The CEO of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel, Anton Bodner, breathed a sigh of relief as heavy snowfall graced Kitzbühel, Austria, marking the start of the ski season.
This respite from nature eased the pressure on the operation of 57 lifts around the charming Austrian ski resort town.
These lifts transport approximately 1.5 million winter tourists when snow blankets the slopes, a gift that had been elusive for some time.
However, beneath this promising beginning in Kitzbühel lies the undeniable influence of climate change in the Alps.
Soaring temperatures are triggering the melting of glaciers, resulting in diminished snowfall and introducing unpredictability to the ski tourism industry.
During the renowned Hahnenkamm ski race in January 2023, for instance, skiers descended the legendary and challenging “Streif” ski run on artificial snow, surrounded by brown meadows.
Aware of these climate developments, Anton Bodner anticipates that the snow line, the elevation above which snow persists for most of the year, will retreat by about 200 meters (660 feet) by 2050.
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic due to the potential of artificial snow production, stating confidently that “there will still be skiing in Kitzbühel in decades to come.”
Robert Steiger, a researcher at the University of Innsbruck’s Department of Public Finance, has been studying climate change’s impacts on the ski industry extensively.
He operates under the most pessimistic climate scenario, wherein 80% of ski resorts in the Austrian Alps will still boast sufficient snow coverage in 2050, albeit not entirely natural.
This scenario, however, demands a significant increase in water usage, up to 100%, to support artificial snowmaking.
Steiger acknowledges that while some resorts will endure, others will face challenges within two decades.
Adaptation to climate-related risks becomes imperative for operators.
Each destination experiences unique effects, making it impossible to prescribe universal solutions.
Nonetheless, safeguarding snow-dependent tourism remains a top priority for most destinations.
Winter sports enthusiasts play a pivotal role in the industry, generating substantial revenue compared to other vacationers.
Moreover, as the market narrows, competition intensifies, fostering fierce rivalry among industry players.
In response, some regions are accepting their growing reliance on artificial snow. Ruhpolding in Bavaria, for instance, hosts the Biathlon World Cup every January, acknowledging the possibility of diminishing snowfall.
Their strategy involves leveraging artificial snow for cross-country ski trails, ensuring a consistent experience for tourists.
This approach is expected to persist for at least the next decade.
Innovations also emerge, such as ski trails constructed from plastic mats, potentially transforming cross-country skiing into a year-round activity.
Ski resorts like Kitzbühel are contemplating diversifying their tourism offerings beyond the winter season, exploring options like mountain tours on electric bikes.
In a changing climate, the ski industry grapples with both challenges and opportunities, with hopes pinned on colder temperatures and fresh snowfall to sustain this beloved winter tradition.
