According to a French-Austrian climate change study, which simulated several increases in average temperatures, a four-degree increase could mean that 98 percent of European ski resorts would be affected by a lack of snow. An increase of just two degrees Celsius would still affect 53 percent. According to the researchers, Austria is better prepared than some other countries.
Europe is the largest ski tourism market in the world, with about 50 percent of all ski resorts worldwide and over 80 percent of the world’s ski resorts visiting more than one million skiers annually. The ski tourism industry therefore plays an important economic role in many European mountain regions. But the decrease in snow cover due to climate change is affecting ski resorts across the continent, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of days when skiing is not possible. Ski resorts are therefore increasingly using snow cannons. However, its effectiveness varies widely and its use in mountainous areas is controversial.
2234 ski areas in 28 European countries analysed
In their research, Hugues François from the French Institute of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Franz Prettenthaler from Joanneum Research in Graz, in collaboration with the University of Grenoble Alpes and Meteo France, show how severely individual regions are affected by climate change. For this purpose, 2234 ski resorts in 28 European countries were analyzed and the possibilities and effects of artificial snow were also investigated.
They also encountered large regional differences: while skiing in at least a few ski resorts in Austria, Switzerland, France and the Scandinavian countries would still be possible even with four degrees of warming, it seems that for other areas such as the Apennines this is also the case. is. in Italy, the Iberian mountains or in Britain “very much earlier, very badly,” the Graz scientist said in the APA interview.
What are the consequences of snow cannons?
In addition to the natural precipitation, the researchers also calculated the snow-making factor: if half the surface of the ski resorts can be covered with snow, the risk percentage decreases, but with an increase of two degrees Celsius, 27 percent of European ski resorts and four degrees Celsius has a very high risk of snow deficiency at 71 percent.
However, the production of artificial snow also increases the demand for water and electricity and thus generates additional CO2 emissions, which are likely to further drive global warming. In addition, a snowmaking system is no guarantee that it can be used when needed, for example if temperatures are too high, and it is precisely this effect that has been taken into account across the board for the first time. Overall, the contribution to CO2 emissions from snowmaking remains relatively small in winter tourism as a whole. Accommodation and travel emit much more emissions.
The first victims of climate change
The researcher from Graz assumes that making snow will be profitable for a very long time to come, but whether this also makes ecological sense for so long is the question. He also sees the first victims of climate change to date, as many small ski resorts without snowmaking have ceased all operations.
Because snow cannons were used relatively early in Austria, some areas could have been saved, says Prettenthaler. This is prepared for an increase of two degrees Celsius. The authors stress that the snowmaking forecasts are based on simplified assumptions and their results should not be considered definitive. Nevertheless, they offer opportunities to better take into account the impact of climate change on the ski tourism industry.
Source: Krone
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