In a Warming World, Winter Olympics Organizers Will Have to Adapt
Sunday, February 1, 2026
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The 2026 Winter Olympics in the Italian Alps will face challenges due to climate change, which has decreased snowpack by up to 20% per decade in parts of the Northern Hemisphere, threatening the very existence of the games.
A 2024 study found that only 52 locations will be "climate-reliable" for the Olympics by the 2050s, and just 22 for the Paralympics, under the most likely emissions scenario, highlighting the need for urgent adaptation.
Shifting the games to earlier dates could increase the number of climate-suitable host countries, according to climate expert Daniel Scott, but this would come with its own set of complexities, including securing pre-games housing and infrastructure.
The use of artificial snow is becoming increasingly important for both the Olympics and recreational winter sports, but it contributes to the climate feedback loop, as the emissions from this process feed the climate change that will reduce future natural snowpack.
The International Olympic Committee has produced over 2 million cubic yards of artificial snow for the 2026 games, straining local water supplies and disrupting soil and plant growth, raising concerns about the environmental impact of the games.
The Olympic Games' own emissions, including those from building new facilities, broadcasting, and spectator travel, must be reckoned with to secure a future less threatened by climate change, experts warn.
The impact of climate change on winter sports is not limited to the Olympics, as recreational ski and snowboarding seasons are shortening, threatening the economies of towns that rely on these industries, and highlighting the need for a broader response to the climate crisis.
