As the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina approach, snow blankets the Dolomite slopes, promising an exciting start on February 6. Yet, climate change looms large, threatening the reliability of natural snow and pushing the costs of artificial snowmaking higher, thus impacting the skiing industry and enthusiasts across Europe.
Climate Change and Its Impact on the Winter Olympics
The renowned ski areas in Italy’s Belluno province are experiencing warmer temperatures and reduced snowfall, a trend felt across the entire Alpine region. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) acknowledges that global warming, primarily driven by fossil fuel consumption, is reshaping the geography of the Winter Games.
Historically, 21 locations have hosted the Winter Olympics since 1924. However, a 2021 study by researchers at the University of Waterloo, Canada, indicates that without significant climate action, only four of these sites will remain viable by mid-century. If global temperatures rise by 4 degrees Celsius by 2050, only the Japanese ski resort of Sapporo may be suitable by 2080.
Even if the Paris Agreement succeeds in capping warming at 2 degrees Celsius, only nine Olympic locales could potentially host the Games in 2050, decreasing to eight by 2080.
Europe’s Dependence on Winter Sports
While the Winter Olympics occur every four years, the ski industry operates year-round, contributing approximately €180 billion to Europe’s economy in 2022. The Alpine region, a hub for winter tourism and biodiversity, is home to 80 million people across five EU member states and additional countries like Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
Germany leads Europe in ski resorts, boasting 498 locations according to a 2020/21 Statista report, followed by Italy and France. However, a study published in Nature Climate Change warns that 53% of Europe’s 2,234 ski resorts face high risks of insufficient snow if temperatures rise by 2°C. Under a 4°C scenario, 98% could be snow-challenged.
Artificial Snow: A Costly Alternative
Many resorts turn to artificial snowmaking to address snow scarcity. Producing artificial snow for a one-kilometer slope can cost between €30,000 and €40,000, according to the AGI agency. However, this solution is not sustainable long-term due to the economic and environmental costs involved, including significant water and energy use.
François Hugues from Inrae highlights the need for resorts to rethink business models to adapt to climate impacts. “The costs associated with the production of [artificial] snow itself are in any case relatively marginal compared to the overall costs of running a ski resort,” he notes, but stresses the environmental impact on water resources.
Rising Ski Pass Prices
As the costs of snow production rise, so do ski pass prices. Since 2015, skiing expenses in Europe have surged by 34.8%, with the steepest hikes in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. Christophe Clivaz from the University of Lausanne warns, “Skiing will become a sport for the rich,” as maintenance costs increase.
Assoutenti reports that ski passes for the ‘Dolomiti Superski’ now reach €86 per day, up from €67 in 2021. Similar trends are seen in other popular areas, reflecting the financial strain on ski enthusiasts.
As resorts attract wealthier tourists from afar, like the UK and Spain, environmental concerns grow due to increased travel emissions. Hugues concludes, “This may be positive from an economic point of view, but it will complicate things from an environmental and climate point of view, as this will increase greenhouse gas emissions linked to tourist travel, fueling climate change even more.”
Original Story at www.euronews.com