The future of winter sports is at stake, and it's a chilling reality. As Belgian biathlete Maya Cloetens trains for the upcoming Olympic Games, she can't help but ponder the impact of climate change on her beloved sport.
In the mountains above Grenoble, France, where Cloetens fell in love with the combination of cross-country skiing and shooting, the signs of a changing climate are evident. Grenoble, once a proud host of the 1968 Winter Olympics, now experiences shorter and milder winters, with less consistent snowfall.
"I grew up there, and the difference in snow is striking," Cloetens shares. "In just 15 years, it's transformed completely."
With global warming accelerating, the list of potential Winter Games hosts is shrinking rapidly. Researchers warn that many locations may no longer be suitable by the 2050s.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is aware of this crisis and is considering innovative solutions. Karl Stoss, chair of the Future Host Commission, suggests rotating the games among a select few reliable locations and even moving the dates earlier in the season.
But here's where it gets controversial: out of 93 mountain sites with the necessary infrastructure, only 52 are projected to have sufficient snow and cold temperatures by the 2050s. And that number could drop to 30 by the 2080s, depending on our efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
The situation is dire, especially for the Paralympic Winter Games, which typically follow the Olympics. However, researchers suggest starting both sets of games earlier, which could almost double the number of reliable locations.
And this is the part most people miss: even with advanced snowmaking technology, there may be almost no locations that can reliably host snow sports without it by mid-century.
Grenoble isn't alone in facing this climate challenge. Chamonix, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Sochi are also unlikely to host future Winter Olympics. Past venues like Vancouver, Palisades Tahoe, Sarajevo, and Oslo are considered "climatically risky."
"Climate change will undoubtedly alter the geography of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics," says University of Waterloo professor Daniel Scott. "The only question is, how much?"
For now, snowmaking is a crucial stopgap measure. It was first used at the Winter Games in 1980 and was almost entirely relied upon in Beijing in 2022.
But snowmaking has its limits. It requires vast amounts of energy and water, which can exacerbate climate change and water scarcity issues.
Tom Johnston, a Wyoming rancher and ski racing course expert, emphasizes the importance of cold temperatures for snowmaking. "I need Mother Nature's colder temps," he says.
Europe, the fastest-warming continent, is facing significant challenges. Seasonal snowfall in the Alpine region has decreased considerably, with the sharpest declines in the last 40 years.
Italian climatologist Luca Mercalli recalls seeing the Alps covered in snow from late October to June 50 years ago. Now, he often sees grey.
The IOC is taking steps to address these concerns. It's requiring hosts to minimize water and electricity use and avoid unnecessary construction. The 2030 Winter Olympics will be held in the French Alps, followed by Salt Lake City in 2034, and the IOC is in exclusive talks with Switzerland for 2038.
"We must choose countries with good conditions and high climate protection standards," Stoss says.
Diana Bianchedi, the organizing committee's chief strategy officer, emphasizes the need for a sustainable future, not just for the Olympic movement but for broader social transformation.
"This is the point where we have to change," she concludes.
So, what do you think? Is the future of winter sports at risk? And if so, what can we do to protect it? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
