The ski industry faces terrifying prospects from climate change. Explore the potential consequences in a warming world

The USA’s thriving ski industry, valued at up to $58 billion annually, faces a formidable adversary: climate change. According to the National Ski Areas Association, climate change is unequivocally labeled as “the number one threat to the snowsports industry.”

For decades, snow has been the lifeblood of skiers and the entire ski industry. The Ski Areas Association estimates the industry’s value at up to $58 billion annually, emphasizing the pivotal role snow plays in the sport. However, as the global climate warms, the overall trend for snow is in decline. Between 1972 and 2020, the average portion of North America covered by snow diminished at a rate of about 1,870 square miles per year, an area roughly equivalent to the size of Delaware, according to data from the Rutgers University Global Snow Lab.

This reduction in snow cover is anticipated to persist, posing a significant threat to the ski industry in the coming decades, warn scientists. The ramifications of climate change are increasingly seen as “an existential threat” to the industry, according to Adrienne Saia Isaac, spokesperson for the Ski Areas Association. She underscores the industry’s dependency on weather conditions, emphasizing the vital role of snow. Isaac states, “While we’re used to the inherent uncertainty of our business, climate change exacerbates this challenge in different ways across the 37 states and six regions in which ski areas operate.”

A 2021 research study published in the journal Tourism Management Perspectives supports the assertion that climate change poses “a substantial risk to the profitability and sustainability of ski tourism because of reduced and more variable natural snow, and increased snowmaking requirements and costs.”

Already, various measurements of snow, including snowfall, snow cover, and snowpack, have shown significant declines across the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that total snowfall has decreased in many regions, with 57% of stations showing a decline. Additionally, the U.S. snow cover season became shorter by nearly two weeks, on average, from 1972 to 2013, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Over the period from 1982 to 2021, the snowpack season became shorter at about 86% of measurement sites.

While the Earth’s warming initially led to longer ski seasons due to substantial investments in snowmaking technology, the trend reversed in the 2010s. Daniel Scott, a geography professor at the University of Waterloo, explains that the era of peak ski seasons in the U.S. is over. “This tells us snowmaking can no longer offset warming, and as temperatures continue to rise, we’re now past the era of peak ski seasons in the U.S.”

The ski industry acknowledges the gravity of climate change, with a concerted effort to address its impacts. Elizabeth Burakowski, a climate scientist at the University of New Hampshire, notes, “It’s clear that the resorts, brands, and community are taking climate change seriously.” Initiatives include engaging with policymakers, investing in green technology, and advocating for reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

While the U.S. ski industry remains popular, setting records for skier visits and domestic participants, extreme weather events are already impacting ski areas. The use of snowmaking has provided some resilience to the industry, maintaining a consistent season length. However, experts caution that snowmaking has technical limits, especially as temperatures rise, necessitating greater efficiency in automated snowmaking systems to remain competitive.

Looking ahead to 2100, the future of the U.S. ski industry hinges on climate action. A low-emission future aligned with Paris Climate Agreement targets may see some changes, such as the loss of some ski areas and somewhat shorter seasons. However, skiing would still be available in major U.S. regional markets. Conversely, a high-emission trajectory would render the U.S. ski industry unrecognizable, fundamentally transforming the experience of après-ski in a warmer and less snowy world.

In conclusion, the ski industry confronts a formidable adversary in climate change, with snow as its essential currency. While efforts are underway to address the challenges, the industry faces a pivotal moment that will determine its future trajectory in a changing climate.