Climate change is shrinking the pool of Winter Olympics host sites.

Researchers estimate that of 93 mountain locations with current winter-sports infrastructure, roughly 52 would be reliably suitable by the 2050s and the number could fall to about 30 by the 2080s; the IOC is exploring a permanent pool of hosts and earlier event dates.

Belgian biathlete Maya Cloetens trains for the Milan-Cortina Games while noting shorter, milder winters in places such as Grenoble. Researchers have projected that warming will reduce the number of mountain locations able to reliably host Winter Games. The International Olympic Committee is discussing rotating the games among a permanent pool of suitable hosts and holding events earlier in the season. Organizers are also planning for greater use of manufactured snow and for increased water and energy needs. Key findings: - Researchers report that of 93 mountain locations with current winter-sports infrastructure, about 52 are likely to be climate-reliable in the 2050s, and the number could drop to around 30 by the 2080s depending on future emissions. - The IOC is considering a permanent rotation of suitable host locations and earlier scheduling because March conditions are warming and may be unsuitable for the Paralympic Games. - The modeling the IOC is using assumes advanced snowmaking; researchers found almost no locations that could reliably host snow sports by mid-century without artificial snow. - Snowmaking carries large water and energy demands; Milan-Cortina organizers plan substantial artificial snow and new high-elevation reservoirs to store water for the Games. - Several past host sites, including Grenoble, Chamonix, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Sochi, are projected as not climate-reliable by the 2050s, while others are described as climatically risky. Summary: Climate change is narrowing where Winter Olympics and Paralympics can be held, creating longer-term planning challenges for organizers and host communities. The IOC has selected the French Alps for 2030 and Salt Lake City for 2034 and is in talks with Switzerland about 2038, while also exploring a permanent pool of hosts and earlier event dates. Continued assessment of reliable sites and infrastructure needs is ongoing.