Climate change. Probably the second most talked about issue in the world today (after Covid-19), but of all things, how is it impacting winter sports? Last years winter was mediocre. The winter before was especially cold and snowy, with most ski resorts in Europe opening into late May, but why is this happening? The answer lies with climate change.

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What are the problems?
The lack of snow in the UK has always been a problem for the ski centres here, but in the Alps it has (most of the time) been guaranteed. The use of snowmaking has always been a solution to a poor snowfall at the start of the season, and twenty years ago most people would think it was just because of the weather patterns, another fall would be already on the horizon. Now, we know that snowmaking may not be an accessory but a necessity. The ski industry is under threat.

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What have we seen already?
This season just gone has seen a resort in the Pyrenees having to helicopter snow in from higher
mountains, just to stay open, and many described the hills green apart from the ski runs. This is not an uncommon sight in April or May but for that to happen in February, it’s not normal. And, even though it did snow in the UK this year, to not get a big fall until February is very unusual.

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What about money?
Some sources think that the ski industry will need up to $12 billion U.S dollars to survive the climate crisis. That’s only for the U.S. The UK’s ski resorts will need approximately £10 million to remain active, and European resorts will need up to €9 billion Euros to stay afloat in this emergency.

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And the towns?
Many towns rely on the ski industry for the majority of their income. Villages like Brueil-Cervinia in
Italy, and Flaine in France, would become ghost towns if the ski industry collapsed due to the climate crisis.

So, if you are a skier, then maybe up your game in fighting the climate crisis. For the sake of snow. Otherwise, our view from the slopes may be a lot less bright.