Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – As the BBC report highlights, the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are facing a growing reliance on artificial snow, a trend that is simultaneously ensuring competition can take place and raising concerns about athlete safety. With 85% of the snow at the Cortina d’Ampezzo venue expected to be man-made, the Games are becoming a stark illustration of the challenges climate change poses to winter sports.
The sheer scale of snow production is significant. Organizers are preparing to pump out 50,000 cubic meters of artificial snow over the next two weeks to guarantee “the highest-quality surface” for skiers and snowboarders. While the location, situated at an altitude of 1,816 meters (5,958 feet), typically receives substantial snowfall, the need for artificial augmentation underscores a broader shift in the winter sports landscape.
However, this reliance isn’t without its critics. Coaches, athletes, and researchers are voicing concerns that artificial snow is making conditions more unpredictable and, crucially, more dangerous. Madeleine Orr, assistant professor of sport ecology at the University of Toronto, succinctly captures the difference: “It’s the difference between falling on the pavement and falling on grass.” Orr’s research indicates that while falls may not be more frequent on artificial snow, the consequences are often more severe due to the harder surface.
The increasing dependence on artificial snow isn’t a new phenomenon. It’s been nearly 50 years since its initial use at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. But the past decade has seen a marked increase in its application as natural snowfall declines globally and snow seasons shorten. The Winter Olympics in Beijing were the first to depend entirely on artificial snow, a precedent that organizers in Milan-Cortina are now attempting to manage proactively.
The debate isn’t solely focused on safety. A report published in ScienceDirect highlights the environmental and public health concerns associated with artificial snowmaking, specifically regarding the potential dissemination of pollutants. While the report notes a scarcity of studies addressing this issue, it points to a growing awareness of the broader ecological impact of relying on artificial snow.
The ski industry as a whole is grappling with the effects of a warming climate. As Skift reports, rapid global warming and higher temperatures are eroding the foundations of winter tourism, shortening ski seasons, and reducing the predictability of snow conditions. Aspen One, a U.S. Ski company, acknowledges that snowmaking and glacier covers are only temporary solutions, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of climate change.
Despite the concerns, not all athletes view artificial snow as a significant detriment. Menna Fitzpatrick, Britain’s most decorated Paralympian with six medals, emphasizes the reliability it provides. “From a racing point of view, that reliability is really important,” she says, adding that she grew up skiing on indoor slopes in Britain, making artificial snow a familiar surface.
However, the experience isn’t universal. Laura Donaldson, a Scottish freestyle skier who competed in the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, paints a more alarming picture of the dangers posed by poorly maintained artificial snow features. She describes freestyle super pipes formed in low-snow conditions as having “solid, vertical ice” walls and floors, stating that “This is dangerous for athletes, some have died.”
U.S. Skier Rosie Brennan echoes these concerns, telling The Conversation that while television production often portrays a pristine, snowy landscape, the reality on the ground is often quite different, particularly this year. She acknowledges that ski racing inherently carries risks, but questions whether artificial snow is a “key issue” contributing to those risks.
The increasing reliance on artificial snow raises fundamental questions about the future of the Winter Olympics and winter sports in general. While technology offers a temporary solution to dwindling natural snowfall, it also introduces new challenges related to athlete safety, environmental impact, and the overall sustainability of the industry. The 2026 Milan-Cortina Games will serve as a critical test case, demonstrating whether these challenges can be effectively addressed as the climate continues to warm.
The conversation extends beyond simply maintaining competition schedules. The energy consumption associated with snowmaking – and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions – presents a paradox. The very systems designed to preserve winter sports are contributing to the climate change that threatens their existence. Aspen One’s investment in electrification and clean energy partnerships represents one approach to mitigating this impact, but a broader, systemic shift is likely required to ensure the long-term viability of winter sports.
As the Games approach, the focus will undoubtedly be on athletic achievement and national pride. But beneath the surface, a more profound story is unfolding – a story of adaptation, resilience, and the urgent need to address the climate crisis that is reshaping the world of winter sports.
