The production of artificial snow and its impact on climate change

Summary of this study

The study examines whether artificial snowmaking in ski tourism is a sensible climate adaptation or a maladaptation. For over 20 years, snowmaking has been a widespread measure to extend the season and avoid losses due to a lack of natural snow. However, it is increasingly criticized, particularly due to its high energy and water consumption.

The authors use an established set of criteria to assess when snowmaking is considered a mismatch. The decisive factors are

• Greenhouse gas emissions: Dependent on the energy mix (fossil vs. renewable).
• Water consumption and environmental costs: Particularly problematic in water-scarce regions.
• Social impact: Higher costs could make skiing even more exclusive.
• Dependency: Heavy investment can hinder alternative adaptation strategies.
• Path dependency: Infrastructure binds destinations to skiing in the long term.

Conclusion: Whether artificial snowmaking is sustainable therefore depends heavily on the regional context. In areas with renewable energy and sufficient water, it can be an effective adaptation. In regions with water scarcity and a high carbon footprint, however, it exacerbates climate and environmental problems and can be described as a maladaptation. A differentiated view and open discussion on site is important. The authors thus emphasize that there is no one-size-fits-all answer - the key lies in a site-specific, transparent assessment and the most efficient technology possible.

Findings from this study

• Ski resorts with access to renewable energy and low water stress conditions can ensure their competitiveness through efficient snowmaking and at the same time significantly reduce their environmental impact.
• Investments in modern snow cannons and precise snow depth measurements reduce energy and water consumption and thus extend the winter season.
• Regional ski resorts with good transport links and a focus on local guests reduce climate-damaging emissions from travel to and from the resort and promote nature-based winter sports.
• Ski resorts that combine artificial reservoirs with multiple benefits such as flood protection or summer leisure activities increase the acceptance of snowmaking among the population.
• Rising snowmaking costs threaten the social accessibility of skiing, which is why support programs and targeted pricing strategies are needed to enable low-income families to access winter sports.

Publication: Daniel Scott, Natalie Knowles and Robert Steiger (2024)