Alpine Snowfall in Steep Decline, Swiss Study Confirms
For the first time, researchers in Switzerland have put a precise figure on a trend that skiers and resort owners have long feared: snowfall across the country is dramatically decreasing. A comprehensive new study has quantified the snow loss, revealing the stark economic challenges facing the nation's iconic winter sports industry.
The Hard Data: 25 Years of Measurements
The alarming findings are based on data collected from 350 monitoring stations over 25 years, with some historical records stretching all the way back to 1962. The analysis shows that the country has been losing an average of 8 centimetres of snowfall per decade. This decline is not uniform across the landscape, however. While higher altitude mountains have maintained much of their snow depth, the situation on the Swiss central plain is dire, with these lower areas experiencing an almost total loss of their seasonal snow cover.
An Economic Precipice for Lower Resorts
This snow deficit spells potential disaster for many Swiss ski resorts, whose elevations vary enormously from around 1,500 metres up to the highest ski lift at 3,600 metres. Those situated at lower altitudes are being pushed into a costly dependency on snow-making machines to keep their slopes open. This artificial solution comes with a hefty price tag, sometimes accounting for up to 50% of a resort's total energy costs. As the climate crisis intensifies, these financial pressures are set to soar, threatening the viability of many lower-lying operations.
The Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) in Davos is at the forefront of addressing this challenge. The institute is proactively sharing its critical data with all facets of the ski business, including cable car companies. Furthermore, it is incorporating this vital information into tourist-focused apps to help visitors accurately predict local skiing conditions before they travel.
The reliance on snow machines is merely a stopgap, keeping the industry on life support for now. The long-term future of skiing in Switzerland, and across much of Europe, hinges on broader global efforts to combat the climate crisis that is steadily eroding its frozen foundation.
