Managing for climate change in the alpine ski sector

The impact climate change will have on the alpine ski sector has received increasing attention from tourism scholars and industry representatives. This paper uses the US Northeast as a case study to examine the integrated regional impacts of climate change by modeling local-level impacts at all 103-ski areas operating in the region. Failing to examine an entire marketplace – as has been done in much of the climate change and ski tourism literature – means it is difficult to understand the regional implications that vulnerability at one ski area could mean for an adjacent ski area, for the regional ski marketplace, or for communities and individuals reliant on the sector generally. This paper presents the results of this comprehensive analysis, provides a discussion of the implications of change, and proposes a decision-making tool intended to help guide ski resort management in light of projected climate change.

► The impact of climate change is modeled for all 103 operating ski areas in the US Northeast. ► Modeling techniques are refined through the inclusion of generic lapse rates. ► Many ski areas are not expected to be economically viable as early as mid-century. ► Ski areas remaining viable could take advantage of a reduction in marketplace competition. ► A decision-making flowchart is proposed to assist ski resort managers deal with climate change.