End of Winter Sports: The Climate Change Crisis Threatening Ski Resorts
End of Winter Sports: The Climate Change Crisis Threatening Ski Resorts Table of Contents 1: Snowfall Decline in Hokkaido: Almost 70% Notice the Change 2: Artificial Snow Machines in Hokkaido: A Necessary Response? 3: Solutions to Overcome the Crisis 1: Snowfall Decline in Hokkaido: Almost 70% Notice the Change Reflecting on the Hokkaido Newspaper series “European Climate Change: The Crisis in Ski Resorts,” it’s evident that climate change has a profound impact on ski resorts worldwide. European resorts, particularly in the French Alps, face closure due to insufficient snowfall, which may threaten around 71% of European resorts by century’s end. Hokkaido isn’t immune to this trend. According to a survey, 64.5% of ski resorts in the region report shortened seasons, and 67.7% have observed decreased snowfall, affecting the days with powder snow. The closure of La Sambuy ski resort in France after over 60 years in operation is a stark example, reflecting the significant impact on employees and related industries. The shift toward alternative summer activities and sustainable models is gaining momentum, but the challenges are daunting, underscoring the urgency to act now. 2: Artificial Snow Machines in Hokkaido: A Necessary Response? The Hokkaido Newspaper series highlights the