Expert raises the alarm: ski areas no longer guaranteed snow - the consequences of climate change are too drastic

Created: 01/16/2023 05:23

By: Felix Herz

The current winter is very disappointing for skiers - there is simply not enough snow.

An expert is now sounding the alarm and calling for a rethink.

Munich – The lack of snow in the Alps is striking this winter season.

The ski resorts fill up with artificial snow where they can, and yet there are hardly any opportunities for skiing.

Where possible, far too many winter sports fans crowd the slopes, as a recent video from Ischgl, Austria, showed.

An expert has now sounded the alarm and is calling for a rethink.

Snow is no longer guaranteed in Europe: There is also a lack of snow and warmth in the Alps

Strasbourg geography professor de Jong sounds the alarm and warns that winter tourism needs to rethink.

"There are no longer any ski areas in Europe that are snow-sure," she told the dpa.

This even applies to the high altitudes of the Alps.

By snow-sure she means that you can always ski between December 1st and the end of March.

Without having to rely on artificial snow or snow transported by truck.

The lack of snow in Bavaria makes it difficult for skiers.

It's too warm - an expert is now sounding the alarm.

© Angelika Warmuth/dpa

Sometimes it is even too warm in Bavaria to produce artificial snow.

Even the World Cup races in Garmisch have been cancelled.

Nevertheless, attempts are being made to artificially extend the winter season - regardless of the consequences of climate change and the resulting framework conditions.

Winter is getting shorter and "holes" - warning about environmental impact

If the current trend continues, the winter will become shorter and "more porous," explained the expert.

She also drew attention to the environmental impact of reservoirs, which are necessary for artificial snowmaking.

Some of the water for this has to be transported from far away, and extremely energy-hungry pumps are then used.

"The reservoirs in the Alps with capacities of up to 400,000 cubic meters are oversized because there is never enough water available locally," said the hydrology (water science) expert to dpa.

Even the groundwater is now being tapped.

winter temperature and snow depth

According to De Jong's calculations, taking Feldberg (Baden-Württemberg) as an example, the temperature has changed significantly in winter.

In 1945 it was still an average of minus 2.7 degrees, in 2021 it will be minus 1 degree.

The figures relate to the period from November to April.

Snow depth has also changed – by as much as 40 percent since the 1990s.

It is only just over 45 centimeters.

Appeal to Bavaria from the Nature Conservation Association – expert calls for long-term rethinking

As early as November, the Bund Naturschutz had demanded that Bavaria not issue any further permits for the use of snow cannons.

In view of the energy crisis, the operators were also appealed to refrain from using snow cannons.

also read

Account cleared: "I thought I'd be hit" - Helmut wasn't any help to the bank

TO READ

Refugee accommodation in Bavaria more full than it has been for a long time - Minister of the Interior worried: "real problem"

TO READ

Graduated from high school at 15, studying math at 16: Alicia von Schenk is one of the youngest professors in Germany

TO READ

Bavarian parking offender triggers lively discussion on Facebook: "Lord, throw your brain out of the sky"

TO READ

Brilliant winter comeback in Bavaria is imminent: "Sometimes up to 30 centimeters of snow"

TO READ

Fancy a voyage of discovery?

My space

Meanwhile, expert De Jong points out that in southern France, for example, a rethink has already begun and in some places a new course has been set.

Example Département Drôme: In order to protect water resources, investments in artificial snow are no longer being made here.

Instead, four-season tourism is promoted.

"Far less investments are needed for this type of tourism," says the expert.

It could be worth it - even if guests spend less money in summer.

You can always read all the news from all over Bavaria with us.

News and stories from Bavaria can now also be found on our brand new Facebook page Merkur Bayern.