As February unfolds with unprecedented warmth, Europe’s cherished ski resorts are confronting a stark reality: a profound scarcity of snow amidst what could potentially be the hottest February on record.
From the snow-capped peaks of France, Austria, to the picturesque landscapes of Bosnia, skiers are greeted with a disheartening sight of barren mountains, a far cry from the usual mid-to-late February spectacle synonymous with peak winter sports season.
Impacted European Ski Destinations
In the renowned French alpine retreat of Saint-Colomban-des-Villards, ski enthusiasts find themselves in a predicament as ski lifts remain idle, halted by a remarkable dearth of snow exacerbated by temperatures soaring to 13°C, a sharp departure from the region’s average February temperature of just over 4°C.
Meanwhile, further south, the Artouste ski resort in Pyrenees Atlantiques, renowned for its scenic narrow-gauge tourist train, confronts a similar fate, with its gates “temporarily closed” as snow levels dwindle to unprecedented lows. Reports depict grooming machines parked motionless alongside dormant ski lifts, painting a somber tableau of the resort’s current state.
Austria’s Alpine Dilemma
Across the Austrian alpine landscape, the Tyrolean ski haven of Mutterer Alm grapples with closure, a testament to the region’s struggle against the unrelenting warmth. Renowned for its panoramic vistas of Innsbruck and the Karwendel mountain range, the resort’s indefinite shutdown underscores the profound impact of rising temperatures on Europe’s winter sports destinations.
Bosnia’s Disheartening Reality
In Bosnia, where the fervor of celebrating four decades since Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics should be palpable, the mood is tempered by the cancellation of the Women’s Ski Super G European Cup at Bjelasnica, a testament to the adverse effects of the snow deficit. Skiers navigating through muddy terrain to reach lifts epitomise the resilience of enthusiasts determined to salvage their winter escapades despite the challenging conditions.
The Outlook Amidst Climatic Concerns
As scientists sound the alarm on record-breaking temperatures, attributing the heatwave to a combination of natural phenomena and human-induced climate change, the prognosis for ski resorts remains uncertain. While global warming looms as a long-term threat, the current El Niño phenomenon exacerbates the situation, tilting the scales towards warmer climates across the globe.
Despite the gloomy forecast, skiers hold onto hope, anticipating the potential arrival of El Niña, which could offer respite from the relentless heat and breathe life back into Europe’s cherished ski slopes.