Climate Change Poses Challenges for Future Winter Olympics

Warmer temperatures and lack of natural snow force organizers to rely on artificial snow, raising concerns about safety and environmental impact.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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As global warming continues to impact traditional Winter Olympics host cities, climate experts warn that hosting the games will become increasingly challenging in the future. The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will take place in a much warmer world, with average temperatures in Cortina, Italy having risen by 6.4°F since the region first hosted the games in 1956. This has led to fewer freezing days and a shortage of naturally made snow, forcing organizers to ship in 3 million cubic yards of artificial snow. The artificial snow is considered 'icier' and 'riskier' for athletes, and the energy required to produce and transport it exacerbates the carbon footprint of the games. Other potential host cities like Salt Lake City and the French Alps are also grappling with declining snowfall, putting the future of the Winter Olympics in jeopardy.

Why it matters

The warming planet is impacting traditional Winter Olympics host regions, forcing organizers to rely more on artificial snow and raising concerns about the safety of athletes and the environmental toll. As fewer locations have reliable winter conditions, the future of the Winter Games is under threat, highlighting the broader challenges posed by climate change for major sporting events.

The details

Event organizers for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics were required to ship in 3 million cubic yards of artificial snow, despite the games taking place in the high altitudes of the Italian Alps. Climate experts say the artificial snow is 'icier' and a 'riskier' surface for athletes to compete on compared to natural snow. The energy required to produce and transport the artificial snow also exacerbates the carbon footprint of the games. Similar challenges are being faced in other potential host regions, such as Salt Lake City, which has seen dramatically lower snowfall this winter, and the French Alps, which have lost about a third of their snowfall over the past century.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are about to kick off in Milano Cortina, Italy.
  • Average temperatures in Cortina, Italy have risen by 6.4°F since the region first hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956.
  • The 2030 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in the French Alps, which have lost about a third of their snowfall over the past century.
  • The 2034 Winter Olympics are slated to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, which has only seen 0.10 inches of snow so far this winter compared to a typical 33.4 inches by early February.

The players

Marcene Mitchell

Senior vice president for climate change at the World Wildlife Fund.

Carlos Martinez

Senior climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Jon Meyer

Assistant Utah state climatologist.

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What they’re saying

“The number of freezing days, which is what you need to have snow, has dropped by almost 20%.”

— Marcene Mitchell, Senior vice president for climate change, World Wildlife Fund (ABC News)

“To create artificial snow requires massive amounts of water and energy.”

— Marcene Mitchell, Senior vice president for climate change, World Wildlife Fund (ABC News)

“Globally, winters are changing drastically.”

— Jon Meyer, Assistant Utah state climatologist (ABC News)

What’s next

The impact of climate change on future Winter Olympics host cities will likely be an ongoing challenge, as fewer regions have reliable winter conditions suitable for hosting the games.

The takeaway

The warming planet is posing serious threats to the future of the Winter Olympics, forcing organizers to rely on energy-intensive artificial snow and raising concerns about athlete safety and the environmental toll. As fewer potential host cities have the necessary winter conditions, the long-term viability of the Winter Games is in jeopardy.