Impacts of Climate Change on Winter Tourism in the Swiss Alps

TLDR

The study investigates how three snow‑deficient winters in the late 1980s and a projected 2°C warming affect Swiss ski field snow reliability and proposes adaptation strategies for the winter tourism industry. The authors assess snow reliability of all Swiss ski fields under current conditions and a 2°C warming scenario, and outline potential industry adaptation strategies. Ski areas in lower zones suffered severe losses, while higher‑altitude glacier resorts increased transport revenue; currently 85 % of Swiss ski areas are snow‑reliable, falling to 63 % under 2°C warming, threatening balanced regional economic growth.

Abstract

This paper examines the impacts of three consecutive snow-deficient winters at the end of the 1980s on the winter tourism industry in Switzerland. It is shown that ski areas in lower areas suffered severe consequences. Ski areas at higher altitudes (in particular glacier ski resorts) on the other hand increased their transport figures and therefore profited from the lack of snow in lower areas. The snow-reliability of all Swiss ski fields under current climate conditions and under a 2"C warming are investigated. Under current climate conditions 85% of all Swiss ski areas are snow-reliable. This number would drop to 63% if temperatures were to rise by 2"C. This is likely to threaten the regionally balanced economic growth which winter tourism has provided. Possible strategies for the winter tourism industry to adopt if climate change occurs are presented.