Rising temperatures and shrinking snowfall are forcing ski resorts across Europe to rethink their business models. With the Winter Olympics just weeks away in Milan-Cortina, the Dolomites are currently covered in snow, but such conditions are becoming increasingly rare. Many resorts now rely on artificial snow to keep slopes open, a process that is expensive, energy-intensive, and environmentally demanding. The added costs are often passed on to visitors, putting skiing out of reach for many Europeans.
Warming Winters and the Future of the Olympics
Even Italy’s famous Belluno region is feeling the impact of climate change, with less natural snowfall and higher temperatures affecting the entire Alpine arc. The International Olympic Committee has recognized that global warming, driven primarily by coal, oil, and gas consumption, is reshaping winter sports.
Since 1924, 21 locations have hosted the Winter Olympics. A 2021 study suggests that by 2050, only Lake Placid, Lillehammer, Oslo, and Sapporo will still have reliable snow. In a worst-case scenario with global temperatures rising by 4 degrees Celsius, almost all previous Olympic sites would become unsuitable, leaving only Sapporo able to host by 2080. Even if the Paris Agreement target of 2 degrees is met, only nine locations would remain viable by 2050, and just eight by 2080.
The Economic Weight of Ski Tourism
Winter sports are not just about the Olympics. Europe’s ski industry generated around €180 billion in 2022, with the Alps at its heart. The region is home to 80 million people and provides critical water resources and biodiversity. Germany has the most ski resorts in Europe, followed by Italy and France. Studies predict that over half of Europe’s 2,234 ski resorts are at high risk of low snow under a 2-degree warming scenario. In the French Alps, one third of resorts are threatened, while in the Pyrenees, nearly nine out of ten face challenges. A 4-degree warming would make reliable snow almost impossible for nearly all European resorts.
Environmental Pressures and Rising Costs
Artificial snow production strains both water and energy resources. Making 30 centimeters of snow on one hectare of slope requires around one million liters of water, roughly the yearly consumption of a city of 1.5 million people. Snow cannons also consume electricity, producing greenhouse gas emissions that worsen climate change. Supplying all Alpine resorts with artificial snow would require 600 GWh, enough to power 130,000 four-person households for a year.
The financial impact on skiers is significant. Since 2015, the average cost of skiing in Europe has risen 34.8 percent, far above inflation, with the steepest increases in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. Many major resorts have become unaffordable for regular visitors, threatening the future of winter tourism in Europe as the climate continues to warm.
