We love the outdoors. Protect Our Playground highlights what we can do—both individually and collectively—to keep our Rocky Mountain landscapes healthy, vibrant, and thriving.

In 2026, that commitment feels even more important, especially when it comes to conserving water—one of our most valuable and limited resources. Small actions, like reducing waste and using water thoughtfully, can make a meaningful difference in preserving the places we love.

There’s so much to explore right here in our own backyard, and we want to keep it that way.

he Town of Vail continues to support the GoPro Mountain Games and our sustainability goals as we work to reduce our impact and build a more responsible future. Whether you’re visiting or call Vail home, creating a more sustainable event takes all of us—and we’re committed to doing our part.

We’re focused on strengthening existing initiatives while finding new ways to improve. As stewards of the rivers, streams, and trails that host the GoPro Mountain Games, we’re dedicated to protecting these natural resources—especially our water—for today and future generations.

• Waste diversion: In 2025, 89% of waste generated at the event was diverted from local landfills. In 2026, our goal is 90%.
• Reusable Containers: Don’t forget your reusable water bottle! Complimentary hydration refill stations are set up throughout Vail allowing for free refills (and less waste)
• Renewable Energy: In Purina Pro Plan Dog Town, we’re harnessing Colorado sunshine with a portable solar trailer to help power the event—showcasing how renewable energy can help protect our playground. This effort is made possible in partnership with Active Solar Energies and Sol-Ark.
• Work with event partners to make green choices: Be mindful of on-site giveaways by using consumable, reused, recycled and upcycled options. Try and minimize additional waste in packaging with soft plastics and excess cardboard.
• Be an Advocate: Join the Green Team! We are always looking for people to help spread the word and help onsite at the event. Visit the GoPro Mountain Games website to volunteer with this great team.
• Giving back to the community: Want to help out more? Be a part of the GoPro Mountain Games Protect Our Playground Day of Service when Mountain Games staff, volunteers and athletes give back by taking care of the rivers, mountains and land that play host to the event.
  • Protect Our Playgrounds Service Days:
  • 2026  Restore the Gore – planting project
    
  • 2025 Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance Trail Maintenance
  • 2024 Mountain Clean Up on Vail Mountain
  • 2023 Restore the Gore – planting project
  • 2022 Eagle River Cleanup including Gore Creek with the Eagle River Watershed Council

• Bring a reusable water bottle and fill up at one of the complimentary hydration refill stations around the GoPro Mountain Games
• Clean up after yourself, your dog and others. Take a moment to pick up a piece of trash you find along the trail, in the Village or anywhere in the Town of Vail
• Consider alternate modes of transportation: Bike, walk, carpool or use public transit (sorry, no dogs allowed on Town of Vail buses, though)
• Take care of YOUR playground year-round
• Join our Green Team: Here’s your chance to make a REAL difference and support Walking Mountains, Vail Mountain, the Town of Vail and GoPro Mountain Games in their sustainability efforts. The simple goal is to limit the amount of trash going to the landfill by providing guidance and hands-on assistance for guests disposing items at the Zero Hero Stations.
  VOLUNTEER WITH THE GREEN TEAM

RESTORE THE GORE – PLANTING PROJECT

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

date/times:

Thursday, June 18, 2026
8:30am – 12:00pm
Meeting location TBD
Picnic lunch to follow
Open to all volunteers

OVERVIEW:

Gore Creek is at the heart of the GoPro Mountain Games and plays host to our whitewater events each year. But it does much more than that. It is a delicate ecosystem that supports wildlife, stabilizes our waterways, and provides habitat for native plants that help the environment thrive. It needs our help to stay healthy.

The GoPro Mountain Games Day of Service, as part of our Protect our Playgrounds initiative, invites volunteers of all ages and abilities to join a hands-on planting day. Together, we’ll restore the creek banks with native trees, shrubs, and groundcover to help prevent erosion, improve water quality, and create a lasting legacy for the community.

Every shovel, every plant, every volunteer helps restore Gore Creek and leaves a lasting impact on this cherished natural playground.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Gloves – if you have your own, bring them; if not, we’ll have extras.
• Comfortable shoes – trails and parks can be muddy or uneven.
• Water bottle – stay hydrated while making a difference.
• Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.
• Snacks

WHAT WE WILL SUPPLY:

• Shovels
• Plants

REGISTER TODAY:

• Click here to become a volunteer
• Once signed up for the GoPro Mountain Games event, you will be able to select this shift by using the filter tool: enter the keyword ‘Playground’ under “Name” at the top, then click “Refresh” to see the relevant shift.
• Click ‘Apply to Selection’ and you will be all set.
• Any questions? Email us at [email protected].