Winter Tourism Melts Away: Climate Change Forces Ski Resorts to Adapt

By Ivan PetrenkoDec 6, 2024 06:38 AMNews
Share:
A collection of skis and snowboards on a snowy slope, with people and ski lifts in the background
Ski resorts worldwide face closures due to warming winters. Source: unsplash

In December 2024, popular winter tours to Finnish Lapland were canceled due to the lack of snow. Towns like Rovaniemi remain without their usual snow cover, impacted by unusually mild weather. Tour operators, including TUI, reported the impossibility of hosting planned winter activities such as sledding and reindeer safaris. Travelers were offered options to reschedule trips or receive refunds, while local businesses turned to snow cannons to create a winter atmosphere.

Experts link the snow shortages in Lapland to global climate change. Finnish Lapland recorded its hottest summer on record, and warm winters are becoming more frequent. Meteorologists note that extreme weather patterns, such as heavy snowfalls followed by long snow-free periods, are making winter planning increasingly difficult. This poses challenges for traditional winter tourism, forcing the region to adapt to changing conditions.

The challenges faced in Lapland underscore a worsening issue also affecting alpine destinations like the French mountain retreat of Grand Puy in Seyne-les-Alpes. It was shuttered after 65 years because of global warming, which has resulted in insufficient snowfall and decreasing tourist arrivals. Local inhabitants decided to close the facility, referencing yearly monetary deficits amounting to hundreds of thousands of euros and a significant decline in skier visits. Beginning November 1, the chairlifts ceased functioning, and the township aims to prioritize the creation of environmentally conscious recreational offerings, including cycling paths and angling spots.

The shutdown of these European resorts signifies a worldwide pattern where snow-dependent destinations are progressively affected by global warming. Increasing heat and inadequate snow cover have led to the closure of over 180 French resorts since the 1970s, while synthetic snow, frequently employed as a substitute, poses ecological concerns. In spite of these obstacles, the local population strives to transition to eco-friendly travel options to safeguard the area's prospects.

The reduction of snow-reliant travel in numerous areas emphasizes the urgent necessity for adjustment amid environmental shifts. As customary cold-season pastimes grow increasingly unviable, impacted populations are driven to reevaluate their financial frameworks and adopt enduring substitutes. These initiatives strive not merely to protect regional economies but also to confront the larger international issue of harmonizing leisure industries with ecological accountability in an ever-evolving climate.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Modern hotel room interior with bed, TV, and window view in Riyadh

New Radisson Blu Hotel Enhances Accommodation Options in Riyadh

Jul 30, 2025 23:37 PM
Cozy hotel room with wooden headboard and framed artwork above the bed

NH Collection Palermo Palazzo Sitano Opens in Historic City Center

Jul 30, 2025 21:45 PM

Qatar Airways Boosts Winter Flights to Key Global Destinations

Jul 30, 2025 19:22 PM

ScotRail Boosts Late-Night Services to Ease Travel During Edinburgh Festivals

Jul 30, 2025 07:38 AM
Passenger using smartphone during flight

Two Tickets in One Click: JetBlue and United Simplify Complex Routes

Jul 29, 2025 23:43 PM
Bedroom interior with bedside table and lamp

Florø Prepares to Expand Accommodation Options for Visitors

Jul 29, 2025 21:36 PM
Southwest Airlines aircraft ascending with snowy mountains in the background

Southwest Changes Boarding Rules and Adds New Winter Destinations for 2026

Jul 29, 2025 19:28 PM
Modern hotel room with double bed, armchair, and wall art

Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa to Open in Town Center, Bringing New Stay Option to Anjuna

Jul 29, 2025 17:42 PM
Woman checking travel information on her phone during a flight

Philippine Airlines Introduces Pre-Flight Emails with Essential Travel Details

Jul 29, 2025 02:35 AM

Weekend Engineering Works to Affect Rail Access Between Stalybridge and Dewsbury

Jul 28, 2025 23:25 PM

New Non-Stop Route from Cape Town Opens Up Mauritius for Travelers

Jul 28, 2025 21:32 PM
A woman using her smartphone while sitting on public transport

East Midlands Railway Cuts Fares on Summer Routes Across UK

Jul 28, 2025 20:47 PM
Person using smartphone at airport

New Ryanair System Changes How Travellers Book Through Agencies

Jul 28, 2025 16:26 PM
Modern hotel room with large window and city view

Holiday Inn Express Brings Overnight Option to Changanassery’s Lively Local Streets

Jul 28, 2025 14:33 PM
American Airlines aircraft preparing for departure on the runway

Denver Departure Chaos: American Airlines Flight Evacuated After Smoke Alert

Jul 27, 2025 23:54 PM

Malaysia and Indonesia Open New Direct Air Routes to Simplify Travel to Borneo

Jul 27, 2025 20:31 PM

Rail Disruptions in Liguria: RFI Construction Projects Will Impact August Travel

Jul 26, 2025 23:41 PM
Condor Airbus A330neo with green and white striped livery on airport runway

New daily Condor flights reshape the flight map of Europe

Jul 26, 2025 21:37 PM
Airplane flying overhead against a partly cloudy sky

Gdańsk Opens New Direct Route to Agadir, Simplifying Travel to Morocco’s Coast

Jul 26, 2025 20:26 PM
China Airlines Airbus in flight with clear sky background

New Direct Flights Connect Taipei and Phoenix, Expanding Access to Southwest U.S. Destinations

Jul 26, 2025 19:43 PM
Rail maintenance machinery working on tracks in South Wales

South Wales Rail Upgrades to Impact Travel Access in Early August

Jul 26, 2025 18:39 PM
easyJet aircraft on airport tarmac with boarding stairs

Euro Final in the Sky: easyJet to Announce Scores to Passengers During Flights

Jul 25, 2025 23:27 PM

Expect Delays: Leicester–Peterborough Line Closed 2 and 3 August

Jul 25, 2025 21:34 PM

Steam-Powered Day Trips from London Unlock Access to Britain’s Hidden Landscapes

Jul 25, 2025 20:42 PM
WestJet airplane in flight against a blue sky

New Air Partnership Opens More Direct Travel Routes Between North America and Africa

Jul 25, 2025 15:28 PM
Wizz Air aircraft approaching landing in clear sky

New Wizz Air Flights Open Southern Europe to Gdańsk Travellers

Jul 25, 2025 10:35 AM