Unable to Ski in the Alps... "Snow Decreases by 70%"

Average January Temperature Minus 5 Degrees, Now 15 Degrees

Alpine ski resorts are struggling to operate due to warm weather this winter. The concerns may deepen as warnings of continued abnormal high temperatures have been issued.

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 12th (local time), the snow-covered area even at the peaks of the Alps is significantly decreasing. Geographer Magali Regeza-Zitt predicted, "In 7 to 17 years, skiing will no longer be possible at mid-mountain elevations." The European Geosciences Union (EGU) also forecasted that by the end of this century, the snow in the Alps will decrease by 30 to 70%.

Since the end of last year, high temperatures have persisted in the region. Many ski resorts have closed or reduced operations, and winter sports events have been consecutively canceled. The Les Gets ski resort in Haute-Savoie, France, is a representative example. While January usually sees heavy snowfall, this year even the existing snow melted, turning the area into mud. The owner of a nearby ski rental shop said, "The average temperature is usually minus 5 degrees Celsius, but it rose to 15 degrees. There have been colder days even in summer."

On the 31st of last month, ski resort operations were suspended in the Swiss Alps, where the snow melted due to mild weather. Photo by EPA·Yonhap News

Skiing is a key economic driver for the Alps. The industry flourished as resorts were established one after another in the 1960s and 1970s. Especially in France, including seasonal temporary jobs, there are as many as 500,000 jobs related to skiing.

Resorts barely continue their business by covering slopes with artificial snow. However, poor snow quality is causing skiers to avoid these areas. Artificial snow is also criticized for using large amounts of water in snowmaking. Fiona Mill, chairperson of the environmental group Mountain Wilderness France, emphasized, "Instead of solving problems with artificial snow, there is a need to shift the resort operation model from an environmental perspective."