What is the future of winter sports in a warming world? - The Climate Question, BBC World Service

Key Concepts

• Climate Change & Winter Sports: The core issue is the impact of rising temperatures and changing weather patterns on the viability of winter sports, particularly snow reliability.
• Snowmaking: Artificial snow production as a mitigation strategy, its benefits, drawbacks (water & energy use), and regional variations in sustainability.
• Glacier Retreat: The significant loss of glacial volume, exemplified by the Vallée Blanche, and its implications for training and the overall skiing experience.
• Olympic & Paralympic Viability: Assessing the future ability of past and potential Olympic/Paralympic host cities to reliably host winter sports events under changing climate conditions.
• Sustainability & Travel: The environmental impact of athlete and spectator travel, and the need for mitigation strategies.
• Snow Farming: A technique of preserving existing snow for later use, primarily as a supplemental measure.
• FIS: Fédération Internationale de Ski – the international governing body for skiing and snowboarding.

The Impact of a Changing Climate on Winter Sports

The discussion centers on the increasingly precarious future of winter sports due to climate change. Athletes are facing increased challenges including less training time, longer travel distances for suitable conditions, and heightened risks, contributing to a rise in fatalities. The fundamental problem is the diminishing reliability of natural snow, a critical component for the Winter Olympics and recreational skiing alike.

Chemmy Alcott’s Perspective: A First-Hand Account

Former Olympian Chemmy Alcott provides a personal and compelling account of the changes she’s witnessed. Initially focused solely on competition, she only became acutely aware of the problem after revisiting the Vallée Blanche in France 25 years after her first experience. She observed a loss of over 100 meters of glacial volume – a stark visual representation of climate change.

Alcott expresses concern for the next generation, particularly her children who aspire to be ski racers. She questions whether the conditions necessary to support their dreams will still exist in 15 years. She notes a shift in snow quality, with more reliance on artificial snow, which, while creating consistent conditions, introduces new dangers due to extremely sharp ski edges requiring specialized protective gear ("chain mail").

Notable Quote: “Once I saw that [glacial retreat], I couldn't unsee it. And this is almost 10 years ago now, and I feel like now I have front row seat tickets to the effects of global warming and climate change.” – Chemmy Alcott

Alcott also highlights the increasing number of race cancellations (21 World Cup races cancelled in the 23-24 season) as a catalyst for increased discussion and action within the sport, including the appointment of a head of sustainability by FIS. She points to the closure of resorts (186 in France) and increased congestion at remaining high-altitude locations, leading to more injuries.

Scientific Analysis: Professor Daniel Scott’s Research

Professor Daniel Scott of the University of Waterloo presents data-driven insights into the future viability of winter sports locations. His research indicates that of the 21 past Winter Olympic hosts, only 12-14 will be climate reliable by mid-century, depending on emission scenarios. Expanding the analysis to 93 potential host locations, the number drops to 45-55.

Crucially, the situation is even more dire for the Paralympics, with only 17-31 locations remaining climate reliable. Scott proposes shifting the Olympics forward by three weeks (to mid-January to early February) to improve conditions for the subsequent Paralympic games. This is based on the fact that February is climatically the best month for winter sports in the Northern Hemisphere.

Data & Statistics:

• Past Olympic Hosts Climate Reliable by Mid-Century: 12-14 (out of 21)
• Potential Olympic Hosts Climate Reliable by Mid-Century: 45-55 (out of 93)
• Paralympic Hosts Climate Reliable by Mid-Century: 17-31 (out of 93)
• Australian Ski Industry Vulnerability: Considered one of the most vulnerable due to the proximity and similar elevation of its ski areas.

Regional Variations & Mitigation Strategies

Scott emphasizes that the impact of climate change is not uniform. Lower elevation mountain areas are warming at double the global rate. Latitude and proximity to the coast also play a role. He notes that while snowmaking can be a solution, its sustainability depends on water and energy sources. Using purpose-built reservoirs for water is more sustainable than relying on groundwater. The carbon footprint of snowmaking varies significantly depending on the energy grid (nuclear vs. coal).

“Snow farming” – collecting and preserving existing snow under tarps – is presented as a supplemental technique, but not a comprehensive solution. Scott highlights the importance of climate mitigation efforts, including reducing emissions from travel and requiring host cities to achieve net-zero emissions.

The Future of Skiing & the Olympic Games

The overall outlook is one of adaptation and contraction. The future of winter sports will likely involve:

• Fewer Resorts: A reduction in the number of viable ski resorts, particularly at lower elevations.
• Higher Costs: Increased costs due to the need for snowmaking and travel to more reliable locations.
• Shift to High Altitude: A concentration of skiing at higher altitude resorts.
• Potential for New Locations: The emergence of previously overlooked locations (e.g., parts of Turkey, Poland) as potential ski destinations.
• Adapting the Olympic Programme: Possible merging of the Olympics and Paralympics to address logistical challenges and climate risks.

Conclusion

The discussion paints a sobering picture of the future of winter sports. Climate change is not a distant threat, but a present reality impacting athletes, resorts, and the very viability of the Winter Olympics. While mitigation strategies like snowmaking and shifting event timing can offer temporary solutions, the long-term future depends on significant reductions in global emissions and a willingness to adapt to a changing landscape. The personal anecdotes from Chemmy Alcott combined with the scientific data from Professor Scott underscore the urgency of the situation and the need for proactive measures to preserve this beloved sport for future generations.