Heavenly and Kirkwood announce 2015 EpicPromise Award winners

This week, as part of the first EpicPromise Week, Vail Resorts will present the first ever EpicPromise Awards to two Heavenly or Kirkwood employees for their ongoing commitment to strengthening the local community and fostering a sustainable environment. The EpicPromise Awards are being given at Vail Resorts’ mountains across the country as part of the first annual EpicPromise Week (April 6-10, 2015), a full week dedicated to celebrating Vail Resorts’ widespread commitment to creating a more promising future for generations to come.

“EpicPromise is how we bring our ‘Do Good’ value to life,” said Pete Sonntag, chief operations officer for Heavenly Mountain Resort. “EpicPromise Week highlights all that we do, and that our employees do, to make South Lake Tahoe an even stronger community and our world a better place. The EpicPromise Awards help recognize employees who embody EpicPromise each day and inspire other employees to give back.”

Heavenly and Kirkwood are honoring the following individuals:

EpicPromise Mountain Award
Awarded to employees who lead with environmental sustainability at our resorts, are change agents within their departments, and reduce the Company's environmental impact

Winner: Kelso Carapia, Heavenly Ski & Ride School
Each week, Kelso Carapia shares her love of Lake Tahoe’s forests and lakes with Heavenly’s guests through the Ski With A Ranger program. Normally, Kelso works as an instructor with the resort’s ski and ride school. But on her day off, she dons a different uniform, working with United States Forest Service and educating guests on the ecosystem. Through this work, she has strengthened the resort’s relationship with the USFS, a critical partner.

Additional Nominations:
Colby Dick: Through his role with Heavenly’s parking department, Colby has become an environmental leader for the resort taking every opportunity to conserve energy and inspire employees to follow his lead.

EpicPromise Community Award
Awarded to employees who illustrate passion to make a difference in their community, have a continued commitment through donation of time to a charity, and inspire others to take action and give back

Winner: Riva Enteen, Heavenly Ski & Ride School
As a volunteer for CASA of El Dorado County, Riva Enteen has given hundreds of hours in the last two years lifting up the voice of a child in the courtroom, making sure that that child’s wishes are heard and needs were met. Outside of the courtroom, Enteen became a mentor, helping with school work or taking her CASA child snowboarding. She also worked with his parents to make sure they received needed treatment. Because of her commitment, her CASA child was recently reunited with his parents.

Other Nominations:
Debbi Waldear: founded Friends of Hope Valley to protect Alpine County’s natural resources
Glen Smith: provides leadership to the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District where his passion inspired projects to restore Rosewood Creek in Incline Village
Marcie Canale: her commitment ensured that over 200 had the right snowsports equipment so they could participate in the SOS program and learn to ski or ride at Heavenly
Mike Allen: his passion inspired MEFIYI kids to start giving back in their communities
Paul Pfotenhaur: raising funds and awareness through St. Baldrick’s to support a co-worker’s daughter as she fights her battle with cancer
Jolena Hearn: since 2007, has jumped into any and every role at the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Center to make sure the animals are taken care of and the charity can continue its work
Leonard Smith: has volunteered with Bread & Broth once a month for the last year

Over the last five years, in addition to the impactful work of our employees, Vail Resorts has consistently demonstrated a commitment to sustainability through environmental and community support, including:

Over $7.8 million in contributions to more than 250 non-profit partners annually
Energy reduction of 10 percent and a pledge to reduce another 10 percent by 2020
More than $4 million raised through Vail Resorts’ guest donation program to sustain forest health*
A leadership role in the restoration of the Hayman Fire area located on the Front Range of Colorado which improved the water source for 75 percent of Coloradoans
Donates 20,000 company-sponsored volunteer hours annually

For more information about EpicPromise Week activities at Heavenly Mountain Resort and Kirkwood Resort and Vail Resorts’ commitment to sustainability and community partnership, visit www.EpicPromise.com.