Winter Olympics face increasing climate-driven snow uncertainty

Heavy January snowfall eased immediate venue concerns for the Milano Cortina Winter Games, but scientists report long-term warming has reduced reliable natural snow at many historical and potential host sites.

Organizers of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics welcomed heavy January snow that eased short-term worries about slope readiness. Alpine areas are warming faster than the global average, producing shorter winters and more variable snowfall. Hosts and governments have invested in upgraded artificial snow systems and support infrastructure to protect venues. The International Olympic Committee has set new sustainability obligations and is weighing changes to where future Games can be held. Key facts: - Cities that hosted Winter Games since 1950 have warmed by an average of about 2.7°C above their historical temperatures, according to Climate Central. - Research cited in the article reports that roughly 44% of the 93 locations with Winter Games infrastructure will have unreliable snow conditions by around 2050. - Milano Cortina upgraded artificial snowmaking and built high-altitude water storage, and equipment manufacturer TechnoAlpin received funding to support snow infrastructure. Summary: The warming trend is shrinking the number of reliably snowy locations and raising operational and financial challenges for winter sport organizers. The IOC has introduced contractual sustainability requirements beginning in 2030 and is considering rotating hosts among a smaller set of climate-reliable countries; how such changes will be applied for future Games is undetermined at this time.