Science
Can Artificial Snow Save Skiing, or Will It Kill the Industry?
As climate change shrinks natural snowfall, ski resorts face a paradox. Artificial snowmaking sustains the industry but carries huge environmental costs.
Key Takeaways
- Major ski resorts now rely on artificial snow for 60-90% of skiable terrain as average snow seasons have shortened by 30 days
- Snowmaking consumes massive amounts of electricity and water while snowline elevations have risen 300 meters since the 1970s
- The ski industry faces an existential dilemma: snowmaking buys time but cannot outpace warming temperatures long-term
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DT Editorial AI··via sciencedaily.com