Ski Resorts Struggle as Snow Declines — Italy Airlifts Snow, U.S. Resort Faces Bankruptcy
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Climate change is hitting ski businesses worldwide. In northern Italy near Trento, the Bondoné (Bondone) ski area (2180m) used helicopters to spread snow after about 40 shuttle trips because warm temperatures and strong winds prevented natural snowfall. Operators said the 6,000-euro helicopter expense (about 10 million won) was a temporary measure that avoids much larger economic losses (estimated 500,000 euros). In the U.S., Wisconsin’s Whitecap Mountain — once receiving up to 7 m of snow in 2022/23 — saw snowfall fall to 70 cm the next season, cutting revenue by 86% and leaving the resort unable to repay loans; it later declared bankruptcy. A Climate Central report found that from 1970–2023, snow amounts decreased at 64% of 2,041 U.S. ski locations. (Bondone: a mountain near Trento used for skiing.)
