Despite snow
Skiing not guaranteed over the holidays
Rising temperatures threaten the snow security of the ski areas. According to a new study, skiing over Christmas can no longer be guaranteed in the coming decades, even with artificial snowmaking.
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Only possible thanks to snowmaking: Adelboden-Lenk is fighting against a lack of snow.
A team of researchers from the University of Basel used the Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis ski area as an example to investigate the impact that climate change will have on the ski areas. Their results were recently published in the International Journal of Biometeorology.
According to the study, artificial snow can guarantee a 100-day ski season, at least in the higher parts of the ski area – over 1800 meters above sea level. But for business during the Christmas holidays, it is likely to become scarce in the coming decades, as it often does not get cold enough beforehand.
Water consumption for artificial snow will increase
“Here, the physics of technical snowmaking sets natural limits,” study author Erika Hiltbrunner was quoted as saying in the statement from the University of Basel. To a certain extent, the situation could possibly be compensated for with new snow cannons, but only partially, the researchers wrote.
According to the study, water consumption for artificial snow in the Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis ski area will increase by around 80 percent by the end of the century. In an average winter towards the end of the century, consumption would therefore amount to around 540 million liters of water. Today it is 300 million liters.
Electricity or slope?
According to the study, the water reserves of the Oberalpsee, which are used for artificial snowmaking, should last until the middle of the century. However, these water reserves are also used to generate electricity. According to the study, there will probably be conflicts between the water requirements for the ski area and those for electricity generation.
It is also clear that the increased snowmaking will drive up the costs and thus the prices for ski holidays. “At some point, people with an average income will simply no longer be able to afford such vacations,” says Hiltbrunner. (SDA)