Reliable snow conditions represent a crucial economic prerequisite for the skiing industry. The lack of snow due to low precipitation or high temperatures is an immense challenge for winter sport destinations and especially the mountain railway companies. Artificial snow production is the key adaptation strategy to rising temperatures, enhanced economic competition and increasing requirements of winter tourists. The increase in snowing facilities in the Alps has been dramatic in recent years.
This study "Climate change and winter tourism: Economic and ecological effects of artificial snow production" aims at analyzing the relevance of snow production for mountain railways, tourism destinations and tourists as well as at demonstrating impacts on the regional economy, resource consumption (water, energy) and the environment. We addressed the following research questions:
• Does artificial snow production contribute to a positive regional economic development of the community of Davos?
• How do tourists in the Swiss Alps perceive the relevance of snow productions for winter tourism?
• What are adaptation strategies of stakeholders (mountain railways, communities) to the experienced and expected changes in climate?
• How much water and energy is needed for the snow production and how does it relate to the regional and the resource consumption of other activities in tourism?
• What are ecological impacts of snow productions and which should be the precautions in the construction of snowing facilities?
• Will artificial snowing be possible under the predicted temperature increase, and will investments into facilities be cost-efficient?