Protect Our Winters Launch in Thredbo

Overview

Alpine resort Thredbo has been making some serious tracks in the fields of environmental awareness and sustainability this year. Earlier this month, it announced that 100 percent of its lifting and snowmaking electricity will be offset for this winter season thanks to a partnership with Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Project (ALFA), a not-for-profit company owned by the Aboriginal people of Arnhem Land. It has also been named as the inaugural partner of advocacy group POW (Protect Our Winters), which has recently launched its Australian chapter. POW is all about protecting winter and the alpine environments in Australia, with initiatives targeted at protecting slopes like those at Thredbo and reducing human impact.

To celebrate these new partnerships, Thredbo is hosting an educational celebration this weekend. There'll be talks from the board members at ALFA, as well as Hike for POW happening on Friday, July 27: a hike to the top of Mt Kosciuszko, open to all backcountry snow goers and led by US free skier Chris Davenport.

If hiking a mountain sounds a little too intense, the weekend will celebrate National Tree Day as well. Since 2014, Thredbo guests have offset almost 8000 tonnes of carbon emissions by planting more than 30,000 trees. So, why not join them? Over the weekend, attendees can purchase a tree friend and be assured it's doing extra good — Thredbo is matching all donations throughout the time.

Thredbo's environmental weekend will take place from Friday, July 27 to Sunday, July 29. For more information on its environmental initiatives, register for the Hike for POW or buy a tree, visit the website.