Mammoth-area cabin earns silver LEED certification

A two-bedroom cabin at Tamarack Lodge, overlooking Twin Lakes in the Mammoth Mountain area, has earned silver certification from the LEED green building program.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. The silver rating means it adheres to a more strict green-building protocol than a building rated "certified," but less than a gold- or platinum-rated building.

According to a press release, this is the first LEED building in the ski area.

The green elements of the cabin include:

• Materials extracted, processed and manufactured within 500 miles of the site
• Environmentally friendly hardwood flooring
• Recycled carpeting and decking material
• Local masonry rock
• Pest-resistant siding
• Recycled and local drywall
• Energy-efficient windows
• Local concrete aggregates
• Recycled fiberglass insulation.
• Added insulation (exceeds California energy requirements by more than 37%)
• Dual-flush toilets that average 33% less water use than standard toilets
• Enhanced air ventilation and air-to-air heat exchanger
• Timers on bathroom exhaust fans
• Documented waste-management practices during construction
• Nearby access to a free shuttle

The LEED cabin, one of 34 cabins at Tamarack Lodge, was a collaboration between Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Woodward Architecture and Boyer Construction (both in Mammoth), and BECx Engineering in Truckee. The cabin will be available as a vacation rental beginning in July.

(Photo: Business Wire)