Ski resorts seek new ways forward: From snow storage to year-round tourism

The French ski resort Alpe du Grand Serre is closing permanently this autumn due to the effects of climate change. Experts warn it won't be the last resort forced to close. However, some ski areas are finding innovative solutions to survive. Finland is leading the way with snow farming, storing 200,000 cubic meters of snow with only 13% melting loss. Additionally, modern snow cannons use technology that consumes up to 80% less energy than older models. To become less dependent on winter sports seasons, many resorts are transforming into year-round destinations offering activities like mountain biking and climbing. The winter sports industry is evolving to survive.

Finland stores snow for the next season

In Finnish Levi, the ski industry demonstrates how to innovate in times of climate change. The resort stores 200,000 cubic meters of snow in nine strategically placed storage areas. This is enough to cover 10 Olympic size slalom runs with a meter of snow. Using advanced insulation techniques, melting loss is limited to just 13%. This 'snow farming' technique allows the resort to open the ski season in October and guarantees snow for World Cup races in November. "Snow is our gold," commercial director Marko Mustonen tells CNN, "and we preserve this gold by storing it."

This approach is being followed in other high-altitude resorts. Swiss Davos stores 20,000 cubic meters of snow, while Kitzbühel preserves even 30,000 cubic meters for an early season opening. This innovation in snow management makes resorts less dependent on weather whims. The method's success is evident as professional cross-country skiers from twelve different countries come to Davos for early training. This shows that innovative solutions can not only ensure ski resorts' survival but also create new opportunities.

Efficient artificial snow production: The future of winter sports

Technological advances in artificial snow production offer hope for the future. Modern snow cannons use up to 80% less energy than their predecessors. A notable innovation is the NESSy ZeroE, a snow cannon that operates entirely without electrical energy or compressed air. This system, already operational in Swiss Melchsee-Frutt, uses gravity and water from higher reservoirs. This means a drastic reduction in energy costs for resorts. The efficiency of modern snow cannons is impressive: while old models consumed 800 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air, new models need only 10 CFM under ideal conditions. Bill Cairns, director of American Bromley Mountain Resort, confirms: "I used to spend about $800,000; now I can produce more snow for about half the price." This technological progress is crucial, as approximately 95% of all ski areas worldwide currently depend on artificial snow to remain operational.

Multi-resort passes: Financial stability for ski areas

The ski industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation in its business model. Large resort companies like Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company are leading this change with multi-resort passes. Vail Resorts, with 37 resorts in 15 American states and three countries, introduced the Epic Pass in 2008, providing access to more than 60 resorts worldwide. This subscription model ensures predictable income regardless of weather conditions. Vail Resorts had already secured 2.3 million 'subscribers' before last season began. This new model lowers the threshold for skiers to visit multiple resorts while protecting resorts from weather-related risks. Alterra Mountain Company followed in 2018 with the Ikon Pass. This shift to subscriptions has significantly reduced season pass costs, giving skiers access to multiple resorts for a third to half of former prices. While this model provides financial stability, it has consequences: single-day ticket prices have risen to as much as $299 during peak periods.

From winter to year-round: The evolution of ski Resorts

Ski areas are increasingly transforming into year-round destinations to become less dependent on winter income. This isn't a luxury but a necessity: studies predict that by 2050, the ski season in the United States could be 14 to 62 days shorter. Snow cover in the western US has already decreased by 23% since 1955. Resorts are responding by investing in summer activities. Powdr, a major industry player, is building indoor centers and terrain parks at their resorts, including a new 66,000-square-foot Woodward facility in Park City, Utah. These facilities offer year-round sports opportunities and attract new target groups. The municipality of Alpe du Grand Serre had invested 3 million euros to transform the resort into a year-round destination but unfortunately had to halt this project. This underscores the importance of a well-thought-out strategy in this transformation. Successful resorts combine traditional winter sports with new activities such as mountain biking, climbing, and indoor sports facilities.

Sustainability in the ski industry:

The Path to Carbon Neutrality The ski industry recognizes that sustainability is crucial for its survival. French ski areas adopted sixteen eco-commitments in 2020, including the goal of carbon neutrality by 2037. Vail Resorts has a similar initiative for 2030. This transition is complex: the production of artificial snow in Canada adds more than 130,000 tons of CO2 to the atmosphere annually. Modern solutions are therefore essential. Dr. Diego Clara from Dolomiti Superski emphasizes that new snow cannons use less than half the water and energy compared to older models. Since 2020, Levi in Finland has been using exclusively renewable electricity and is switching to biofuels for snow machines. These measures are not only environmentally conscious but also economically necessary. Charlie Cotton from Ecollective emphasizes that the sector must focus on sustainable transport to ski areas in the next five years. This includes promoting train travel and electric transport, as flying accounts for approximately 80% of a ski holiday's CO2 footprint.