11.20.2008

ResortQuest Certified Gold in Steamboat Sustainable Business Program


"ResortQuest Steamboat Vacation Rentals Goes For Green & Wins Gold!" Today, ResortQuest Steamboat Vacation Rentals was awarded Gold Certification status in the Steamboat Springs Chamber’s Sustainable Business Program.

The Sustainable Business Certification requires that a business demonstrate a reduction in energy usage, a plan to reduce, recycle and reuse as much of their waste stream as is feasible, and to put in place water conservation practices. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of policies, practices and purchasing habits is undertaken so that improvements can be identified.

“Perhaps the most notable achievement in ResortQuest’s sustainable business action plan is the program they have put in place for guests to recycle in the units”, said Lyn Halliday, President of Environmental Solutions Unltd LLC and the consultant on the project. “They have overcome many barriers that a large scale property management company faces when implementing an in-unit recycling initiative.”

This ski season, ResortQuest Steamboat is launching a Green Housekeeping and Recycling Program. Each of ResortQuest’s 300+ vacation rentals will have recycling receptacles which will be collected daily by a special Green Team. Paper, paperboard, plastics 1-7, glass, tin, and aluminum will all be stored and collected separately from non-recyclable trash in containers and recycling centers provided by the company.

  • Guest recycling and trash is collected on a daily basis
  • Towel and linen re-use program
  • Post-departure thermostat temperature control
  • Small appliances unplugged when not in use
  • Eliminate daily newspaper delivery and transfer to guest request program
  • ...more about Green Housekeeping and Recycling Program...

Other recent Green initiatives include:

  • ResortQuest is trialling paper Green-Key electronic keys which are made of renewable resources and are recyclable.
  • Vacation homes will now be stocked with Thymes Eucalyptus recyclable paper bottles for individual in-room shampoo, conditioner and lotion. They take the place of a multitude of small plastic bottles which generated a great deal of non-recyclable waste.
  • ResortQuest is transitioning to Cascades North River recycled tissue paper products and walnut shell kitchen scrubbing sponges.
  • Guest information on sustainable practices is included in the check-in packages.
  • Guests are welcomed to their vacation home with a delectable gift of chocolate confectionary created by Yepello Chocolates & Confections, hand-made in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

We are especially proud to partner with Yepello Chocolates not only because their products are exquisite, but because they also employ sustainable business practices by using recycled and recyclable packaging, as well as soy-based colorings. Furthermore, Yepello chocolates use locally grown products, such as local lavender for their Lavender Vanilla truffles, and local honey for their Cashew Honey truffles.

Many of the standard sustainability practices such as reducing their carbon footprint by changing light bulbs to more energy efficient types, improving building efficiencies, purchasing green products, are also now in place at over 300 units managed by ResortQuest Steamboat.

"Our eco quest is something that will be ongoing and we hope to be one of the leaders in our industry in this regard”, said Peggy Rogers, the ResortQuest’s Property Manager at Trappeur’s Crossing Resort.

Over 50 businesses in the Yampa Valley have enrolled in the Chamber’s Sustainability Program, launched in 2007. For more information please visit http://www.steamboatchamber.com/

We are proud of our progress. However... We are also the first to admit that we have a long way to go. Green practices are evolving and improving, and we are endeavoring to evolve and improve with them.

11.14.2008

$99 Flights to Steamboat Springs!

Delta, Continental and American Air Lines have just announced some unbeatable airfares to Steamboat Springs. Fly to Steamboat for as little as $99!

With the 2008/2009 season just weeks away and temperatures and snow falling; so are winter airfares into Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A. ®

Delta Air Lines is featuring a $119* each way, based on roundtrip purchase, from Atlanta and New York’s LaGuardia to the Steamboat Springs Airport - Steamboat/Hayden Airport (HDN). Continental Airlines is offering a $99* each way, based on roundtrip purchase, from Houston to Steamboat Springs. American Airlines announced a Winter Ski Promotion for flights from Chicago to the Steamboat/Hayden Airport, valid for airfares between December 18, 2008 and February 28, 2009. Last ticket date is November 26, 2008. For details, contact ResortQuest Steamboat's Flight Desk at (866) 546-7421.


Valid on the daily nonstop flights from Houston, Continental’s special fares must be booked between November 7th and December 7th; and are valid for travel starting January 7, 2009 through March 30, 2009. Available only on the daily nonstop flights from Atlanta and the Saturday nonstop flight from New York-LaGuardia, Delta’s fares require a 21-day advance purchase and are valid for travel from December 20th to March 28th.

The special fares may be booked either separately or along with all-inclusive lodging packages through ResortQuest Steamboat Vacation Rentals and our Flight Desk. Check-out ResortQuest's 3-2-1 Steamboat Lodging Package. Together with these flights, a 2008/2009 Steamboat ski vacation is unbeatable!