Bicycle-Powered Ski Lift at Sierra-at-Tahoe®
Sierra™ Resort and Star Lifts USA Introduce A Prototype Lift That Relies On Human-Generated Power
South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – As part of Sierra-at-Tahoe® Resort’s Project: Green Sierra, the Northern California resort introduced a surface lift that transports skiers and riders using human power... pedal power to be exact. A person provides the torque to turn the lift by pedaling a stationary bicycle, which transmits the power to a drum at the top of the surface lift, which turns the lift.
Traditionally, both chairlifts and surface lifts at winter resorts are powered by electric motors. While many resorts buy offsets for the associated greenhouse gas emissions, the fact is that the resorts are still using the energy. Sierra Resort is applying its Project: Green Sierra philosophy of Part of the Solution to this particular issue by looking for ideas to eliminate, not just offset, emissions.
The pedal powered model provided to Sierra Resort by Star Lifts USA is a prototype that illustrates the type of environmentally-conscious development taking hold in the winter resort industry. While the human powered lift is not ready for resort-wide implementation, we are looking forward to the day when there are no greenhouse gas emissions associated with operating a winter resort.
The human powered lift was affectionately named the Greg LeMond Express by Sierra Resort’s lift maintenance department, after the first American cyclist to win the Tour de France.
For other ideas about how to make your ski experience green, go to sierraattahoe.com/info/winter/green.asp.
Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort: Part of the Solution
Known for its wind-protected slopes, incredible tree skiing, family programs and parks and pipes that are among the best in the nation, Sierra Resort is committed to being part of the solution to environmental conservation. Environmentally responsible operations that include parking spots reserved for guests driving hybrid vehicles and the use of eco-friendly cleaning products resort-wide let our guests know that we care about the land around us as much as they do. We have also partnered with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and the National Forest Foundation to offer our guests a convenient way to offset their greenhouse gas emissions.
The closest major resort to Sacramento , Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is located just 12 miles west of Lake Tahoe and receives an annual average of 480 inches of snowfall. For more information, visit SierraAtTahoe.com or call .
Thursday, April 10th 2008 @ 08:48 AM.
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