How is climate change threatening to close ski resorts?

Climate change poses a significant threat to ski resorts around the globe. Rising temperatures resulting from greenhouse gas emissions has caused winter seasons to be shorter, less predictable, and more likely to involve extreme weather events. The winter season is directly related to the state of the snowpack. A healthy snowpack provides a reliable source of snow accumulation, which is essential for the operation of ski resorts. This lets ski resorts create well-groomed slopes, optimal terrain, and the opportunity for people to enjoy winter sports.

What are the effects of climate change on ski resorts?

As the climate grows warmer, ski resorts have begun to experience challenges within their operations. It is difficult for ski resorts to remain open as long as they have in the past, there is less skiable terrain, and resorts have been increasingly reliant on artificial snow production. Shifting weather events and unpredictable weather patterns such as rain-on-snow events and irregular freeze-thaw cycles continue to damage the already degraded snowpack. These changes threaten the existence of winter sports and the economies of mountain communities.

How long can ski resorts survive without intervention?

Without quick and significant action to address climate change, the future looks grim for skiers and snowboarders everywhere. As temperatures rise and the snowpack declines, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for ski resorts to operate. And, with the loss of snow and shorter winter seasons, it appears that sometime in the near future, winter sports may be completely eliminated from many regions.