“Business As Usual” For Ski Resorts Despite Climate Change Gloom-Mongering
An annual study into the state of the world ski industry has found that overall skier numbers are not showing any sign of decline, despite premature reports of its demise.
An annual study into the state of the world ski industry has found that overall skier numbers are not showing any sign of decline, despite premature reports of its demise.
“Despite the anti-ski ideology spread by mainstream media, politicians and part of the general public, skiing is not yet finished,” said Laurent Vanat at the publication of the latest edition of his International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism.
“Many mountain destinations around the world are happy to continue welcoming their winter guests, which supply for substantial part of their local economy. Everybody in the industry is aware of the climate issues and working hard to consolidate a four-season operating model when it makes sense, but the path is long and not easy. However there is no way to kill skiing while it is still perfectly alive and will remain so for long in most of the resorts that make most of the ski business,” Mr Vanat added.
The 16th edition of the International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism was unveiled at the Mountain Planet trade show in Grenoble.
The data in the report, compiled from the 2022/23 ski season, found that overall skier numbers were generally in line with the averages for the past few decades, with a total of more than 370 million skier visits worldwide overall.
Among the winners were Canada, Italy and the US which, all posted all-time record numbers, whilst the 21st century boom destination of China suffered a numbers drop as covid restrictions continued. Germany had its worse ever season due in large part to poor snow cover.
Hard copies of the report can be purchased online at vanat.ch
