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Report

Eco Values + Sustainability

at Wintergreen Resort

Wintergreen Resort is committed to the evaluation and protection of our natural resources. We strive to enhance our natural environment and biodiversity by educating our guests and employees about best practices for protecting those resources. Sustainability programs are developed in tandem with our community partners to ensure alignment of goals that improve systems already are in place protecting our natural environment and resiliency. Eco Values represents our commitment to having a larger presence, ensuring participation, and educating our stakeholders on Sustainability initiatives at Wintergreen.

Eco Values

Wintergreen will utilize the collective participation of its guests, employees, and community partners to continue developing mindful programs that focus on enhancing the natural environment in which we recreate. The work ensures that each of us remains good stewards to our mountain home.

As we develop new sustainability programs, be on the lookout for the Eco Values logo around property which serves as a call to action to participate in sustainability programs such as waste diversion efforts.

Sustainability

Wintergreen Resort’s commitment to sustainability begins with supporting collaboration locally to achieve meaningful goals in sustainability. We want to ensure that Wintergreen remains a dedicated steward to our community, environment, and business.

Wintergreen is committed to optimizing its sustainable development. We strive to foster the balance between the environment, operational needs, and support of social systems that surround the resort. We aim to report solutions based on sustainable management systems and technology that positively impact operations for the long-term health of our mountain, community, and environment. Wintergreen will uplift the longstanding and powerful local partnerships through The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen (TNFW), Wintergreen Property Owners Association (WPOA), and others to ensure sustainable local impacts.

Wintergreen is dedicated to achieving its sustainability goals and continuing to be a leader in best practices for the industry and our community. We have already made significant strides to increase the efficiency of our operations. Here are a few examples of programs that help us to realize our larger goals in sustainability.

  • Report emissions through the NSAA Climate Challenge program and work towards earning Sustainable Slopes badge certifications beginning in 2026.
  • Research and implement new sustainability programs while utilizing monitoring tools in waste reduction, reducing water consumption, reducing energy use, and increasing transportation efficiency.
  • Develop Eco Values brand presence both online and on property as a call to action for employees and guests to participate in Wintergreen sustainability programs.
  • Support biodiversity and wildlife at our mountain home by keeping our mountain clean for our local flora and fauna.
  • Continue using our business voice to advocate for a sustainable future.
  • Uplift local partnerships through The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen (TNFW) and Wintergreen Property Owners Association (WPOA).
  • Wintergreen Resort goals include Increasing waste diversion rate through composting and recycling.
  • Wintergreen will work closely with utility partners to determine a responsible and feasible decarbonization or net zero goal.

Initiatives

Read about some of our Eco-Values + Sustainability initiatives!

A responsible steward of 11,000 scenic Blue Ridge Mountains acres, the Wintergreen Resort and community actively nurtures its environment, honoring and conserving precious natural resources. Partnering with The Wintergreen Nature Foundation (TWNF), it supports and promotes wildlife habitat preservation and environmental education.

Helping underwrite local conservation efforts, Wintergreen Resort adds a donation of $1 per night to each guest’s bill in support of The Wintergreen Nature Foundation, a not-for-profit partner. The Foundation invests an additional $1 for on-site conservation and education projects that help preserve Wintergreen’s flora and fauna for future generations.

Among the environmental actions and results undertaken at Wintergreen are:

  • Crawford’s Knob Natural Preserve is a 1450-acre tract that hosts preserved extensive wetlands and unique cliff space. Some ecosystems and species are the only record of their occurrence in Virginia and the southern range limit in North America. Recent research by archaeologists and biologists show both rare species of plants, a greatly narrowed band of migrating bird nesting sites and headwaters wetlands that form some of the Chesapeake Bay’s most pristine headwaters.
  • The American Chestnut Tree once comprised a quarter of the eastern hardwood forest from Maine to Georgia and west to the Ohio River Valley, providing valuable economic resources in timber, nuts, and abundant food source for wildlife. Wintergreen Resort has partnered with The American Chestnut Foundation to reintroduce the blight-resistant American chestnut to the forests of the Eastern United States.
  • Wintergreen’s best-loved community amenity, more than 30 miles of magnificent hiking trails, are supported and maintained by the resort and property owners associations and The Wintergreen Nature Foundation.
  • Transplanted native plants are common in landscapes throughout the Wintergreen community.
  • The Wintergreen community has won two national awards for the work of The Wintergreen Nature Foundation in environmental protection and education, including the prestigious Phoenix Award from the Society of American Travel Writers.
  • Unique Wintergreen ecosystem tracts have been removed from development and protected under nature preserve status, including the Shamokin Springs Nature Preserve and Allen Creek Nature Preserve.
  • We protect over 6,000 Wintergreen acres from development and are available for community use as open space, including Trillium Field Park, where thousands of Trilliums (wild lilies) bloom each May. The park is a photographer’s paradise and represents thousands of years of natural ecosystem development.
  • Storm Water Management Plans monitor storm drainage and manage snow run-off to preserve water quality.
  • Watershed streams are regularly monitored and tested for organism health, oxygen, acidity, and heavy metal deposits as part of a Water Quality Monitoring program.

Wintergreen Resort is actively working towards more sustainable waste diversion systems while ensuring that all waste is secure in bear-resistant bins.

  • Compostable take away boxes, straws, and sustainable food & beverage packaging at all Wintergreen food service locations.

Wintergreen Resort features high-pressure water supply infrastructure and a wastewater treatment plant managed by the Nelson County Service Authority (NCSA). This operation facilitates residential, snowmaking, and commercial water and sewage supplies.

  • Storm Water Management Plans monitor storm drainage and manage snow run-off to preserve water quality.
  • Watershed streams are regularly monitored and tested for organism health, oxygen, acidity, and heavy metal deposits as part of a Water Quality Monitoring program.
  • Water bottle refill stations are located in the Mountain Inn by the restrooms.
  • New snowmaking infrastructure allows for more efficient use of water on slope with less evaporation and water loss than traditional air/ water snowmaking systems.
  • All public restrooms are low water-use facilities.

Wintergreen is dedicated to the systematic improvement of our energy using infrastructure through strategic investments that benefit our resort and energy savings.

  • The new additions in the snowmaking infrastructure provide 10% energy-use savings as compared to traditional air/ water snowmaking equipment.
  • Low-energy occupancy sensors installed in public and back office areas.
  • Systematic replacement of lights concerting to efficient LED systems annually.
  • LED lights are used for the Christmas Grand Illumination display.
  • Wintergreen offers free shuttle transportation services on weekends and holidays during the winter season. Learn more about the Shuttle Service at Wintergreen HERE.
  • Upgrades to newer and more efficient fleet vehicles allow safe and lower emission transportation for staff operations.
  • Hired full-time and part-time sustainability staff in 2026 to further develop sustainability programming.

Partners + Advocacy

Wintergreen Resort is dedicated to aligning our beliefs for a sustainable future with both local and national partners who elevate our advocacy efforts. These partners help Wintergreen to monitor and report on our sustainability program. Sharing best practices and goals with our partners allows Wintergreen to develop sustainable programs for our business, community, and environment.

  • The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen.
  • National Ski Area Association (NSAA) Sustainable Slopes and Climate Challenge: Commitment to participate in NSAA Sustainable Slopes badge certification. program and Climate Challenge emissions reporting.
  • Wintergreen Property Owners Association (WPOA).
  • All Food service take away containers and straws are compostable at each food service location.
  • Reporting: Provide emissions data to the National Ski Areas Association Climate Challenge Program producing an annual sustainability report that publicly tracks Wintergreen sustainability goals and progress.
  • Wintergreen Resort employees are active in our community through volunteer efforts, various local boards, local chamber of commerce, legislative committees, and consistent advocacy with our utility stakeholders.
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