Sustainability on the slopes

As winter arrives and our mountains fill with skiers, snowboarders and visitors from around the world, it's the perfect time to shine a spotlight on some of the sustainability work happening behind the scenes on our local ski fields.

This story is the first in a new series showcasing local businesses and organisations that are turning climate ambition into action. Supporting a thriving, sustainable, low-emission business community is a key focus of QLDC's Climate and Biodiversity Plan, and we're excited to share some of the inspiring work already underway across the district.

We're kicking things off with Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone, whose long-running sustainability journey shows how lots of small improvements can add up to meaningful change over time.

Running a ski field comes with unique challenges. Everything that goes up the mountain eventually needs to come back down again, from food and beverages to packaging and waste. More than a decade ago, Cardrona and Treble Cone started asking whether there were better ways of doing things and have continued building on those improvements ever since.

That journey has included removing single-use plastics, eliminating plastic drink bottles, composting food scraps and coffee grounds, reducing packaging and introducing reusable systems throughout their operations. In 2018, Cardrona became New Zealand's first ski field to go single-use cup free, eliminating around 80,000 disposable cups each year.

Today, both mountains operate without landfill bins for guests and continue looking for opportunities to reduce waste and keep resources in use for longer. Partnerships such as Wastebusters' Re-Action programme also help ensure superseded uniforms are given a second life rather than ending up in landfill.

As an industry that relies on cold temperatures and healthy alpine environments, climate change is also a key focus. Cardrona and Treble Cone are working to reduce emissions through free shuttle services, staff transport programmes and carpooling initiatives that reduce the number of vehicles travelling up the mountain. They have also invested in more efficient grooming equipment, modern snowmaking technology and energy management systems to reduce energy use.

Work is also underway to reduce reliance on diesel generators wherever possible. At Cardrona, increased grid capacity has enabled greater use of renewable electricity, while Treble Cone has invested in technologies that maximise available mains power and supplement supply with hydro-generated electricity from the mountain stream.

Underlying many of these initiatives is a simple philosophy: sustainability is considered in all major decisions. Whether purchasing equipment, awarding contracts, upgrading infrastructure or reviewing operational practices, environmental impacts are considered alongside other business priorities.

The resorts are also measuring and tracking emissions to better understand their footprint and identify opportunities for reduction. Importantly, there is a recognition that sustainability is a journey rather than a destination. The focus is not on being perfect, but on continually asking whether there is a better way and having the commitment to keep improving.

The work extends beyond waste and emissions. Through the Plant a Seed programme, Cardrona and Treble Cone are helping restore the mauri of the mountains by planting native shrubs and trees that provide habitat for insects, lizards and birds. Compost generated on the mountains is used to support many of these plantings.

The resorts are also contributing to biodiversity protection through the Predator Free Maunga programme, which helps protect native wildlife including kea, kārearea and native lizards, while supporting the broader Southern Lakes Sanctuary vision of landscape-scale predator control across the region. Cardrona and Treble Cone also support the work of the Kea Conservation Trust and conservation research projects that help build our understanding of local wildlife.

Many of these initiatives didn't begin with a single ambitious project. Instead, they have been built over time through hundreds of practical decisions, driven by curiosity, innovation and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

The good mahi happening at Cardrona and Treble Cone shows how local businesses are finding practical ways to reduce their environmental impact while helping protect our special alpine landscapes and unique native wildlife. It's also a reminder that meaningful progress doesn't require perfection. Often, it starts with asking a simple question: is there a better way to do this?

This is just the first of many stories we'll be sharing over the coming months. Together, they highlight the many different ways businesses, community groups and organisations across Queenstown Lakes are contributing to a more resilient, sustainable and biodiverse future.

Know a local business, organisation or community group doing great work in climate action, biodiversity or sustainability? We'd love to hear from you at climateaction@qldc.govt.nz 

Photo credit: Cardrona/Treble Cone Alpine Resort