The Last Resort

If you’ve ever had an opportunity to ski, you’ll agree there is very little that rivals the pure thrill of skiing down an exquisite mountain, surrounded by powder and pines on a crisp day in spring. As the incandescent sun departs for another day, your body feels tired, but your mind refreshed, and as your resort draws closer on the horizon, you can feel the glowing warmth of the fire and the hospitality.

With considerable media coverage in the last five years on climate change and how its devastating relationship with the ski season continues, the lower level ski resorts are the ones who are not only battling with the environment, but staying in business.

Unseasonably warm conditions across Europe have been addressed with a blend of disbelief and despair by those who depend so heavily on cold winters, and Ski resorts have consequently become increasingly concerned about the receding snow conditions that threaten the future of the industry. It is impossible to hide from the rising global temperatures, and during the 2006/07 season, it was widely reported as one of the hottest autumns on record, with very little snowfall.

That said, the 2007/08 has so far witnessed a large, unexpected amount of snowfall, particularly during October and November, and predicted to continue throughout the 08/09 season. This has prompted a host of Europe’s biggest resorts to open ahead of schedule. To contradict the previous season’s weather forecast, however, November produced the heaviest snowfall in a decade, reinforcing the unpredictability of climate change. Ski slopes in the Alpine have experienced up to 60cm of snow, while the Pyrenees received even more. This promising start to the ski season is exactly what lower level resorts need, and should the ubiquitous climate change continue in this approach, then resorts can adapt to the cycle, not lose to it.

“With snowfall in Europe changing dramatically each year, skiers should take advantage of the fantastic ski conditions this season (reported to be the best in over two decades) while they have the chance,” says a Neilson spokesperson, who are an established online tour operator who work with over 10 skiing destinations around the world.

Many regions and resorts, particularly resorts at the 1500-1800 meter level, are being forced to introduce and develop strategies to attract tourists, despite the positive start to the season. There maybe a time when skiing and snowboarding exclusively isn’t possible, so these resorts may have to diversify. Since 2005, 191 French ski resorts have been equipped with snow-making machinery, covering an area of 4300 hectares which equates to about 18% of the total skiing. The French Alps have sustained some of the worst winters in the last three years, however, for many high level resorts the picture is currently very different, with up to half a meter of snow falling at altitudes of over 1800m since November.

Elsewhere in Europe, conditions have been exceptionally good in Scandinavian countries, contrary to last season’s outcome. Norway’s Hemsedal, for example, has been coated with over 65cm of snow on its slopes, while Bjorli registered 100cm. The country’s ski areas have received up to 38cm of new snow in the last week of November alone; making it possible for many resorts to open their slopes and lifts early reading for fervent skiers.

In Austria, the snowline is anticipated to rise between 200 and 300 metres in the next 30-50 years, and many mountain villages in the central and eastern regions could lose their winter business if they don’t prepare now. Moving South to Italy, resorts that are now higher than 1500 metres can expect sufficient quantities of snowfall. Only half of Italy’s winter sport villages are below the 1300 meter level, but due to major lack of snow cover, are being forced to migrate higher, or invest in snow cannons to enhance the landscape. This investment may be significant now, but in the long term it is a small price to pay for survival.

But, let’s stick to the positive news. It is estimated that over 3 million Britons will leave the UK this year to grace the multitude of European slopes. The tour operators can also join in with the commercial celebrations by sharing the £586 million pot that is generated in revenue. Operators are, however, acutely aware that the skiing terrain was very different 10 or 15 years ago when snow was as guaranteed as night time, and are now working with the resorts to sustain their business and industry.

“We recognise that there are certain impacts associated with ski activities, both negative and positive, over which our partners and we have considerable control,” continue Neilson. “We send thousands of skiers on holiday each winter, so even the smallest adjustment to the way we run our holidays will have a considerable effect. So the best course of action open to us is to identify those impacts, and continue to seek solutions to the challenges facing us in this arena. We have already started along this road with a range of responsible travel initiatives.”

While the outlook for European ski resorts is looking fairly bright, the rugged relationship between climate and environment will continue to achieve seasonal supremacy. Ski resorts and operators have to work together in order to make it through each season. Let’s hope this season will be a long and prosperous one.