Sustainability

At the end of 2024, we participated in a global research study on the carbon intensity of food served in restaurants and cafeterias. Conducted by the Department of Tourism Research at Linnaeus University in Sweden, the study helped us better understand the emissions associated with the food we serve and identify opportunities to make more informed menu decisions.

Every meaningful journey starts with knowing where you stand. Rabbit Hill has completed a full Scope 1 (Emissions Rabbit Hill produces directly) and Scope 2 (Emissions associated with electricity and energy purchased and consumed) carbon emissions inventory and a partial Scope 3 (Indirect emissions such as transportation and waste) inventory, establishing the baseline that anchors our entire sustainability program.

The winters that we embrace are only possible when we protect the climate that sustains them. That’s why Rabbit Hill has set a bold, long-term target: net zero emissions by 2050.

In April 2024, we established a cross-departmental Sustainability Committee to drive environmental initiatives. These meetings combine sustainability education with brainstorming sessions to develop solutions tailored to our unique rural location.

One of our first initiatives was conducting a waste audit to assess opportunities for waste reduction. Since forming the committee, we have:

We look for opportunities to reuse, repair and repurpose materials before sending them to landfill. That includes everything from terrain park materials to retired staff uniforms. We are concious of how we source, use, and retire everything from rental equipment to building materials.

Our terrain park team finds creative ways to repurpose old materials, transforming barrels, scrap wood, and other salvaged items into innovative park features.

For our 70th anniversary, we partnered with Blenderz Garment Recyclers to upcycle retired staff uniforms into bags and accessories – providing guests with a tangible piece of our history while reducing textile waste in landfills.

We were excited to find new ways to prevent our old uniforms from going to the landfill. This past spring we donated 91 uniforms to the North of 50 Project. We are always looking for new ways to repurpose items across the resort.

Where a greener option exists, we’re looking for it, choosing it, and encouraging our partners to do the same.

We want to work with partners who share our values and are taking meaningful steps toward a lower-impact future. So we ask our suppliers questions about their emissions, sustainability practices, and commitments because real change extends beyond our own walls and into the supply chain.

At the same time, we’re exploring lower-emissions alternatives across our procurement, from products stocked in the lodge to the materials and services that keep the hill running.

We also focus on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), ensuring the products we purchase are designed for longevity and responsible disposal. In fall 2025, we purchased new Snowsport School uniforms from Helly Hansen, the only ski wear manufacturer with an EPR program.

At the end of each day, any leftover food from our cafeteria is shared with our hardworking staff, reducing food waste while taking care of our team. At the end of the season, any unopened bulk food items are donated to support our wider community and ensure nothing goes to waste. In the 2024/2025 Season, we donated these items to the Parkland Foodbank, and in the 2025/2026 Season, we donated to Ronald McDonald House Edmonton.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of snowsports. Through our partnership with CADS (Canadian Adaptive Snowsports), we offer accessible programs that make skiing and snowboarding more inclusive.

Our tubing park is also designed to be welcoming to all, ensuring as many people as possible can join in the fun.

As members of the City of Edmonton’s Waste Reduction Network, we gain valuable educational resources and participate in local sustainability initiatives.

Each season, we donate unclaimed lost-and-found clothing items in good condition to the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, giving them a second life in our community.

In September, we participated in the St. Albert Clean & Green River Fest, strengthening our knowledge of local ecosystems and sustainability. Through this event, we connected with regional partners focused on environmental conservation, including:

Each season, rather than purchasing brand-new radios, we rent or trade equipment, reducing costs and minimizing unnecessary waste.

We prioritize working with local companies and suppliers, ensuring our spending supports the regional economy while reducing transportation-related emissions.

Our commitment to sustainability extends to our procurement decisions. We have transitioned to recycled paper products throughout our administration offices, reducing our environmental impact.