This is the threat to the entire skiing sport

Shrinking glaciers, bare mountains and competitions being washed out. Ski sports are facing a dark future due to climate change, warns the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). You in Sweden may not notice it as much as in the Alps yet. But it's coming, says Daniel Kull at WMO.

» Published: October 03 2024

This is the threat to the entire skiing sport
Photo: Laurent Cipriani/AP/TT

Share this article

Last season, 26 out of 616 FIS World Cup competitions were cancelled due to weather-related reasons. If human-induced climate warming continues, it may become significantly more frequent.

"The climate crisis affects much more than FIS - or sports, for that matter," says FIS President Johan Eliasch in a press release.

"But it is clear that climate change poses an existential threat to skiing and snowboarding."

Improving Snow Management

FIS and the UN's meteorological organization WMO are therefore launching a five-year collaboration. The goal is to put climate change in the spotlight. They are kicking off with a seminar on November 7 with all 137 national ski associations. There, they will, among other things, show how advanced forecasting tools can improve snow management around ski resorts.

Already, the Alps' glaciers have lost 60 percent of their volume compared to 1850, and the number of days with snowfall at altitudes below 800 meters has halved since 1970. Global warming has reached 1.3 degrees, and with a rise to 2 degrees, half of the world's 2,234 ski resorts risk facing snow shortages, according to a study from last year.

"Significant Impact"

Daniel Kull, who is WMO's responsible for the partnership, tells TT that WMO sees the collaboration as a way to get the message about climate change's impact to a broader audience. A goal is for the audience to understand that when competitions are cancelled, it's not one-off events, but an increasing trend.

Ski tourism may disappear, but even more importantly, there are communities in the mountains whose infrastructure is undermined when permafrost melts. The water supply for millions, if not billions, is affected when glaciers disappear and snow doesn't fall, he says.

The competitions take place on different continents and require air travel, a major emission source.

I know that FIS is looking into it. But everyone should clearly feel a personal responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint, says Kull.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia
1 MIN READ

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final
1 MIN READ

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk
1 MIN READ

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1
1 MIN READ

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer
3 MIN READ

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final
1 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final

Football Manager Highlights Financial Boost from World Championship Qualification
1 MIN READ

Football Manager Highlights Financial Boost from World Championship Qualification

Sweden U21 Triumphs 3-0 Over Armenia in Euro 2027 Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Sweden U21 Triumphs 3-0 Over Armenia in Euro 2027 Qualifier

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Stunning 62 at The K Club
1 MIN READ

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Stunning 62 at The K Club

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery
1 MIN READ

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football
1 MIN READ

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari
2 MIN READ

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain
2 MIN READ

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain

Elanga Comments on Isak's Liverpool Move: "It's His Choice"
2 MIN READ

Elanga Comments on Isak's Liverpool Move: "It's His Choice"

Malmö FF Nears Unexpected SM Gold in Women's Top Division
3 MIN READ

Malmö FF Nears Unexpected SM Gold in Women's Top Division

Amo HK Urges Uppvidinge for Arena Renovation to Stay in Elite League
1 MIN READ

Amo HK Urges Uppvidinge for Arena Renovation to Stay in Elite League

Skellefteå Faces Goalkeeper Crisis as Linus Söderström Out Until Year-End
2 MIN READ

Skellefteå Faces Goalkeeper Crisis as Linus Söderström Out Until Year-End

Man Sentenced to Prison for Pushing Person onto Stockholm Subway Track
1 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to Prison for Pushing Person onto Stockholm Subway Track