Winter Olympics adapt to a hotter world with upgraded snowmaking.

Host cities are investing in advanced snowmaking and other upgrades as Alpine regions warm faster than the global average; the IOC has set new sustainability obligations from 2030 and is considering rotating hosts among climate‑reliable countries.

The 2026 Winter Games in Milan‑Cortina are taking place amid clear signs of regional warming and concern about reliable snow cover. Alpine areas have been warming faster than the global average, leading to shorter winters and more variable snowfall. Organizers have made multimillion‑dollar investments in artificial snowmaking and related infrastructure to preserve competition surfaces. The International Olympic Committee is also weighing longer‑term changes to how hosts are chosen and to event sustainability requirements. Key points: - Cities that have hosted the Winter Games since 1950 have warmed by an average of 2.7°C, according to Climate Central. - A University of Bayreuth study reports that 13% of global ski areas could lose natural snow cover between 2071 and 2100 if emissions continue at current rates. - Research by the University of Waterloo and the University of Innsbruck indicates at least 44% of the 93 locations with Olympic infrastructure will have unreliable snow by about 2050. - The Milano Cortina Foundation has upgraded snowmaking systems that use less water and energy, according to its head of sport competitions. - The IOC announced contractual sustainability obligations beginning in 2030 and is considering rotating the Winter Games among a small group of climate‑reliable countries. - Hosting this year’s Games is estimated to cost about $3 billion, according to an Oxford fellow. Summary: Rising temperatures are prompting hosts to rely more on artificial snow and to make costly infrastructure investments, while some lower‑altitude resorts shift toward non‑winter activities. The IOC has introduced contractual sustainability obligations from 2030 and is exploring a rotation of hosts limited to places that meet cold‑weather criteria. The pool of suitable host locations and the broader implications for athletes and local communities are undetermined at this time.