US Ski Resorts Struggle with Record Heat and Low Snowfall

Ski areas forced to bulldoze snow onto runs as climate change impacts winter sports season

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:08pm

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Ski resorts across the western United States are facing an unprecedented challenge this season due to record-low snowfall and scorching spring temperatures. More than half of the 120 ski areas in the region have already closed early or never opened at all, forcing operators to bulldoze remaining snow onto runs in a desperate attempt to stay open. Skiers and snowboarders are finding bare dirt patches and large puddles on the slopes, with some even wearing bikinis to beat the heat. Climate experts attribute the trend to long-term climate change, warning that the $20 billion ski and snowboard industry may struggle to remain sustainable if high winter temperatures persist.

Why it matters

The abnormally mild winter and early spring heatwave have had a devastating impact on the ski industry, which supports over 190,000 jobs across the western United States. The lack of snowpack also raises wildfire risks at higher elevations and threatens water supplies for major cities that rely on snowmelt. The situation highlights the growing threat that climate change poses to winter sports and the regional economies that depend on them.

The details

Ski resorts like Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico have been forced to bulldoze remaining snow onto runs in order to stay open, as the region has seen record-low snowfall this season. In Park City, Utah, streets and restaurants that would normally be packed with vacationers are quiet, with the resort receiving only about half its normal snowfall. In Colorado, many ski areas have had to close early or never opened at all, with less than 20% of trails remaining open at resorts like Vail. Climate scientist Daniel Swain said snowpack is on track to be the lowest on record at almost every western ski destination, attributing the trend to long-term climate change.

  • In the week to Thursday March 26, temperatures in the Western U.S. have been 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit (11-17 Celsius) higher than normal, breaking daily records in over 150 locations.
  • More than half of the 120 ski resorts in the U.S. West have already closed, will close early, or never opened this year due to the mild winter that saw record-low snowfall.

The players

Daniel Swain

A climate scientist and associate researcher with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, who said snowpack was on track to be the lowest on record at almost every western ski destination.

Rob Katz

The Chief Executive of Vail Resorts, which operates 37 North American ski resorts, described the year as the 'worst-case weather scenario' for many of its properties.

Abby Freireich

A visitor to Park City, Utah, who described the resort's terrain as 'otherworldly, almost like a sci-fi landscape' due to the lack of snow.

Allison Buffum

The owner of a restaurant in Silverthorne, Colorado, who said business was down 10-15% due to the lack of snow and skiers.

Maylyn Bubala

A student at Oregon State University who was skiing in an athletic bikini top at Taos Ski Valley due to the 80-degree heat, just days before the resort closed.

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What they’re saying

“This was a remarkably bad snow year, not just one basin, but across most of them. It's really just been a tale of astonishing warmth throughout the West.”

— Daniel Swain, Climate scientist

“This has been the most challenging winter across the Rockies that we have ever experienced with the lowest snowfall levels in more than 30 years for our Colorado and Utah resorts.”

— Rob Katz, Chief Executive, Vail Resorts

“It's otherworldly, almost like a sci-fi landscape, the terrain, so much of it is closed off or not skiable.”

— Abby Freireich

“There is no snow on the mountains. It was a pretty horrific winter, the worst since 1976.”

— Allison Buffum, Restaurant owner, Silverthorne, Colorado

“The rising temperatures, it's pretty insane. This is not natural.”

— Maylyn Bubala, Student, Oregon State University

What’s next

Climate experts warn that the ski industry may struggle to remain sustainable if high winter temperatures persist, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the $20 billion winter sports sector and the 190,000 jobs it supports across the western United States.

The takeaway

The unprecedented challenges facing ski resorts this season, from record-low snowfall to scorching spring temperatures, serve as a stark reminder of the growing threat that climate change poses to the winter sports industry and the regional economies that depend on it. As the impacts of global warming become more severe, the ski industry may need to adapt and explore new strategies to remain viable in the face of these environmental changes.