Also I have a few bones to pick on Taos's claims and the interpretation of those claims. The 100% daytime solar seems to be an appropriate claims, but only because the utility that serves them is providing 100% daytime solar energy (https://kitcarson.com/electric/100-daytime-solar-energy-by-2022/). You're claim about the snowmobiles/coal is accurate but purely from a carbon standpoint they're a positive. As the grid gets greener that will only get better, and that doesn't even consider the reduced localized environmental pollution (gas and oil leaks and non-carbon emissions). And how could you forget the geothermal heat pumps! Those will be directly offsetting the use of natural gas or propane for heating purposes! Some of it's a little greenwashy, but it's better than doing nothing.
But you're right, always be dubious of excessive carbon credits.
That's a good point about how the grid will evolve with time, and probably in a positive direction. I just have an issue when people/firms are pressured to do away with unspeakable plastic straws or shopping bags or whatever and the state still uses coal to generate electricity.
As a Coloradan who skis without a season pass, this seems to gloss over the non-Vail/Alterra mountains that exist and have a real niche when it comes to accessibility and inclusion. They don't provide the same variety of terrain and runs as some of the large resorts, but I'm still exhausted and smiling at the end of the day.
From an economists POV, I'm curious if options like the Mountain Collective pass (offering 2 lift tickets to each of 25 different resorts) could temper some of the boom and bust of the other options. Regardless you can find me at #SkiMonarch where I haven't waited more than 5 minutes in a lift line in the last 6 seasons.
I think the issue is that Alterra and Vail have spread geographically to multiple regions, so they are really primed to take over. If you ski at all in the East and want to do a trip out West, often the cheapest option is to buy one of the two passes. And while I've had great days at independent mountains, it's to the point where all the best mountains are on a pass now.
Also I have a few bones to pick on Taos's claims and the interpretation of those claims. The 100% daytime solar seems to be an appropriate claims, but only because the utility that serves them is providing 100% daytime solar energy (https://kitcarson.com/electric/100-daytime-solar-energy-by-2022/). You're claim about the snowmobiles/coal is accurate but purely from a carbon standpoint they're a positive. As the grid gets greener that will only get better, and that doesn't even consider the reduced localized environmental pollution (gas and oil leaks and non-carbon emissions). And how could you forget the geothermal heat pumps! Those will be directly offsetting the use of natural gas or propane for heating purposes! Some of it's a little greenwashy, but it's better than doing nothing.
But you're right, always be dubious of excessive carbon credits.
That's a good point about how the grid will evolve with time, and probably in a positive direction. I just have an issue when people/firms are pressured to do away with unspeakable plastic straws or shopping bags or whatever and the state still uses coal to generate electricity.
I am aware of your issues
As a Coloradan who skis without a season pass, this seems to gloss over the non-Vail/Alterra mountains that exist and have a real niche when it comes to accessibility and inclusion. They don't provide the same variety of terrain and runs as some of the large resorts, but I'm still exhausted and smiling at the end of the day.
From an economists POV, I'm curious if options like the Mountain Collective pass (offering 2 lift tickets to each of 25 different resorts) could temper some of the boom and bust of the other options. Regardless you can find me at #SkiMonarch where I haven't waited more than 5 minutes in a lift line in the last 6 seasons.
I think the issue is that Alterra and Vail have spread geographically to multiple regions, so they are really primed to take over. If you ski at all in the East and want to do a trip out West, often the cheapest option is to buy one of the two passes. And while I've had great days at independent mountains, it's to the point where all the best mountains are on a pass now.