Climate change threatens snow reliability at Europe's ski resorts - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

More than half of Europe's ski resorts could face severe difficulties maintaining reliable snow conditions if global temperatures rise by 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The warning comes from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which has highlighted the growing vulnerability of winter tourism to climate change in a joint report with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

Research cited in the report indicates that 53% of 2,234 ski resorts across 28 European countries would face very high risks to natural snow availability under such a warming scenario, assuming no artificial snowmaking. The findings underline the challenges facing an industry whose operations depend on sufficiently cold temperatures and predictable winter conditions. Lower-altitude destinations are particularly exposed, while even established Alpine resorts face increasing uncertainty.

The consequences are already visible in winter sports. According to the WMO, weather conditions led to the cancellation of 25 Ski World Cup races during the 2025–2026 season. At the same time, snow cover duration has declined by an average of five days per decade across nearly all regions examined. For ski resorts, tour operators and accommodation providers, these developments raise questions about the long-term reliability of winter seasons, infrastructure investment and the future positioning of mountain destinations.

Shorter winters increase pressure on ski tourism

The decline in snow cover is particularly significant for destinations at lower elevations, where relatively small increases in temperature can determine whether precipitation falls as snow or rain.

A shorter period of reliable snow cover can affect the entire winter tourism economy. Ski lift operators depend on sufficient operating days to recover infrastructure and maintenance costs, while hotels, restaurants, ski schools and equipment rental businesses rely on predictable visitor demand.

For tour operators, changing snow conditions complicate the planning and marketing of winter holidays. Accommodation contracts, seasonal flight programmes and package holidays are often arranged months before the start of the ski season, making uncertainty about snow availability a commercial concern.

The WMO findings do not suggest that 53% of European resorts would necessarily close under a 2°C warming scenario. Rather, they identify a very high risk to natural snow availability in the absence of artificial snowmaking. The distinction is important because resorts differ considerably in altitude, infrastructure, exposure and their ability to adapt.

Nevertheless, the figures indicate that traditional assumptions about the length and reliability of European ski seasons are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

Switzerland illustrates the scale of change

Switzerland provides particularly striking evidence of the changes affecting Europe's mountain environments.

According to the report, Swiss glaciers have lost nearly 20% of their ice volume since 2021. Although glacier retreat and seasonal snowfall are different processes, both reflect the broader impact of rising temperatures on Alpine landscapes.

At elevations below 800 metres, the number of snowfall days in Switzerland has fallen by approximately half since 1970.

These changes have implications beyond skiing. Mountain destinations depend on snow and ice landscapes for a variety of tourism activities, while glaciers themselves are important natural attractions.

The retreat of glaciers can alter access routes, affect mountain infrastructure and change the conditions under which certain outdoor activities take place. For destinations that have historically marketed themselves around reliable winter scenery, the transformation also presents challenges for their long-term tourism identity.

Higher-altitude resorts may retain more favourable snow conditions than lower-lying destinations, but they are not immune to rising temperatures or increasingly variable weather.

Artificial snowmaking faces growing limitations

Technical snowmaking has become an important adaptation measure for many European ski resorts, allowing operators to supplement natural snowfall and maintain selected slopes during periods of insufficient precipitation.

However, the WMO warns that artificial snowmaking cannot provide an unlimited solution.

Conventional snowmaking requires suitable temperature and humidity conditions. As winters become warmer, the periods during which snow can be produced efficiently may become shorter, particularly at lower elevations.

Snowmaking also requires substantial infrastructure and resources, including water and energy. Expanding these systems can therefore increase operating costs and place additional pressure on local resources.

The economic feasibility of maintaining ski operations will consequently depend not only on the availability of snowmaking equipment but also on changing climatic conditions, energy prices, water availability and the financial resources of individual resorts.

For smaller destinations, these factors may present particular difficulties when major investments are required to maintain existing winter tourism products.

Climate information becomes a planning tool

The WMO and FIS are calling for greater use of meteorological and climate information in the management of winter sports destinations.

Short-term weather forecasts can help operators make decisions about daily activities and slope preparation, while seasonal outlooks provide additional information for operational planning.

Long-term climate projections are particularly relevant to decisions involving expensive infrastructure, including ski lifts, snowmaking systems and other facilities designed to remain in operation for decades.

For tourism authorities and destination management organisations, the findings also reinforce the importance of examining how mountain tourism can develop beyond its traditional dependence on skiing.

Activities such as hiking, cycling, nature tourism and cultural experiences may offer opportunities to diversify visitor demand, although their commercial potential will vary considerably between destinations.

The report's central message is that climate change is becoming an increasingly important factor in the economic planning of European winter tourism.

With natural snow reliability declining across many mountain regions, the ability to combine reliable climate information, realistic investment decisions and diversified tourism products is likely to play a growing role in determining how European ski destinations adapt to future winters.

Image Credit: © FVA Türkei