Resort Press Room

Last Call to Ski and Save 'Green' in Aspen

The Gant and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation Help Spring Skiers Be Green and Save Green

ASPEN - Mar. 10, 2008 - With the majority of Colorado ski resorts nearing the end of the ski season, skiers eagerly await the savings that springtime affords. This spring, The Gant in partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), doles out 'green' that's both good for the wallet and the environment. The Gant, a Destination Hotels & Resorts property, today released its "Spring Ski, Be Green" travel package that gives skiers one last opportunity to ride four magnificent mountains and simultaneously offset the carbon footprint of their travels to Aspen with BEF Mini-Green Tags. The Spring Ski, Be Green package is valid April 1-13, and includes accommodations, lift tickets, $30 American Express card and a Mini-Green Tag matching incentive program. The Gant will match the amount of guest purchased Mini-Green Tags at $2.00 each and extend an additional 10 percent discount for guests that purchase 10 or more Mini-Green Tags.

Last year, the Aspen Skiing Company installed the largest solar photovoltaic array in the ski industry, a 10.64-kilowatt system on the company's Thunder River Lodge affordable housing complex in Carbondale, Colo. The system is more than four times larger than the next largest system in the ski industry, ASC's 2.3 kW system at Aspen Highlands. This effort is the latest in an on-going, multi-approach commitment by Aspen Skiing Company to address everything from habitat protection and on-mountain education to green development and purchasing and climate protection. Other program highlights include building one of the first 11 LEED certified buildings in the world; becoming the first ski resort in the United States to be certified to the ISO 14001 standard; launching the first climate change education campaign in the ski industry; and becoming the first ski resort to fuel all of its snowcats with biodiesel.

"Mini-Green Tags from BEF are a renewable energy certificate product that began as a way for skiers in particular, to offset the impact their entire travel experience has on the environment," said Erin Peck, director of sales and marketing at The Gant. "First time visitors or long-time returning guests need only look around Aspen to understand why programs like these are so vital to keeping the places we live, work and play pristine. This is one of many different ways we are behaving in a sustainable way and encouraging our guests to do so as well."

Each Mini-Green tag purchased supports 100 kilowatt-hours of new renewable electricity generation from wind energy. The goal of the program is to build support for non-polluting renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar energy.

Spring Ski, Be Green Package Details

• Two nights accommodations in a one-bedroom condominium
• One lift ticket per person, per day for duration of stay
• Complimentary overnight ski tuning
• $30 American Express card
• Matched purchase of Bonneville Mini-Green Tags to offset carbon emission from travel

Starting rate: $275 per night (Rates will vary based on final travel dates. Certain rules, restrictions and blackout dates may apply.)

Starting total package rate: $550

Estimated Savings: 15 percent (Bonus: Receive an additional 10 percent discount when guests purchase 10 or more Mini-Green Tags upon checkout)

Promo Code: LastGT

Aspen/Snowmass has something for all budgets. From food and spirits, to community culture and events, to recreation and pampering, there are many bargains to be found at Aspen/Snowmass. With the money guests will save from the Spring Ski, Be Green package, following is a list of the top 10 under $10, courtesy of Aspen/Snowmass.

1. An Aspen Quickie - After a day on the slopes, head to the Sundeck Restaurant and lodge on Aspen Mountain and indulge in a well-deserved quickie neck and back massage for just $10.

2. Learn a bit of Aspen History - Pay a visit to the Wheeler/Stallard Museum for a bit of Aspen history. Built in 1888, this Queen Anne-style home sits on the grounds of the Aspen Historical Society and offers rotating exhibits on Aspen's storied past. Admission is $6 adults, $3 children 12 and under, $5 seniors.

3. Outdoor Ice Skating - There's nothing like skating in the outdoors with beautiful Aspen Mountain as your backdrop. The Silver Circle ice rink is right in town and can be enjoyed for just $2-$4 (depending on age) with $2 skate rentals.

4. Naturalists Nights - Once a week, participate in Naturalist Nights, courtesy of the Aspen Center of Environmental Studies, and learn about current natural history topics Adults are just $3 and children ages 7-17, are $2.

5. Bar Menus: Eat Out Every Night - Some of Aspen's finest restaurants offer a bar menu. Eat at the bar and enjoy similar entrees served in the main dining area for around $10 a plate.

6. Apres: The Mountain Town's Happy Hour - Hunker down at Little Annie's for a $2.75 shot and beer. At Mezzaluna, enjoy a beer and pizza for $10. The Mountain Dragon in Snowmass offers free apres appetizers until they're gone!

7. Heritage Aspen & West End Walking Tours - Visit the Aspen Historical Society museum for $3-$6 (depending on age). Or, take a West End Walking Tour for $10 with guides who lead you through the historic West End of Aspen.

8. Aspen Art Museum - Visit the Aspen Art Museum on Thursday evenings between 5-7 pm to attend the Art After Hours free reception with refreshments and gallery tour.

9. Visit the Popcorn Wagon - For a late-night snack or a mid-day pick-me up, visit the Popcorn Wagon in the heart of downtown Aspen for popcorn starting at $1.50, hot crepes for $3.50 and fire dogs (hot, spicy sausages) for $3.75.

10. Art Gallery Tour - Take a free stroll through Aspen's colorful streets and visit the town's thirty art galleries. With everything from world-renown artists including Dale Chihuly, David LaChapelle, and Robert Mapplethorpe to local artists, you are bound to see something you like.

About The Gant
The Gant is Aspen's finest condominium resort. A resort within a resort, The Gant offers high quality, friendly hotel services at the highest level of any Aspen condominium property. Situated in a peaceful enclave at the base of Aspen Mountain with convenient access to downtown and the ski lifts. The Gant's privately owned condominiums are regularly refurbished and fully equipped, offering the comforts of home to today's travelers and meeting guests, with the services of a hotel.

About Destination Hotels & Resorts
The Gant is one of more than 30 independent, upscale and luxury hotels, resorts and golf clubs in the United States managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, the fifth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. The company, headquartered in suburban Denver, Colo., features a portfolio of more than 7,000 guest rooms, 10 golf courses and 12 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Houston, Denver, Dallas, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Maui and Lake Tahoe. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1998 and was a pioneer in developing the market for renewable energy certificates, which it calls Green Tags. BEF reinvests all the net revenues from Green Tags sales in support of its mission, which funds solar power systems for schools and businesses, wind power systems for farms and ranches, and restoration efforts for salmon-bearing streams. Visit www.GreenTagsUSA.org to learn what individuals, utilities, and businesses are doing to increase the use of wind and solar power in our nation's electricity grids.