WMO and FIS warn 53% of European ski resorts face very high snow-shortage risk at 2C

The World Meteorological Organization and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation say 53% of 2,234 ski resorts across 28 European countries could face a very high risk of snow shortages if warming reaches 2C above pre-industrial levels and resorts do not use artificial snowmaking. The joint report warns that the shortages could threaten the economic viability of affected resorts.

The risk is not evenly spread. Snow cover duration has fallen by an average of five days per decade across nearly all regions, with the decline sharpest at lower elevations, according to the report. Anadolu Agency reported that below 800 meters the number of snow days has halved since 1970.

Why snowmaking is not a full fix

Artificial snowmaking has become essential for many resorts, but the report says its effectiveness depends on suitable temperatures and humidity. Reduced water availability and rising energy costs can further complicate operations. That leaves resorts facing higher costs and less reliable snowmaking as temperatures rise.

The report also points to the wider climate signal. Qazinform reported that Switzerland's glaciers recorded their second-largest annual mass loss on record in 2026, surpassed only by 2022, and that they lost more than 5% of their ice volume in 2026. Anadolu Agency reported that Swiss glaciers have lost nearly 20% of their ice volume since 2021.

The effects are already visible on the competition calendar. FIS says weather forced the cancellation of 25 Ski World Cup races in the 2025-2026 season.

Past reliability is not projected risk

The Daily Mail reported that research by ski holiday provider Inghams Ski ranked 133 resorts in the Northern Hemisphere over seven winter seasons on lift and slope availability, snow adequacy, consistency, downside protection and snow depth. Pontedilegno-Tonale in Italy topped the list with 93.1 out of 100, ahead of Obertauern in Austria on 92.9 and Les Arcs in France on 92.2. Kitzsteinhorn in Austria, which skis above 3,000 meters, placed sixth on 89.6. The ranking measures past reliability, not projected risk at 2C, so it answers a different question from the WMO and FIS report.

What resorts are told to do

The report gives guidance on using observations, nowcasting, weather forecasts, seasonal outlooks and climate projections to support decisions on lift operations, snowmaking, staffing, infrastructure and adaptation. The WMO called on resorts to use weather forecasts, seasonal forecasts and long-term climate projections to plan operations and adapt infrastructure.

What it means for skiers and resorts

For resort operators, the report points to decisions on snowmaking investment, water and energy use, and seasonal planning. For skiers, the usable signal is altitude and snowmaking capacity, not a continental average. The 53% figure is a broad share, so it is a warning about spread rather than a booking guide.