No snow at Alps ski resorts in 20 years, report says

THE death knell has been sounded for many parts of the Alps as rising temperatures spell the end of snow.

According to a report on climate change being handed to European governments soon, snow will disappear from parts of the Alps in just 20 years.

The disturbing research by a leading global economic think-tank warns governments the effect of rising temperatures has seen the Alps experience warming at three times the average world rate. The 130-page report, the first of its kind, by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, assesses the economic impact of global warming on European leisure.

The stark news is set to make skiing and snowboarding, increasingly popular sports among Irish people, a rare and elitist pursuit.

Using scientific assessments of climate change, the OECD research will herald an imminent disaster for the €50 billion Alpine industry that draws up to 70 million tourists annually.

The years 1994, 2000, 2002, and 2003 were the warmest on record in the Alps in the last 500 years — according to reconstructions of the climate in the region. Forecasts for the coming decades show even less snow at low altitudes and receding glaciers.

Currently 90% of the 666 medium to large Alpine ski areas have adequate snow cover for at least 100 days annually. But more climate change could mean a drop in the number of ‘snow-reliable’ ski areas. Just a 1C increase in temperature would reduce those ski areas to 500. A more exceptional 4C change in temperature would see area numbers plummet to only 200.

Germany is thought to be the country most at risk. Austria would also feel the effects more than others.

The OECD report is expected to conclude that within 20 years ski resorts below 1,050 metres — many which are in both countries — will no longer be viable. Authors of the research — Climate Change in the European Alps — say that in 100 years time, only at the highest resorts like Tignes (2,100m) in France will winter sports lovers find suitable snow.

Snowfalls already this season were exceptionally low, with temperatures of 16C being recorded on resorts on the side of Mont Blanc in January. Many Irish families who jetted off to the Alps for skiing holidays over Christmas also saw no white peaks for the first few days.

Despite the climate fears and late start to the season, travel agents though say it’s business as usual for Irish winter holiday-makers.

Thousands of aspiring skiers will continue flying out over the coming weeks, said the Irish Travel Agents Association.

“We haven’t really had much of a problem in that respect. Yet, the snow has been lacking all over Europe,” explained chief executive Simon Nugent.