The revenue generated by ski resorts reached an estimated record of 5 billion dollars in 2022 and is expected to reach 15.0 billion by 2032, an annual growth rate of 8% [1].

However, as evidenced by recent winter seasons of low and rare snowfall, global warming directly threatens the mountain environment and the future of skiing. In recent decades, rising global temperatures have led to an 86% decrease in snowpacks in April in the United States alone between 1955 and 2022 [1]. Furthermore, it is predicted that 53% of European ski areas will fall into the ‘very high risk’ category in terms of natural snow cover if the 2°C increase in global average temperatures, the upper limit set by the Paris Agreement, is reached [1].

To try and address these serious issues, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) published a practical guide in December 2024 to help ski resorts around the world meet the challenges of climate change. Since they operate in natural environments that are extremely sensitive to rising temperatures it offers them a unique opportunity to be leaders in the ecological transition [2].

The Folgaria ski resort for example, one of the largest in Trentino with 70 km of slopes and 26 lifts, has over the years developed three artificial snowmaking reservoirs, necessary to cope with a prolonged absence of natural snow. The area well represents the current ambivalence of Alpine skiing: on the one hand it remains central to the winter tourism economy, on the other hand, it shows a strong dependence on energy-intensive and water-consuming technologies. The provincial strategy for sustainable development of Trentino (SproSS) [3], however, makes explicit reference to the urgency of rationalising water consumption and favouring mountain tourism models capable of coexisting with the growing scarcity of resources, favouring the multifunctionality of the territory and greater summer use.

Around the world, scientists and stakeholders are already addressing these challenges by using and implementing cutting-edge technologies, collaborating with experts from various fields, and taking a scientific approach to increasing resilience soon. The FIS guide lays the foundation for future action that could minimise the carbon footprint of ski infrastructure while supporting biodiversity and wildlife conservation. The fourteen proposed initiatives are briefly described below [1]:

1. Reducing the energy consumption of ski lift systems: It is estimated that the operation of a ski lift system consumes the same amount of energy that powers 3.8 households per year. Some options to reduce this impact include the installation of solar panels (CO2 savings of up to 470 million tonnes per year), and optimising the speed of ski lifts (additional energy savings of 20% per year).
2. Adoption of renewable energies: Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energies is key to reducing carbon emissions. The savings achieved are substantial, as demonstrated by the Snow Space in Salzburg (Austria), which from the 2019/2020 season uses 100% green electricity, and has already eliminated 9,800 tonnes of CO2.
3. Set a net-zero target by 2050: Quantify the carbon footprint to identify emissions hotspots. Furthermore, to reach net zero, one must offset non-zero emissions, i.e. remove from the atmosphere an amount of CO2 equivalent to that released by the same entity. Ski resorts will be able to invest in diversified offsetting projects, such as tree-planting campaigns.
4. Adopt an effective slope management plan: one example is slope mapping, i.e. the scientific study of areas with documented high biodiversity presence to ensure that these areas are marked and protected. In addition, habitats already damaged by ski operations must be identified to implement an effective restoration plan. 
5. Conservation of natural habitats: special attention must be paid to endangered animal species such as the capercaillie, black grouse, common toad, tree frog and Alpine newt, as well as rare plant species such as orchids and gentians.
6. Encourage sustainable travel methods: a skier travelling by train could take a ski holiday every winter for the next four years to equal the carbon footprint of another skier flying just once. Currently, travel alone accounts for 57% of a resort’s total emissions.
7. Introducing ‘snow farming’ practices: snow is collected from the slopes and stored in specialised warehouses or depots through thermal insulation, often with materials such as sawdust or wood shavings, preserving it during the warmer months. Snow farming thus reduces the demand for artificial snow and provides a solution for the shortage of natural snow, eliminating dependence on weather conditions. 
8. Implementing new technologies for less water consumption: EU-funded projects are already working on the creation of a solar-powered snow cannon, but a prototype to be put on the market has not yet been developed. In the meantime, ski resorts will have to minimise the amount of artificial snowmaking, using weather forecasting and monitoring systems to optimise the timing and amount of snowmaking. 
9. Adopt an effective waste management plan: Achieving net-zero for waste involves minimising, reusing and recovering waste materials, turning them into valuable resources and ensuring that no solid waste is sent to landfill during the year. It must be ensured that partners take appropriate measures to reduce the environmental impact of ski and snowboard equipment.
10. Collaborate with key local stakeholders: assist skiers in preserving the mountain environment, while recognising that they are an integral part of the landscape together with farmers.
11. More sustainable catering: focus efforts on reducing food waste and emissions, as well as conserving water resources.
12. More sustainable accommodation: Improving the sustainability of accommodation requires the implementation of a comprehensive strategy that addresses architecture, energy efficiency, water conservation and waste management.
13. Reducing the impact of large events: Events such as World Cup ski stages can bring significant economic benefits to the local community, but on the other hand, it is essential to recognise that such events can also have negative effects on the natural environment.
14. Create your own roadmap: a roadmap detailing measures and activities to support sustainability, from short to long term.

Figure 1: Swiss skier at the World Cup Lauberhorn, Wengen, Switzerland. Image by Andreas from Pixabay.