Davos, Switzerland, November 2025
The Sustainable Mountain Alliance (SMA) and the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) have released their first InfoBrief that has been developed in partnership between the two organisations. Based in Davos, Switzerland, SLF is a world leader in snow research and natural hazards, investigating the effects of climate change on snow, ice, and permafrost, and their implications for winter tourism, drinking water, and hydropower systems.
The Institute will provide scientific expertise to the SMA on the interplay between climate change, snow science, technical snow making, equipment and athletes building on its numerous projects for the winter sports industry such as Swiss Olympic.
To mark the launch of the partnership, the first in a series of SMA InfoBriefs has been published. The InfoBrief, titled “Snow and the Implications of Climate Change,” highlights the growing challenges facing winter tourism. It reports that by the year 2050, only regions above 1,900 meters will be snow reliable. Without significant reductions in CO2 emissions, the snow-sure altitude could rise to approximately 2,200 meters. This shrinking of snow-covered areas poses a direct threat to ski resorts, especially at mid-altitudes, where snow conditions are expected to deteriorate the most.
The InfoBrief also includes several recommendations for resorts to adapt to these changes:
- Develop Climate Transition Plans: Mid-altitude ski resorts should collaborate with local communities, governments, and stakeholders to design strategies that ensure climate adaptation, reduce risks, and transition to sustainable economies.
- Sustainable Snow Management Practices: Resorts are urged to adopt best practices that:
- Minimize the environmental impacts of snowmaking (including water usage and greenhouse gas emissions).
- Optimise the use of scarce water resources.
- Reduce the carbon footprint of snow production and slope grooming activities.
- Snowmaking Considerations: In areas where snow reliability is declining, snowmaking may continue to be a necessary solution. However, resorts are encouraged to consider the ethical and environmental implications of relying on machine-made snow, especially given its contribution to climate change.
The SMA’s InfoBriefs aim to provide the alpine sport and tourism industry with clear, accessible scientific knowledge and policy recommendations to inform future decisions and sustainable practices.
For more information
Web: Snow and Ice research in Switzerland and the World (wsl.ch)
Video: https://youtu.be/6HPLzV-wzqQ
Linked’in: linkedin.com/company/eidg-forschungsanstalt-wsl/
Web: https://sustainablemountainalliance.org
Linked’in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainablemountainalliance
Instagram: @SustainableMountainAlliance
Twitter : @SMASportTourism
