Aspen, CO., June 24, 2009 – Mike Kaplan, president and CEO, Aspen Skiing Company, is among a group of business leaders who have been invited to the White House to push the business case for strong climate and clean energy legislation before a key House vote Friday on the Waxman/Markey bill.

The executives will meet with Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett and Carol Browner, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change. The goal of the meeting is for the White House to discuss business efforts to advocate for comprehensive climate legislation, and to explore how we can work together to continue to broaden that support as a climate and energy bill moves through Congress.

“We are honored to be included in this group and we appreciate the Administrations leadership on this issue,” says Mike Kaplan, president and CEO Aspen Skiing Company. “Climate change is the most significant long term threat to the ski industry and we have already begun to see the impacts of global warming on our mountain environment. In the Roaring Fork Valley alone thousands of people’s jobs depend directly upon winter sports. We urge Congress to take significant action now to control future emissions and to ensure we save snow and the economic viability of mountain resorts like Aspen for current and future generations.”

Aspen Skiing Company is among a group of businesses that signed onto print ads published in the Wall street Journal and key DC newspapers this week urging Congress and President Obama to lead and swiftly enact comprehensive legislation to ensure America’s prosperous and competitive future.

The Waxman/Markey bill or American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES)

H.R. 2454, implements the a cap and trade mechanism to regulate greenhouse gas emissions; promotes job growth by supporting development of clean tech jobs; implements renewable energy and energy efficiency standards ; and provides support for consumers and industries in transition to a clean energy economy.

Kaplan will also take the opportunity to meet with key staff from Representative John Salazar’s office to voice ASC’s support for the bill.

Aspen Skiing Company operates the four mountains in the Aspen/Snowmass area – Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk – as well as the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass. The area offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (3 miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (EGE) (70 miles from Aspen). For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 800-525-6200 or 970-925-1220, or visit the company’s website at www.aspensnowmass.com.