BROOMFIELD - Over the past several weeks, Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:MTN) has been recognized by leading state and federal environmental and conservation organizations for their commitment to using renewable energy and Vail Mountain's leadership in environmental stewardship. Vail Resorts has been bestowed with the 2006 National Green Power Award and the U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Honor Award, and Vail Mountain recently received the State of Colorado Environmental Leadership Program's Gold Leader Award.

"We are honored to be recognized with these prestigious awards from the various state and federal agencies charged with protecting the natural environment. It is incumbent upon us to protect and enhance the spectacular natural settings in which we operate our world-class mountain resorts," said Rob Katz, chief executive officer of Vail Resorts.



EPA's 2006 National Green Power Award

Each year the EPA, U.S. Department of Energy and Center for Resource Solutions honor a group of organizations committed to advancing the development of the nation's green power market. The annual Green Power Leadership Awards, recognizing leading national green power purchasers and suppliers, were presented at an awards event on Dec. 4 in San Francisco. Vail Resorts was recognized for its purchase of 152,000 megawatt hours of wind power credits, which at the time it was announced last August, made Vail Resorts the second largest corporate purchaser of 100 percent wind power credits in the United States. For more information about the EPA Green Power Partners, visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.



U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Honor Award

The Regional Forester Honor Awards are presented each year for outstanding achievement by the U.S. Forest service employees and their partners. The Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. Forest Service reserves this award as its highest honor. On December 13, Vail Resorts received the Regional Forester Honor Award for its leadership and commitment in furthering sustainable operations.



State of Colorado Environmental Leadership Program's 24-Karat and Gold Leader Awards

The Colorado Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a voluntary one that encourages and rewards superior environmental performers who exceed the requirements of environmental regulations and move towards the goal of sustainability. The program recognized Vail Mountain with its Gold Leader Award, an honor going to businesses that meet certain criteria, some of which includes implementing and achieving continual environmental improvement goals which go beyond regulatory compliance, and implementing and maintaining a fully functional Environmental Management System. In addition, Gold Leaders must have maintained a clean compliance record at three years prior to applying to the program. The Colorado ELP's Gold Level is equivalent to the EPA's National Environmental Performance Track Program.

The Colorado Environmental Leadership program also recognized Vail Mountain with the first-ever 24-Karat Challenge Award, a traveling trophy representing a peer-nominated award among Gold Leader members. The award is based on environmental "above and beyond" activities submitted by each Gold Leader company. Each year the Gold Leaders will vote to decide on a new award winner.