Winter Olympics: Adapting to Climate Change
As climate change continues to challenge the world, the future of the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games remains a topic of great interest. A recent study has shed light on how these beloved sporting events might endure over the next five decades despite the environmental challenges.
Researchers Daniel Scott from the University of Waterloo and Robert Steiger from the University of Innsbruck have investigated the climate reliability of potential host sites for these games. Their findings, published in the November 2025 edition of Current Issues in Tourism, suggest that although the pool of potential host locations may shrink, the games can continue to thrive globally.
“Under a more probable mid-range emission scenario, 52 locations remain climate-reliable for the OWG in the 2050s and 46 in the 2080s. The scheduling of the PWG in March put it at higher risk, with only 22 climate-reliable locations in the 2050s and 16 in the 2080s,” the study explains.
The research emphasizes the importance of sustainable snowmaking technology as an adaptation strategy. When applying a stringent snow depth requirement, the number of reliable locations slightly decreases. However, the study remains optimistic, asserting, “With continued adaptation, the OWG-PWG can endure as a genuinely global celebration of sport.”
Based on data from the 2019 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, the study projects warming in mountainous regions to continue at approximately 0.3°C per decade. This rate surpasses the global warming average, posing challenges for winter sports.
An analysis of historical temperatures at past Winter Games locations reveals a warming trend. From the 1920s to the 1950s, the average maximum daily temperature was 0.4°C. This figure increased to 3.1°C from the 1960s to 1990s and surged to 6.3°C in the twenty-first century, including the 2022 Beijing Games.
Despite these concerns, the study indicates that 10–13 of 21 former Olympic Winter Games sites will remain climatically reliable by the 2050s, with 8–12 remaining so by the 2080s. For the Paralympic Winter Games, scheduled later in March, the numbers are slightly lower.
Looking at 93 potential locations, the study forecasts that by the 2050s, 45-55 sites will produce reliable snow, while 20-28 will be marginally reliable. In a worst-case scenario by the 2080s, only about 35 sites may maintain marginal reliability, dropping to just four for the Paralympics.
The study does not specify locations, but highlights reliable regions, including Alberta in Canada, Colorado, Utah, and New York in the United States, and several countries across Asia and Europe.
While challenges persist, the research provides reassurance that the Winter Games can adapt and continue for decades. For more insights into the study, visit the full publication here.
Original Story at www.thesportsexaminer.com