Ski resorts make the grade

Recent storms have dumped tons of snow in the mountains, making it the perfect time to hit the slopes. Fortunately for the eco-conscious, the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition has evaluated and graded the eco-friendliness of the West’s ski resorts.

Long on to www.skiareacitizens.com to see how 83 California and Nevada resorts fared in four categories, including watershed and habitat protection. On the Web site, you’ll find grades for resorts in other states, too. SACC’s annual Environmental Report Card is a non-industry, independent mechanism that gives recreational users a way to assess the environmental performance and policies of their favorite ski areas and resorts.

Here’s how a sampling of resorts fared in a couple of categories:

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Resort overall grade habitat protection Squaw Valley USA A A Alpine Meadows A A Boreal Mountain Resort B A Kirkwood Mountain Resort B C Sierra-at-Tahoe B B Mt. Shasta Board and Ski Park B A Northstar-at-Tahoe) C C Sierra Summit Mountain Resort C A Bear Valley Mountain Resort D F