Green Initiatives

Shawnee Peak Introduces Pleasant Mountain Yurts

Bridgton, ME - Shawnee Peak Ski Area in Bridgton, Maine will offer year-round accommodations in Pleasant Mountain Yurts - a new mountaintop lodging option. A more luxurious alternative to traditional tent camping, Yurts give campers a sturdier, warmer, dryer experience, while allowing campers to experience the great outdoors and stunning views of Mt Washington!

Ultimately, there are plans for three individual yurts, which will be placed along the Sunset Blvd Ski Trail. Two of the yurts will sleep 6 people, 1 yurt will sleep 2. Planned pricing will be $125/night plus tax for double occupancy plus $10/night/person extra.

"This is a wonderful lodging option for folks who love the camping experience, but don't want to set up an entire camping site," said Ed Rock, General Manager and VP of Shawnee Peak. "Because all the yurts will face west, the views of Mt Washington and the Presidential Range will be stunning. Imagine enjoying your evening meal with the sun setting over Mt Washington. It will be incredible!"

Summer yurt stays will include swimming and canoeing in Moose Pond from Shawnee Peak's private dock and float. In winter, skiers and riders can stay in a yurt and have early-morning access to the slopes!

All stays will feature incredible panoramic views of the Presidential Mountain Range (including Mt Washington!), basic furnishings (dining and bed futons w/cushions), cookware, plates, utensils, firepits and bottled water for cooking and cleaning.

Summer guests should be prepared to hike to the yurt site (approx 1 hour hike uphill) and back down to the Main Parking area at the bottom of the Mountain. Winter guests will take the lift and ski down.  All guests will provide their own food and sleeping bags (futon sleep cushions are in the yurt).

About the yurts:

All of the wood components used to build Pleasant Mountain Yurts are CSF (Certified Sustainable Forestry), hand-selected, finely sanded, and finished with an oil preservative to ensure lasting durability.

Shawnee Peak Conserves Land and Rare Woodland

Perched above Shawnee Peak's Sunset Blvd Trail is the North Peak of Pleasant Mountain. This peak is home to one of the best examples of a rare and unique Red Pine Woodland found only at remote and scattered mountain top sites throughout Maine and New England. Shawnee Peak is committed to preserving the 27 acre woodland (and the rare grass also found at this site). In addition, Shawnee Peak has conserved 61 acres of land just beyond the East Area with its partner Loon Echo Land Trust. This property is now under permanent conservation and hosts the popular Pleasant Mountain hiking trail network and Needle's Eye waterfall and gorge.

Shawnee Peak Announces Environmental Initiatives for 2008-09

Bridgton, ME – Shawnee Peak continues to lead the way for the ski industry in terms of environmental stewardship. This year, Shawnee Peak has spent thousands of dollars with the end goal of using less energy, offsetting usage and recycling solid waste.
Shawnee Peak Offsets more than 800 Tons of Carbon
Shawnee Peak has partnered with The Royal River Youth Conservation Corps (RRYCC) to plant more than 600 trees to offset carbon emissions from mountain operations – including heating oil, propane and gasoline use.  Through a process called carbon sequestration, the trees will turn harmful carbon emissions into much-needed oxygen, cooling the planet and improving public spaces.
The RRYCC planted the trees in July 2008 at the mountain of the Royal River in North Yarmouth, Maine.
100% High-Efficiency Snow Guns
A major capital expense, all new high-efficiency snowmaking guns are the ultimate energy-saver.  Snowmaking operations use the most energy on the mountain.  By replacing more than 75 older, smaller, low-efficiency snow guns with 60 larger, high-efficiency guns, Shawnee Peak will be able to make more snow at higher temperatures, using up to 25% less fuel!
In addition, all snowmaking pumps (which are the largest users of diesel fuel) have been converted to variable speed drives to reduce consumption by up to 30%.
The New Great Room Features Solar Energy Use
The brand new Base Lodge Great Room, which will increase indoor seating by up to 25%, will features all-glass exterior walls, for incredible mountain views and to take advantage of solar energy.  By spending more one glass walls (versus traditional building materials), Shawnee Peak will reduce the amount of heating fuel needed for the room.
Other Green Initiatives at Shawnee Peak

• Special parking for Hybrid Vehicles. Drive your Prius and park in the front row!
• Online carpooling system – Shawnee Peak will encourage carpooling to the mountain by adopting the GOMaine commuter software.
• New Propane furnace for the Base Lodge, which is better for air quality.
• Major donations to the Nature Conservancy and Loon Echo Land Trust