Ski resorts worldwide are now facing a significant threat from the effects of the climate crisis, as warned by the international ski federation. The federation has highlighted the urgent need to address the impact of global warming on winter sports, with 26 World Cup races cancelled last season due to poor weather conditions. This alarming trend has raised concerns about the future of winter sports and prompted the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to take action.
FIS president Johan Eliasch stated, “Climate change poses an existential threat to skiing and snowboarding. The climate crisis transcends beyond FIS and sports; it is a critical moment for humanity. We are committed to exploring every avenue backed by science and objective analysis.” In response to the escalating challenges faced by ski resorts, FIS has partnered with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to seek solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change on winter sports.
The collaboration between FIS and WMO marks the first-of-its-kind partnership between an international sports federation and a weather organisation. Ski resorts are grappling with unpredictable snowfall patterns and warmer winters, leading to a growing reliance on artificial snow to maintain operational slopes. The rising temperatures are pushing snow levels higher, resulting in shorter ski seasons and economic hardships for resorts.
With the looming threat of disrupted vacations and long-term ecological and economic consequences, WMO chief Celeste Saulo emphasised the need for proactive measures to address the challenges faced by mountain ecosystems and economies. Switzerland has already experienced significant changes, with alpine glaciers losing 60% of their volume since 1850. The zero-degree level, crucial for retaining snow, has risen by approximately 250m in the past 50 years, with projections indicating a potential increase of 400-650m by 2060 without intensified climate mitigation efforts.
MeteoSwiss, the Swiss national weather service, reported a 50% decrease in snowfall at altitudes below 800m since 1970, along with a concerning trend of zero-degree temperatures occurring at higher elevations each year. A study conducted by French and Austrian scientists in 2023 revealed that over half of Europe’s ski resorts face a “very high risk” of insufficient snow if global temperatures rise by 2°C.
In response to these pressing concerns, the upcoming global event hosted by FIS aims to bring together key stakeholders such as national ski associations, venue managers, and event organisers to strategize and adapt to the rapidly changing climate conditions. The urgency of the situation calls for concerted efforts from all parties involved to safeguard the future of winter sports in the face of climate change.