Sun Valley Resort has implemented an innovative geothermal system at Warm Springs Lodge that harnesses natural hot spring water to heat the 21,674-square-foot patio area. This sustainable solution eliminates the need for natural gas during the winter months when keeping pathways clear of snow and ice is essential for guest safety.

Project Overview

The system draws 135°F water from a nearby hot spring through an intake pipe to a pump house, where a plate heat exchanger transfers the natural heat to a closed-loop glycol system. The heated glycol (85°F) circulates beneath the patio surface, providing consistent snow melting from November through April.

Environmental Impact

This geothermal solution delivers impressive environmental benefits:

• Eliminates the need for 19,182 therms of natural gas annually
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 101 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent each year
• Comparable to removing nearly 24 gas-powered vehicles from the road

The Warm Springs geothermal project represents serves as a successful case study for future renewable energy and heat recovery projects at the resort and throughout the region. 

Awards & Accolades

In May 2025, Sun Valley Resort was named the first-place recipient in Climate Change Impact for the 2025 Golden Eagle Awards, in recognition of our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and the exceptional performance of our geothermal snowmelt system at Warm Springs Lodge. 

Forest decline in Blaine County over the past two decades has created uncharacteristic fire risk, contributing to two large wildfires (2007, 2013) around Bald Mountain, home of the Sun Valley Ski Resort. The Bald Mountain Stewardship Project (BMSP) is a multi-year, landscape-scale plan to improve forest health, reduce fire risk, and preserve the recreational experience on and around Bald Mountain.

Forest Health & Fire Risk Reduction

The BMSP reduces fuels by removing standing dead trees caused by insects and disease and by thinning trees to increase overall forest health and resilience. These efforts improve accessibility for emergency response crews and open new gladed skiing terrain previously blocked by dead and downed trees. Additional forest health work includes noxious weed removal, installing MCH packets to deter insect infestations, and replanting trees to increase biodiversity. 

Project Results:

• 272 acres thinned (Frenchman's, Greyhawk, Cold Springs, College, and Warm Springs terrain)
• 90 additional acres planned for thinning in 2025 (Olympic Ridge terrain)
• 31,500 trees planted to date
• 5,600 additional trees planned for planting in 2025

For the past six years, the National Forest Foundation and Sun Valley Resort have led a coalition of over 60 individuals and organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and private landowners, to address declining forest health on Bald Mountain and surrounding areas.

Southern Idaho Wood for Life

The National Forest Foundation’s Wood For Life program supplies firewood from forest restoration efforts to Indigenous communities for home heating. 

Program Results:

• 2,320 cords of firewood supplied to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe and Shoshone Bannock Tribe at Fort Hall
• 720 additional cords planned for 2025

Conservation Fund with National Forest Foundation

Sun Valley Resort guests can add a $5 donation to the National Forest Foundation when purchasing lift tickets, passes, rentals, and recreation products online. Donations directly fund recreation and forest health projects in the Sawtooth National Forest, including BMSP.

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Sun Valley Resort has been certified as a Whitebark Pine Friendly Ski Area by the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation (WPEF), recognizing our commitment to protecting mountain landscapes. The threatened whitebark pine is crucial to high-elevation ecosystems, providing essential wildlife habitat and food sources throughout the Intermountain West.

In partnership with WPEF and the U.S. Forest Service, we've implemented conservation strategies including planting 500 whitebark pine trees on Bald Mountain in the fall of 2024, marking a significant step toward preserving this important species. Visitors can explore our educational installation at Lookout Lodge, participate in self-guided whitebark pine ski and hike adventures year-round, or join complimentary weekly ski tours in the winter to learn about these remarkable trees.

Guests can support these efforts by adding $5 to pass purchases for the Sun Valley Resort Conservation Fund, supporting sustainable projects within the Sawtooth National Forest.

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Additional Resources

Sun Valley Resort has installed a 70.2kW solar panel system on the roofs of our employee dorm buildings. With over 200 sunny days annually, solar energy is an accessible renewable energy source in Sun Valley, ID. This project is ongoing and will help offset energy costs and reduce overall energy consumption in these buildings.

Sun Valley Resort hosted the FIS Ski World Cup Finals in March 2025, a widely attended event that spanned Bald Mountain & its base areas, the Sun Valley Village, and Downtown Ketchum. Throughout this large-scale event, our teams worked to divert waste, encourage sustainable travel, and facilitate guest engagement in sustainability initiatives.

Waste Diversion

• 67% of waste generated was diverted from the landfill through donations, recycling, and composting.
• Diverted food waste was processed by Winn's Composting, our local compost facility, and returned to the resort for use in on-property landscaping.

Sustainable Travel

• Event attendees were encouraged to utilize public transportation and shuttle services to reach the race venue. Hotel guests and VIP ticket holders were transported via electric vehicles. Public transportation and shuttle service ridership during the World Cup reached approximately 50,000 rides.

Stewardship Fund

• Sun Valley Resort, in collaboration with the National Forest Foundation, offered guests the chance to contribute to conservation and restoration efforts within the Sawtooth National Forest and Ketchum Ranger District when purchasing a lift ticket. For every dollar donated by guests, the National Forest Foundation matches it with an additional $0.50, effectively amplifying the impact of this important program.

Event Procurement

• The VIP tent at the event used compostable cups, silverware and plates. Venue tents, athlete wax rooms and race course materials were rented and reusable.

Engagement

• Sun Valley Resort hosted a film screening and panel discussion centered around U.S. Ski & Snowboard's initiative Easy Green. 
• Guest-facing waste diversion stations were staffed by attendants to assist spectators with proper waste diversion. 
• The World Cup Vendor Village included tents from the Forest Service and the Climate Action Coalition, providing information and resources related to local initiatives. 
• The Forest Service led nature-based ski tours daily.

When Sun Valley Resort updated employee uniforms for the 2024-25 winter season, we partnered with team member Cyndi Terry to launch an upcycling initiative that transforms retired uniforms into apparel and accessories available for purchase in our retail outlets. 

Working entirely with materials from the original uniforms, Terry crafted items from bucket hats and pouches to tote bags and stuffed bears. Her process involved deconstructing each uniform completely and repurposing every component, including using jacket insulation as stuffing and transforming pant hems into durable straps.

By upcycling a portion of uniforms locally, with the remainder shipped to Warm Around the World and ReFleece, we reduced transportation emissions compared to traditional disposal methods and supported a circular waste solution that keeps textile materials out of landfills. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to innovative sustainability and waste diversion practices.