Risks of climate change for ski tourism

Ski tourism is an important international economic sector that attracts between 300 and 350 million skiers every year and generates billions in revenue.

Due to its strong dependence on specific climatic conditions, ski tourism is considered to be the sector of the tourism industry most directly affected by climate change. A comprehensive analysis of 119 scientific publications from 27 countries has examined the effects of climate change on ski tourism.

The research results show various developments: The reliability of slopes with natural snow will decrease significantly, while the need for artificial snowmaking will increase. Ski seasons will become shorter and more volatile. This is likely to lead to a reduction in the number of active ski resorts and to shifts in competitiveness both between and within regional ski markets. These changes will have a corresponding impact on the employment situation in ski tourism and on property values in the affected regions.

The extent and timing of these developments are largely determined by two factors: the speed of climate change and the adaptation strategies of skiers and tourist destinations.

In view of the increasing requirements of investors and financial supervisory authorities to disclose climate-related risks, there is a growing need to understand the different climate risks at destination and company level. The study identifies key knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to better support ski destinations in adapting to future climate risks.

Findings from this study:

• Warmer temperatures lead to less natural snowfall and faster snowmelt, making slopes without snowmaking unreliable for skiing. This has a direct impact on lower-lying resorts or those with warmer climates.
• As natural snow becomes less reliable, ski resorts are increasingly relying on artificial snowmaking. This requires significant water and energy resources, which increases operating costs and environmental concerns.
• Rising temperatures are shortening the ski season, which starts later and ends earlier. This complicates planning for businesses and can deter tourists looking for guaranteed snow conditions.
• Some ski resorts, especially smaller or peripheral ones, may no longer be economically viable due to shorter seasons and higher operating costs associated with snowmaking.
• Regions with higher altitudes or colder climates may become more attractive as ski resorts, shifting tourist flows and affecting the profitability of warmer, lower-altitude resorts.
• Job losses may occur due to ski resort closures or reduced operations. Vacation property values could fall in areas that are considered unreliable in terms of snow conditions.