If winter, then skiing. But what if the weather doesn't suit, and natural snow cover is in short supply? The slopes fire up the snowmaking. What's the problem? In that we haven't listened too much to what Pocahontas sang to us.
Climate change and increasingly unpredictable snowfall are forcing ski resorts to adapt - artificial snowmaking is becoming an indispensable part of their operation. But this practice carries serious consequences for local water resources. Water shortages in towns near ski resorts are happening with increasing frequency. It especially happens where snowmaking is heavily relied upon. Sure, this can be attributed to several interrelated factors. But they are undeniably due to the demand for artificial snow production and the associated environmental impact.
we are an interconnected world
Snow is naturally expected to occur on the slopes, so it's easy to beat the snowmaking argument by claiming that, after all, most of the water used for snowmaking will eventually return to the catchment area. Theoretically, because practice shows that snowmaking leads to significant local water shortages, especially during periods of low natural precipitation, and changes runoff patterns [1] [2].
Snowmaking is a resource-intensive process that requires significant amounts of water. It takes about 20 m³ of water to cover an area of 1 acre (100 m²) with a layer of snow about 30 cm thick. Ski resorts are capable of producing 19 m³ of snow per minute. Quite a lot, right?
The downpour is my sister, the stream is my brother
To meet their snowmaking needs, ski resorts often draw water from nearby rivers or reservoirs. This intake leads to reduced river flows and negatively impacts local ecosystems. Studies have shown that snow management practices on the slopes affect the local hydrological cycle. This happens as a result of a reduction in available water for common uses such as households. In addition, this is compounded by water losses that result from evaporation and sublimation during snow production and snow production on excessively warm days[3] [4]. It is indicated that up to 30% of the water used for snowmaking can be lost due to inefficient evaporation and runoff. These losses are exacerbated by the fact that many ski resorts are located in areas where natural water resources are already limited[3].
Studies show that ski resort operations affect the local snowpack and hydrological cycle, mainly through the use of snowmaking and snow grooming technologies[3]. These practices change the way snow melts and water flows.
All of this puts pressure on local water resources. Local residents don't always see this, losing water at the tap. However, if you look more closely, you'll find that compacting snow delays its melting, reducing winter water flows by 10-20%, but increasing them in the spring when the snow melts[3].
nature sets this circle of life in motion
However, there are also places where water simply begins to run out. The increased demand for water during the winter months not only puts pressure on local water resources, but also affects surrounding communities. In regions experiencing drought or low snowfall, ski resorts often face restrictions on water use[5] [2]. For example, the Mt Buller resort in Australia has struggled with inadequate water supply for snowmaking, despite investments in infrastructure such as reservoirs. A combination of insufficient rainfall and regulatory restrictions meant that resorts were unable to produce enough artificial snow, leading to skier dissatisfaction and financial concerns for resort operators[6].
In the French Alps, the production of artificial snow consumes 20 to 25 million cubic meters of water annually, equivalent to the annual water consumption of a city the size of Grenoble. As temperatures rise and natural snowfall becomes more unreliable, the demand for snowmaking water is likely to increase significantly. This situation has raised concerns about potential conflicts over water resources between ski resorts and local communities that rely on the same water sources[7] [8].
The Avoriaz ski resort, located in the Portes du Soleil area, requires about 300,000 cubic meters of water annually for snowmaking. The resort's lower location complicates artificial snowmaking operations, especially as climate change leads to less predictable weather patterns[7] [9].
A similar water problem was recently reported in Bialy Dunajec. Residents admit that fire trucks delivering drinking water are a constant sight for some[10]. The municipality, looking for a solution, is considering building a water treatment plant and upgrading the water and sewage infrastructure. However, the cost of such measures is huge - up to several million zlotys, which is a challenge for local authorities. The reasons are, of course, multifaceted, in addition to snowmaking, one can also point out the presence of old, damaged water supply system or lack of precipitation and... of course, the intensive use of water for artificial snowmaking on the slopes.
not the colors that the wind carries
Experts warn that there is less and less natural snow every year, and rising temperatures further exacerbate the problem. Artificial snowmaking, while helping to extend the ski season, puts pressure on local ecosystems and water resources.
To address these challenges, resorts are exploring a variety of strategies, from developing official water management plans to secure long-term water supplies, to implementing more efficient snowmaking technologies that reduce overall water use [1] [5]. In the face of climate change, it's probably time to ask the question of solutions to reconcile the needs of tourism with environmental protection and quality of life for residents.
Magdalena Milert
[1] All about Artificial Snow - Uncommon Path - An REI Co-op Publication https://www.rei.com/blog/news/artificial-snow-and-climate-change
[2] Ski areas with the most water supply issues? - NELSAP Forum https://www.snowjournal.com/discussion/4199/ski-areas-with-the-most-water-supply-issues
[3] Simulated hydrological effects of grooming and snowmaking in a ski resort on the local water balance
https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/27/4257/2023/
[4] Impact of Construction and Functioning of a Newly Built Ski Slope on the Quality of Nearby Stream Water https://ruj.uj.edu.pl/server/api/core/bitstreams/6ba5901d-5366-481b-ab0e-c46a23b65338/content
[5] Droughts and Its Effects on Ski Resorts - BTL Liners https://www.btlliners.com/droughts-and-its-effects-on-ski-resorts
[6] Where has all of Mt Buller's snowmaking water gone? https://www.snowsbest.com/mt-buller-snowmaking-water/
[7] Snowball effect: Is artificial snow a long-term solution for ski resorts in ... https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/04/03/snowball-effect-is-artificial-snow-a-long-term-solution-for-ski-resorts-in-a-warming-world
[8] How climate change threatens to close ski resorts - BBC https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230124-how-climate-change-threatens-to-close-ski-resorts
[9] A-DROP - Alpine Space Programme https://www.alpine-space.eu/project/a-drop/
[10] TVP Krakow. Biały Dunajec without water. https://krakow.tvp.pl/83652649/bialy-dunajec-bez-wody
