The Greening of Elk Camp

Elk Camp Restaurant's salad bar may be legendary, but it's receiving accolades for a green of a different kind: It recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification through the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the fifth of Aspen Skiing Co.'s buildings to earn such accreditation. 

The building is highly energy efficient through a complex energy management system and improved mechanical equipment. In terms of interior design, carpet tiles were made from renewable and recycled product; the wood used throughout is 50 percent FSC certified; and all water use is reduced through efficient landscaping and technology. All of the paint used is even VOC-free! 

Even with all of these touches, Elk Camp is architecturally and design-wise a feat. Nestled above 10,000 feet, the building maintains a sense of warmth and rugged mountain feel for which Aspen is known, and achieves this green status without sacrificing in style. It's something we look to when considering our own designs and will continue to turn to Aspen Skiing Co. and its building departments for inspiration. 

When SkiCo opened the Sundeck in 1999, it became LEED certified and was just one of 11 buildings in the world to earn that praise. Since then, ASC has built four more LEED buildings, with one more under construction. The other buildings are the Snowmass Golf Clubhouse (silver, and no longer owned by ASC), Holiday House employee housing (Platinum), Sam’s Smokehouse (gold), and now Elk Camp (silver). ASC’s new Limelight Hotel in Ketchum, Idaho, will also be LEED certified.

Way to go SkiCo! Cheers at altitude to you. 

·