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Stewardship & Sustainability

Wolf Creek Ski Area Environmental Practices

Wolf Creek Ski Area sees the importance of being an environmentally conscious ski area, as well as being a leader in maintaining sustainable business practices. For these reasons, Wolf Creek purchases 100% renewable energy in the form of solar and wind, is dedicated to forest stewardship, has installed EV Charging stations, uses biodegradable oils in machinery and has water free restrooms. The 2022-23 ski season will mark Wolf Creek’s 16th consecutive season of purchasing renewable energy for mountain wide and year round operations. Wolf Creek Ski Area is also a proud member of EPA Green Power Partnership since 2006. The Environmental Protection Agency recognized Wolf Creek Ski Area as a 100% Green Power User since 2013 with the exception of 2017 where Wolf Creek totaled 95.5% for Green Power. The EPA has also recognized a few years of W.C.S.A. surpassing 100% on green power. Through renewable energy practices, Wolf Creek has removed the equivalent of 250 cars from the road last year and/or 15.4 tanker trucks worth of gasoline.

 

Powered by the Sun Since 2017!

  • Solar Power is produced from the Penitente Solar Project
  • The Penitente Solar Project is 25-acre solar farm located East of La Garita
  • Solar photovoltaic system is a 2.75 megawatt AC (alternating current) project
  • Annual output of 7,000 kilowatt hours
  • Wolf Creek Ski Area uses roughly 1,000 kilowatt hours a year
  • W.C.S.A. is proud to be working with the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative
Media Highlights:
Powder.com - Wolf Creek Becomes First Solar Powered Ski Area
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Renewable Energy Since 2006!

  • In 2006 Wolf Creek began purchasing wind power offsets from the SLVREC who was supplied by Tri-State Generation & Transmission
  • 100% Green Power of Electricity Use since 2013 with the exception of 2017 (95.5%)
  • Renewable Resources
    • Wind
    • Solar
    • Low-Impact Hydro
Media Highlights:
Ski Area Management - Sunny Side Up
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Forest Stewardship

Wolf Creek’s forest, like most in Colorado, is dealing with the enormous and on-going campaign of reducing the dead trees from the plight of the spruce bark beetles within the ski area permit. Wolf Creek has employed a helicopter service each summer to fly out as many dead trees as it is economically possible. With the forest floor being littered with fallen dead and blown over trees, the removal process is critical to allow for early season access and better conditions on low snow years.

  • Heli-logging
    • Annual practice since 2009
    • W.C.S.A. employs a helicopter service each summer to fly out as many dead trees as economically possible
    • Flying dead trees out with helicopter maintains integrity of the ground
    • Reduces erosion & protects watershed
  • Over the Snow Tree Removal
    • Minimizes impact to soil
    • Protects the watershed
  • Vegetation Management Plan Goals
    • Remove hazard trees and reduce fuels
    • Facilitate regeneration
    • Identify the needs of wildlife
    • Stop erosion
    • Protect the watershed
    • Provide a safe and enjoyable experience for our guests

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Wolf Creek, already known for going solar and being a leader in sustainable business practices, constructed an onsite EV charging station in the summer of 2021.  The ChargePoint Charging Station is located in the Lower Parking Lot.  Upon arrival, parking attendants will direct you to the station.  The charging station offers five connections with one being Level 3 (fast charge) and the remaining four being Level 2 (medium charge).

Charging Station:

  • ChargePoint Charging Station
  • 5 connections
    • 1 - Level 3 (fast charge)
    • 4 - Level 2 (medium charge)
  • A state of the art metering system was purchased and installed this off-season
    • Will allow discounted rates during specific times of the day for guests and commuters wishing to charge their electric vehicle
  • Plans for the station to be pave

Helpful Tips:

  • App based to charge
    • ChargePoint App
  • ChargePoint Apps lists prices, reviews, location, etc.
  • Review charging station prior to visit in case you need an adapter

100% Biodegradable Hydraulic Oils in Heavy Equipment

The Biodegradable oil is manufactured out of grape seed oil and is guaranteed to break down into a completely biodegradable product in less than four weeks.  Wolf Creek is unique in using this product and has done so for well over a decade.

Water Conservation & Quality

Wolf Creek Ski Area’s snow pack provides essential watershed into a vital American water source.  Not only is Wolf Creek very mindful of the watershed, but also conservation of water in facilities at the ski area.  Low water-usage toilets were put in place in 1982 long before it was proper to save water resources.

Water-Free Restrooms

  • 3 modern water-free restroom facilities on mountain
  • These eco friendly restrooms are water-free, composting and have zero discharge
    • Top of Treasure Stoke & Raven Chairlifts
    • Bottom of Alberta Lift

In-depth Water Sampling

  • Bi-annual in-depth sampling conducted by an independent water firm
  • Samples are taken from all major streams passing through Wolf Creek Ski Area

Other Eco-Conscious & Friendly Practices

  • Products that are routinely recycled
    • Kitchen oil
    • Glass & aluminum
    • Steel
    • Cardboard
    • Paper & magazines
  • Wolf Creek e-Cycles computers, monitors, printers, keyboards and cartridges
  • Old uniforms are also recycled
  • Paperless Practices
    • Season Pass Contracts 
    • Rental Forms
    • Mailings
    • Employee Safety Trainings
    • Employee Hiring Packet
  • Natural snow, staff and supplementing natural snowfall with manmade is all needed to help long awaited, much anticipated holiday skiing possible.  It is estimated that 30,000 to 40,000 barrels of snow is farmed at the beginning of each season.
  • Biodegradable hydraulic oils in all heavy equipment
  • Encourages car pooling among employees
    • Provides shuttle services to and from the ski area for employees during peak periods

Community Contributions

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Contact & Hours

General Contact Info

Address
WOLF CREEK SKI AREA
P.O. BOX 2800
PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO 81147
Email
WolfCreekSki@WolfCreekSki.com
Phone
(970) 264-5639
Snow Report
1-800-SKI-WOLF
Ski Patrol Dispatch - FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY
(970) 264-4325
Social Media

HOURS OF OPERATION

Normally lifts are open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; however there are periods of time when this schedule does not apply. The public may see lifts opening at 9:00 a.m. early season or during a big storm cycle.
Please check the conditions page to confirm lift hours
RAVEN LIFT
8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
ALL OTHER LIFTS
8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
TICKET OFFICE
8:15 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
HALF-DAY TICKETS
12:30 P.M.
RENTAL SHOPS
7:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
TREASURE SPORTS
8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
NOEL SPORTS
9:00 A.M - 4:00 P.M.
BASE AREA EATERIES
8:30 A.M - 4:30 P.M.
CONTINENTAL ESPRESSO BAR
8:30 A.M - 2:45 P.M.
ON-MOUNTAIN EATERIES
11:00 A.M - 3:15 P.M.
PATHFINDER BAR
11:00 A.M - 4:30 P.M.

Employment

Wolf Creek Ski Area is hiring full-time, part-time and peak period employees for the 2023-2024 ski season!
View current job openings and complete an application.
Open Positions