Winter Games and Climate Challenges
Winter sports have long been a defining feature of international athletic competitions, offering a stage for emerging talents and fostering a global passion for snow and ice disciplines. Events like the FISU World University Games Winter unite athletes from diverse backgrounds, showcasing their skills in skiing, snowboarding, and ice-based sports. However, the increasing impact of climate change is raising concerns about the sustainability of these events in the coming decades.
The Climate Crisis and Its Effect on Winter Sports
Rising global temperatures are causing a noticeable decline in snowfall across major winter sports regions, including the Alps, the Rocky Mountains, and Scandinavia. Reports from environmental organizations indicate that European ski seasons are shortening, and lower-altitude resorts are struggling to maintain natural snow coverage.
The situation is even more critical in the Southern Hemisphere, where locations like New Zealand and South America are experiencing unpredictable snowfall patterns and shorter peak seasons. These disruptions not only impact tourism and competition schedules but also create challenges for athletes who depend on stable winter conditions for training.
The Role of Artificial Snow
To counteract dwindling natural snowfall, artificial snow production has become a widespread solution. During the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games, snowmaking machines played a crucial role in maintaining event conditions at venues like Bardonecchia, Pragelato, and Sestriere. While artificial snow ensures competitions can continue, it comes at a cost—both financially and environmentally. High water and energy demands make snow production an unsustainable long-term fix, especially as climate change continues to escalate.
Recent research suggests that by 2050, only a fraction of past Winter Olympic host cities will have the climatic conditions necessary to host future games. This projection raises pressing questions about how winter sports can adapt to these changing realities.
Athletes Sound the Alarm
The effects of climate change are already being felt by those at the heart of winter sports—athletes. In 2023, Austrian skier Julian Schütter, in partnership with the climate advocacy group Protect Our Winters (POW), called on the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to take meaningful action. Their concerns are supported by a University of Waterloo study, which surveyed nearly 400 elite winter athletes and coaches, revealing that 95% believe climate change is negatively impacting their sport.
With unpredictable snowfall, athletes are forced to travel longer distances or shift to artificial indoor facilities, increasing financial and logistical burdens. This shift could have lasting effects on the accessibility of winter sports, particularly for young athletes and underfunded regions.
Innovation and Adaptation
Despite these challenges, the future of winter sports is not without hope. Advances in technology and sustainability efforts are helping the industry adapt. More efficient snowmaking machines powered by renewable energy sources are being developed to reduce environmental impact. Organizations like FIS and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are implementing eco-friendly strategies, including carbon offset programs and sustainable infrastructure planning.
One promising initiative involves transitioning winter sports facilities to cleaner energy sources, ensuring that necessary adaptations do not further contribute to environmental degradation. Investing in these solutions will be crucial in preserving winter sports for future generations.
A Call to Action
The fate of winter sports depends on collective action from athletes, sporting organizations, and fans. Climate change is not only a threat to competitions but also to the communities and ecosystems that depend on cold-weather tourism. As planning begins for the FISU 2027 Winter Games, organizers face a pivotal question: how can these events continue in a warming world?
If winter sports are to endure, decisive steps must be taken to curb the root causes of climate change while investing in sustainable solutions. The urgency is clear—without meaningful action, the future of snow sports may melt away before our eyes.
The Torino 2025 FISU World University Games took place from January 13-23. Replays are available on fisu.tv.