Cable 2015 receives green certification

“We are proud to welcome visitors from around the globe to Cable in the coming weeks for this sustainable international event.”

Even with snow on the ground, Cable, Wisconsin, USA, has found a way to go green for the 2015 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships.

Coming up from 23 January – 1 February, the event has officially been Travel Green Wisconsin (TGW) certified. From volunteer headquarters to mass transit and local food, the World Championships has proven its commitment to sustainability and reduced environmental impact to become more energy efficient and environmentally conscious.

“We are proud to welcome visitors from around the globe to Cable in the coming weeks for this sustainable international event,” said Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett. “Wisconsin has a rich legacy of stewardship and having the IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships join our Travel Green Wisconsin membership shows the world that we’re a leader in eco-tourism.”

Cable 2015 is expected to see 150 of the world’s best athletes from 20 countries, including members of Team USA, competing for honours in cross-country and biathlon events, in the biggest gathering of Nordic skiers since the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

The World Championships are going green in a number of different ways. The Cable Area Chamber of Commerce refurbished an abandoned building and turned it into a media and volunteer headquarters, restoring the site with energy efficient lighting and heating it with a wood pellet stove. The event is also cutting down on car emissions by providing mass transit for spectators. Waterlines from old ski hill snow guns have been repurposed into the 26 flag poles that will be used in the competition. The official torch sculpture is made of repurposed and recycled wood and metal, created by local artist Sara Balbin. The Brickhouse, known for using locally sourced food, is catering the World Championships. Finally, businesses that are already TGW certified are being used for the event including Lakewoods Resort and Cable Area Chamber of Commerce.

Travel Green Wisconsin is the first of its kind in the US and has served as a model to promote environmentally-friendly practices in the tourism industry. The program is unique for its inclusion of all tourism-related businesses and organisations including but not limited to attractions, events, accommodations, outfitters, restaurants, retail, visitor centers and more.