SAM Magazine—Taos Ski Valley, N.M., Feb. 22, 2017—Taos Ski Valley is the first ski resort in the world to become a Certified B Corporation, a recognition awarded to for-profit companies that meet the highest standards of economic, social and environmental performance, and public transparency. These standards are verified by B Lab, a “nonprofit organization that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good.” There are 2,048 Certified B Corps in the world.

Key initiatives that contributed to Taos Ski Valley's B Corp certification include its Taos Verde initiative, which is the cornerstone of its environmental efforts; its significant investment in the surrounding community for better economic prosperity for all; and its commitment to fair wages and a positive work environment for all employees, which includes a $10 minimum wage for resort employees, well above New Mexico's $7.50 state minimum.

“Louis Bacon, owner of Taos Ski Valley and a lifelong conservation philanthropist, has been completely supportive of these efforts as the long-held values of Taos are being validated with this certification,” said David Norden, CEO of TSV, Inc. “The people who live and work at Taos Ski Valley have long known about our commitment to the community and our investments in the ongoing health of our mountain ecosystem.”

The performance standards Taos has met are comprehensive, transparent and verified, and going forward, the resort is both ethically and legally required to consider the impact of its decisions on all its stakeholders, a move the company welcomes, the resort said.

Other Certified B Corp companies include Patagonia and New Belgium Brewing Co.

• Previous
  SAM Summer Ops Camp Heading to Killington
• Next
  Arapahoe Basin Terrain Expansion, Future Projects Approved