Mammoth Mountain, which owns and operates a variety of resort businesses, just finished building the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified structure in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. The 1,336-sf, three-bedroom, two-bath cabin opened to travelers early this month at Tamarack Lodge & Resort, one of Condè Nast Traveler's Top 50 Ski Hotels and one of Sunset Magazine's Top 10 Lakeside Resorts.

The green cabin, which joins 34 traditionally built properties, was created in partnership with three California businesses, locally based Woodward Architecture and Boyer Construction and BECx Engineering of Truckee. It meets or exceeds LEED specifications, which are by the U.S. Green Building Council for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

The cabin features environmentally friendly hardwood flooring, recycled carpeting and decking material, local quarried stone and concrete, pest resistant siding, energy efficient windows and recycled fiberglass insulation. With added insulation and thermal windows, the cabin exceeds California energy requirements by more than 37%, says Rusty Gregory, CEO of Mammoth Mountain.

It also has a compact hot water distribution system that allows hot water to reach the end user faster, a high performance fireplace that eliminates air leakages and dual-flush toilets that average 33% less water than standard toilets. Other "green" technologies include enhanced outdoor air ventilation provided by an air-to-air heat exchanger that supplies the required 45 cubic feet per minute of fresh air and exhaust timers on bathroom exhaust fans.

Within the past year, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. opened the nation's first LEED-certified hotel chain and Choice Hotels International Inc. revised its construction prototypes to reflect green building standards.

• In Lexington, MA this month, Starwood opened the eco-friendly doors of element Lexington, an extended stay hotel chain that focuses on nature-inspired and eco-friendly touches. Starwood describes it as its "green trailblazer," with the intent of migrating key concepts to its sister brands including Westin, Sheraton and Le Meridien Hotels. The element brand includes features like extensive use of natural light and guest rooms include kitchens with Energy Star-rated appliances.
• Last summer, Choice Hotels International Inc. modified prototype specifications for all of its new construction brands--including Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites and Suburban--to support LEED certification. Since most of the company's properties are franchised, the recommendations are optional. However, Choice executives say they will help franchisors determine the economics of their projects' designs. Choice has been working with LEED accredited consultants to green up its hotel building designs.