After the release of the 11th annual Ski Area Citizen's Coalition Report Card, there are clearly some resorts that need to play catch-up on their environmental literacy this season. To put it bluntly, the last three resorts on the report card received a 'D' for destruction of the mountain terrain on which they rely.

They do this to build newer, more comfortable lodges for their guests who fly thousands of miles to experience a ski trip that is thoroughly choreographed, but far from genuine. They build brands with merchandise and retail outlets; restaurants; you name it, they control the experience. Apart from being a great business model (can you imagine how much money can be made for a company that siphons all the resources that would normally go to a small town?) all this expansion is terrible for indigenous wildlife, the watershed, and to top it all off creates a massive carbon footprint, one they should try to avoid at all cost.

Tell these flunkies to take an example from the ski destinations at the top of the SACC Report Card, make some hard policy changes, and protect the mountains they should safeguard for future generations to enjoy.

Photo credit: Rennet Stowe via Flickr