The campaign against Snowbird's owner is attempting to appeal to Utah skiers and boarders.

Although Snowbird has won awards for its initiatives on environmental protection, the Utah ski resort’s owner is still taking heat for a business investment viewed as less than ‘green’.

A small group of protesters gathered in Salt Lake City last week to launch a protest against Snowbird ski resort owner Dick Bass’s plans to invest in a strip coal mine in an environmentally sensitive river in Alaska.

Environmental campaigners have been pointing out for weeks that on Snowbird’s website Bass writes, “My overarching dream for Snowbird is the creation of an environmentally sensitive, responsible year-round mountain resort which is inspired by the beauty and magnificence of this breathtaking alpine setting.”

“I’m here to ask Dick Bass to have that same dream for Alaska,” said Alaskan environmental activist Emily Fehrenbacher at a press conference during the protest.

The demonstrators argue that not only will those plans harm Alaska’s natural environment, they’ll also lead to increased burning of fossil fuels, further damaging the planet’s environment and shortening the future for all ski resorts, including Snowbird. A coalition of groups including the Sierra Club have launched an organized campaign to fight Bass’s intentions.

Local media reported that Bass has not been available to comment, and Snowbird staff have responded only to say it is not appropriate for them to comment on Bass’s ‘diverse business interests’ outside Snowbird.

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