Mountain IDEAL
A Destination Stewardship Toolkit for Resort, Rural, Recreation, and Gateway Communities
Program Overview

Destination Stewardship is the big-picture approach to the careful and responsible management of "common pool" resources (e.g. public lands, climate, water, affordable housing, equitable access). It requires community-wide collaboration and participatory planning to identify a shared vision and common goals.
Mountain IDEAL is your destination stewardship toolkit.
At its core, Mountain IDEAL is a sustainable destination management standard that is formally recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The standard was designed to guide destination managers through the process of implementing a stewardship framework to advance sustainable community development through responsible, regenerative, and transformational tourism.
The Mountain IDEAL Destination Stewardship Framework aims to:
- Improve quality-of-life attributes
- Enhance visitor experience
- Safeguard sense of place
- Amplify community engagement & equity
- Activate economic development
- Drive sustainable growth
- Protect public lands and recreation assets
- Regenerate biodiversity and environmental resources
- Celebrate diversity & cultural heritage
- Manage visitor impacts
Program Toolkit
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Assessment Tools
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Planning Services
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Recognition Programs

Four U.S. Destinations Standout by Achieving Mountain IDEAL Sustainable Certification
Aspen, Breckenridge, Vail, and Park City have announced their Mountain IDEAL certification as sustainable destinations. By completing the certification in 2024, these four destinations stand out as industry leaders who have reached a significant milestone toward a more sustainable destination for...

Mountain IDEAL Celebrates Five Destinations on Green Destinations Top 100 List
Each year the tourism industry awaits in anticipation for the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories list. This annual competition is organized by Green Destinations and celebrates international destinations that have notably practiced sustainability best practices. Through these winning stories,...
Vail Achieves Recertification under Mountain IDEAL Standard
(Vail)— Following a rigorous audit process in late 2020, Vail is celebrating the achievement of recertification as a Sustainable Destination under the Mountain IDEAL standard. This coveted achievement builds upon the initial certification in 2017 when Vail become the first Certified Sustainable...
Mountain IDEAL Celebrates GSTC-Recognition During Launch of Multi-Session Learning Series Designed for Resort, Rural, Recreation, and Gateway Communities
Recent Workshop Provided Practical Insights and Effective Steps for Communities Seeking Destination Stewardship Solutions; Participants Heard from Guest Speakers and Received Destination Assessment and One-on-One Coaching