The 2026 Winter Olympics, set to unfold in the Italian Alps, will present a familiar spectacle to viewers: pristine, white slopes and athletes competing on snow-covered landscapes. However, a closer look reveals a growing reliance on artificial snow, particularly at lower elevations where rain and slushy conditions have become increasingly common.
“Most of our races are on machine-made snow,” U.S. Olympic team cross-country skier Rosie Brennan told us ahead of the Games. “TV production is great at making it look like we are in wintry, snowy places, but this year has been particularly bad.”
Scientists have observed a decrease in snowpack across the Northern Hemisphere, with some regions experiencing a reduction of as much as 20 percent per decade. A 2024 study highlighted a dwindling number of potential host locations as temperatures continue to rise. The upcoming games are taking place against this backdrop of a changing climate.
The need for artificial snow is not new, but its scale is growing. Organizers have already produced nearly 1.6 million cubic meters of technical snow for the venues, and this reliance on snowmaking is becoming essential as climate change impacts winter sports.
However, machine-made snow isn’t the same as the natural variety. It creates a different racing surface – faster and icier – which can alter the dynamics of the competition and potentially increase the risk of injury.
Cross-country skiers, like Brennan and Ben Ogden, are adapting their techniques and ski preparation to navigate these altered conditions. They emphasize the need for a different skillset and a greater awareness of the risks associated with racing on artificial snow. The reliance on snowmaking also impacts training regimes, with athletes increasingly seeking higher elevations to find reliable snow conditions or resorting to rollerski training when natural snow is unavailable.
The changes extend beyond the athletes. Communities that depend on winter tourism are also feeling the effects of less predictable snow conditions. As temperatures continue to rise, the future of the Winter Olympics, and the winter sports they showcase, remains uncertain.
Air temperature in the Alps has increased by approximately 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th century. The 2025 was the third-warmest year on record globally. These warming trends are leading to earlier snowmelt, shorter snow seasons, and a rising snow line, fundamentally altering the winter landscape.
