In the Alps and In the States, Flakes Are Snow-where To Be Found
It may still be February, but around the world, rising temperatures are already making it seem like spring has officially arrived. While some people are jumping for joy, others are not so thrilled. Chief among the latter group are the world’s skiers, snowmobilers, snowboarders, and snow lodge owners (not to mention all of the world’s downhearted climate scientists).
The unseasonal conditions are putting a real damper on countless winter recreation plans. The Swiss Alps are a historic ski destination, but this December was the driest one on record in more than 150 years. In fact, it was the third Christmas in a row that saw very little fresh powder, and new research suggests that, if climate trends continue, the Alps could lose as much as 70% of their snow cover by the century’s end.
Not only is there less snow on the Alps, but the snow season seems to be getting shorter, too. Rising temperatures could cause the ski season to start up to a month later than it currently does.
Regions like the Alps depend on wintertime tourism, so the lack of snow could have a huge impact on the local economy. To compensate for the lack of snowfall, many ski resorts, including ones throughout the U.S., have to use artificial snow.
While making snow isn’t cheap, the cost of staying closed during peak season is far more painful. By not using artificial snow, stateside ski resorts can potentially lose thousands to millions of dollars.
Man-made snow may not be precisely like the real thing, but it’s still a highly refined process — a real art, for some. It’s possible to create almost any type of snow, from light and fluffy to wet and heavy.
The main difference between the artificial flakes and the ones that fall from the sky is their size. Artificial snow is made by snow guns that shoot water molecules 10 to 20 feet up in the air; the molecules then freeze instantly and create snow. These molecules are tiny due to several components. Anyone who has worked in manufacturing may be familiar with compressed air systems, as 70% of all manufacturers use them. These snow guns do too, along with a ton of water pressure and teeny valve openings. The droplets that come out of the guns are thin, like mist. If you were to have bigger droplets, the process would form ice, rather than snow.
While artificial snow may address more immediate issues for both winter sports enthusiasts and those who operate ski lodges, it doesn’t solve the underlying problem of rising global temperatures. Climate scientists warn that unless humans reduce their emissions, and soon, snow seasons will likely become shorter still. Total reliance on artificial snow is not an option, either financially or ecologically.
While research shows that saving the Alps is entirely possible by mitigating climate change, the question remains whether people will act quickly enough — or at all — to stop ski towns from going extinct.
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