Lake Tahoe ski resort banning sale of plastic water bottles

OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. — Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows will stop selling single-use plastic water bottles in an effort to reduce waste and serve as stewards of the Tahoe-Truckee environment.

Since the start of the season, all bottled water has been removed from Squaw-Alpine owned and operated venues, except for Starbucks due to contractual obligations, said Michael Radlick, spokesperson for the resort.

As part of the resort’s “Drink Mountain Tap” program, visitors may purchase a collapsible 16.9-ounce, BPA-free reusable water bottle for $3 (plus tax) fee that can be filled at one of 24 refill stations to be located at various spots around both ski areas for free, Radlick said.

“... We can lead by example to show businesses that these kinds of changes are environmentally as well as fiscally viable,” Andy Wirth, president and CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, said in a statement. “... It will provide a cost savings to our guests who can refill a sustainable container with free water that comes straight from the mountains.”

The reusable bottles will be sold at Parallel Mountain Sports and The Ledge Board Shop in Squaw and Estelle Sports in Alpine Meadows, according to the resort.

Tap water at Squaw-Alpine is supplied by the local mountain watershed. The water, which is supplied by local districts, has been recognized as the best tasting water in the state in recent years.

The resort estimates Drink Mountain Tap will remove at least 28,000 plastic bottles from going into landfills annually based on the average bottles sold in the previous two seasons, Radlick said. It further aims to inspire guests to rethink their daily habits by choosing reusable products over single-use items, according to the resort.

No other U.S. ski resort has undertaken an initiative of this kind, but the resort hopes others follow suit, according to Squaw-Alpine.

Visit squawalpine.com/mountaintap to learn more.