A community-wide effort to promote environmentally sustainable commuting choices is returning to Whistler this fall after a three-year hiatus.

The Whistler Way Commuter Challenge, which last took place in 2006, is set to take place Sept. 22 to Oct. 5. Billed as “a friendly, fun competition among participating businesses and organizations with the goal of reducing single-passenger vehicle trips,” the challenge includes incentives for those who get to work by walking, running, skateboarding, cycling, carpooling or taking public transit.

“About 50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions from the resort are from vehicle transportation. We’re trying to make a dent in that,” Donna Savage, Commuter Challenge coordinator, said on Tuesday (Sept. 7).

“A lot of people I’ve talked to say this is a concept that they agree with but can’t see where it fits into their life,” she added. “The objective here is to expand those possibilities, where possible, and since I’ve been doing this project I’ve found more and more people saying, ‘Oh, I can do that.’

“What I tell people is to think about the possibilities and see where you can save money and save on greenhouse gas emissions.”

Online registration for the challenge has been open for a couple of weeks and about a dozen businesses had signed up by Tuesday, said Savage, who added that she expects around 80 business to sign up. In each case the businesses or groups name a “champion” to help spearhead participation in the challenge and serve as Savage’s main contact with the company.

Beginning today (Thursday, Sept. 9), individual visitors to the Whistler Way website (www.whistlerway.ca) can sign up to participate. Savage said those who aren’t part of a business or organization that has already signed up will be asked to be “champions” for their workplaces.

During the 14 days of the challenge, individuals will receive points for each day they don’t drive to or from work in a single-occupant vehicle. Those who ride in two-person carpools will receive two points for each trip, while those who carpool with three or more, or who bike, rollerblade, skateboard, walk, run or ride transit will receive four points per trip, for a total of eight points per person, per day.

Those who earn 40 or more total points will receive one entry into a draw for a Whistler Blackcomb season’s pass, an annual family pass for Meadow Park Sports Centre, and an annual B.C. Transit pass for Whistler. Those who earn 80 points or more will hill have their name entered into the draw twice, Savage said.

Various workplaces are encouraged to challenge others in their sector (say, hotels, restaurants, banks, etc.) to see which can achieve the most points per participating employee.

Savage said the Resort Municipality of Whistler has an interdepartmental challenge in the works. As well, she said, there’s been a rumour that “another large organization” in town plans to challenge the RMOW, and that the challenge rules will stipulate that the loser incur a penalty.

“It’s meant to be fun,” she said.

Workplace “champions” will also have their names entered into a draw for one of three sets of two tickets to a Whistler Arts Council Performance Series show this winter, one of three 10-punch Meadow Park Sports Centre passes, and one snowmobile or ATV tour.

Winners will be announced at the Whistler Chamber of Commerce luncheon in October. For information visit www.whistlerway.ca or phone Savage at (604) 935-8195.