Climate Change: Is Snowmaking The Future Of Ski Resorts Struggling To Keep Business Going?
No amount of hoping is expected to counter a pressing threat to skiing, an industry worth billions of dollars. The science is clear. Global heating of 2C could put 53% of the 28 European resorts examined at very high risk of a scarce amount of snow, a report noted this year.
Furthermore, if the planet hits 4C of heating above pre-industrial levels, 98% of the resorts could be at very high risk of scarce snow cover. But some believe the popular sport can survive if temperatures are kept to the limits set by the Paris deal.
FIS Urged To Do More To Fight Climate Crisis
The International Ski Federation (FIS) used to be at the centre of a climate row. In 2019, its then-President Gian Franco Kasper revealed himself as a climate denier in an interview. He subsequently left and got replaced by Johan Eliasch.
But the developments have still not taken the heat off the federation. 500 professional athletes have published a letter this year calling for greater climate action by FIS. They urged the Federation to open the season later and end it earlier to respect the changing climate.
This was followed in October by a petition highlighting the need for FIS to do more to fight the climate crisis. The campaign wants the federation to publish its own environmental impact with full transparency and advocate for climate action at a governmental level.
Meanwhile, the FIS revealed its commitment to reducing its carbon emissions by 50% by the end of the decade. The highest international governing body for skiing and snowboarding is a signatory to the UN sports for climate action framework (UNFCCC).
Can Snowmaking Replace Real Snow?
Furthermore, the FIS said it is working on a sustainability plan that will see us collecting as much data … as possible to provide the most accurate estimate of our CO2 emissions.” The federation has delayed the start of the season for one week.
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Small amounts of snowmaking is expected to keep some resorts going, especially those at lower altitude. But snowmaking at scale can never take the place of real snow as it is too expensive and uses too much energy and water.
