Sun Valley might make the grade for world-class skiing and world-class golf, all offered in the lap of rural Idaho luxury, but a watchdog group has given the resort below-average grades for environmental protection.
The Ski Area Citizens Coalition has released its 2006-2007 Environmental Scorecard for ski areas in the West, and Sun Valley received a 'D'.
The criteria given the most weight by the coalition's study included current and proposed plans to increase existing ski area terrain, real estate development, water conservation, and protecting and maintaining threatened or endangered species and their habitats.
Sun Valley scored perfect marks for species preservation, but the coalition cited the resort's proposal to establish 102 acres of new skiing terrain on Guyer and Seattle ridges as serious reasons for environmental concern. The expansions will require boundary adjustments that include what the coalition describes as "disturbed areas."
Real estate endeavors, including at the 67-acre Sun Valley Gun Club parcel, 15-acre Penny Mountain parcel and the 76-acre Proctor subdivision, were also frowned upon by the coalition. Permanent plans for the latter two areas have not yet been established.
Expanded snowmaking coverage, a concept various local skiers appreciate, received one of the largest deductions in the grading mechanism.
"The Sun Valley Co. does not possess any water rights permits for additional water rights use for snowmaking," according to the coalition.
Sun Valley spokesmen Jack Sibbach said it is important to, "look at Sun Valley Co.'s track record over the years."
"We have been very sensitive to the environment," he said.
Indeed, Sun Valley's scores have fared better in the past, when expansion plans were not as prominent.
The coalition's scorecard makes it difficult to see exactly what Sun Valley Co. is doing right because the resort is not afforded the opportunity to comment on areas where it met criteria, Sibbach said.
Jackson Hole, Wyo., which received a 'B', has a few positive notes on its scorecard including a note that states the resort purchased clean, renewable wind energy credits to offset 13 percent of its electricity use.
Jackson Hole received a very low mark, however, on its protection and maintaining of threatened and endangered species. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department expressed concerns about the Targee bighorn sheep herd, among other animals being threatened by the resort.
It is notable that throughout Idaho, Montana and Wyoming there was only one 'A' awarded by the coalition. That went to Boise-area Bogus Basin Mountain Resort, a small not-for-profit ski area.
Three of Aspen Skiing Co.'s four Colorado ski areas also received 'A' grades, along with Alpine Meadows, Calif., and several other Western resorts. The Colorado resorts of Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Winter Park all received 'F' grades.
To view the Ski Area Citizens Coalition Scorecard, visit its Web site at www.skiareacitizens.com.
Sun Valley Resort was penalized in an annual review of environmental practices for its plan to expand skiing on Bald Mountain. Photo by Willy Cook
