As winter sports enthusiasts across Europe prepare for another season, concerns over the future of snow sports are growing. In Sweden, Thomas Ohlander of Do The North is worrying about the shrinking snow season, with the first date of frozen lakes pushing back each year. A similar trend is seen in France, where ski resorts are closing due to lack of regular snowfall or funds to remain open year-round. The decline in snow sports is a global issue, with predictions that only one past Winter Olympics location will still be able to host the games by the end of the century.
Despite these challenges, experts like German consultant Karl-Christoph Schrahe see hope in innovations such as snow-making machinery that recapture lost heat and create electricity. Some resorts, like the German ski area of Sauerland, are thriving by using artificial snow to attract local skiers and creating rural jobs. Slovenia is investing in both summer and winter activities to ensure the survival of its ski resorts, while concerns over the sustainability of artificial snow production are raised in Italy.
In the face of these changes, Ohlander emphasizes the importance of innovation and exploration in winter sports. He plans to lead a unique expedition to a remote area in Sweden to search for rarely sighted musk oxen, highlighting the essence of skiing as a way to connect with nature. As the industry faces an existential crisis, the future of winter sports remains uncertain, but the focus on sustainability and innovation may hold the key to its survival.
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