Despair in Italy: in this ski area even the snow cannon no longer helps

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The Italian ski resort of Monte Terminillo is usually busy at this time. Countless winter sports enthusiasts ski down the slopes. No wonder: the area offers something for everyone. Regardless of whether you are a beginner, advanced or family. But the chairlifts are currently at a standstill.

“A crucial detail for the ski area is missing: the snow,” facility manager Vincenzo Regnini told Reuters. The whole mountain is green. Monte Terminillo is 2217 meters high.

Not only did it never snow, but the high temperatures even made it impossible to produce artificial snow with cannons, Regnini continued. “To turn water into snow, you need a temperature that is at least close to zero degrees. Last week we had twelve.”

90 percent of all areas need artificial snow

Regnini and his team are convinced: climate change is the cause. The lack of snow has consequences for the region. Bars and shops are closed. Where many visitors usually rent skis and order hot drinks, there is a yawning void. An important financial pillar is in danger of collapsing.

The Italian ski areas in particular suffer from the high temperatures. Those in the Apennines and the Alps are particularly hard hit. About 90 percent of all slopes in Italy depend on artificial snow. By comparison, according to Reuters, Austria uses artificial snow on about 70 percent of all slopes, while Switzerland uses only 50 percent. Although the 2026 Olympic Games will take place in Italy, people are increasingly concerned about the lack of snow.

The Swiss ski areas are also sweating

Not only Italy, but also Switzerland is struggling with rising temperatures. This includes, for example, the Dent-de-Vaulion ski area in the Jura Mountains in the canton of Vaud. There is sometimes a lack of snow for the winter sports holidays, especially in the foothills of the Alps. In contrast, there is sufficient snow in the higher ski areas and there is also fresh snow.

In these areas, valley descents are not or only partially possible, the private weather service Meteo News reported on Wednesday. However, the upcoming foehn wind will worsen this situation even further. After all, up to one meter of new snow will probably fall at higher altitudes on Sunday afternoon.

Both December and January brought above-average rainfall, writes Meteo News. However, the snowfall limit varied greatly. As more and more Swiss ski areas start to sweat under the high temperatures, Switzerland Tourism has now launched a snow ticker. This allows visitors to view the piste conditions live. (mgf/SDA)

Source: Blick