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Red Mountain Resort Rejects Polyester and Makes Wool Standard Issue for Staff

Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:00pm EST

Partnership with Australian Wool Innovation Turns Red into International TestCenter

ROSSLAND, British Columbia, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Mountain Resortand Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) are spearheading a program to promote theuse of natural fabrics in technical performance environments. From the shuttledrivers to the bartenders to the ski patrol on the hill, everyone at RedMountain has gone natural with 100% merino wool baselayer supplied directlyfrom the Australian wool industry.

The initiative began last season when resort staff complained about thestench in their locker room from synthetic baselayers. As any skier knows,polyester fibers retain body odor after a hard day's work on the mountain. Inresponse to this well-known predicament, Red management issued wool tops andbottoms to all 150 employees. Next-to-skin baselayer, a mandatory accessory incold climates, came courtesy of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and I/OBiocompatibles.

"Australian Merino is a natural fit," said Stuart McCullough, director ofNorth American operations at AWI. "Red Mountain is the ultimate resort forserious skiers and snowboarders and Merino is the ultimate technical outdoorperformance fiber. Together, they provide a one-of-a-kind experience that isunmatched in the industry."

AWI points out that merino is ideal for base layer apparel as it isdurable, soft, breathable and keeps wearers warm in the winter and cool in thesummer. No longer itchy, it wicks away moisture to keep adventurerscomfortable at all temperatures and activity levels. As a natural fiber, it iswell aligned with the values upheld by the environmentally-conscious communityof outdoor enthusiasts.

In return for the wool apparel uniforms, Red employees provide feedback to20 questions concerning fit, design, performance, and washability of thematerial, weighed against how the worker uses it. AWI then provides theinformation to members of the Australian wool industry so they can make thebest quality natural products for the future.

Red Mountain Resort has been touted as a pioneer in the resort world foradhering to sustainability not just of energy and resources but of mountainculture, ethos, and experience. The wool initiative is a program of TheMountain Project at Red. The Mountain Project provides guests a diverse andmeaningful year-round resort experience celebrating the mountain lifestyle.More info here: http://www.themtnproject.com/

Contact: Sally Murdoch

503-735-5943

sally@sallymurdoch.comSOURCE The Mountain ProjectSally Murdoch, +1-503-735-5943, sally@sallymurdoch.com, for The MountainProject



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