts and is available online through an exclusive technology, distribution and marketing partnership with Liftopia at www.MountainCollective.com.