Skiing Downhill

Global Climate Change Could Spell End of Winter Sports Industry

Bad news for ski bums: As global climate change heats up the planet and pushes snow lines ever higher, many winter resorts in Europe might have to shut down. Less expensive, low-altitude destinations will be particularly hard hit, with some slopes in Italy, Austria, and Germany already suffering from lack of snow. But higher-altitude resorts won't be able to stave off trouble indefinitely either: According to a United Nations study released yesterday, 50* of Switzerland's 230 resorts will not have enough regular snow to sustain skiing within 30 years. That's an economic disaster for resort owners, an environmental disaster as lack of winter snow changes water and weather patterns -- and, of course, a recreational disaster for winter-sports lovers everywhere.