Posted on July 28, 2008 in Latest News
“They can not make snow, if the temperature is above 30 and humidity is high,”says Bill Farrell, 57,while describing the present situation in Enfield, New Hampshire’s ski areas, also known as the Upper Valley. He skied the area since his childhood.
Impact of Global Warming on Snow Industry:
Analyzing the trends after having skied for over50 years, Farrell feels, to stay in the ski industry, resorts are planning to invest in snowmaking machinery. Adding to these costs, there’s the staff needed to run that machinery, the fuel or electricity required to power them, and the natural resources like water and good weather are essential to make them work.
“Closed” Boards for Skiers:
Some New England ski areas like Tenney Mountain in Plymouth, New Hampshire, remain closed during the 2006-07 season. And even other mountains that opened offered skiers a limited trials. Briefly, winter recreation areas are having to cope with warmer winters. Resorts that can not cope will most likely shut down.
Lisa Isaacs, Environmental Director of California’s Mammoth Mountain, said “the recent winters are most warmest winters we’ve had since installing snowmaking”. “We got some storms and we managed to make a little bit of snow, that’s why the Mammoth opened in recent winters, but the conditions were not ideal”, explained Isaacs.
Global Warming: Hurdle for Winter Business:
As average global temperature rises, United States’ $5 billion ski business sector is taking notice. “Our whole economy will dead, if we don’t have snow,” explained Isaacs briefly about the resort town of mammoth Lakes, added, “everyone is hurt.”
Colorado is considered as one of the worst affected areas, with the warming climate change. Colorado’s outdoor recreation, from skiing to river rafting, depend on climate. For winter recreation business, snow cover is the main highlight.
Making Snow Is Hot:
Man-made snow is prepared by simulating the similar conditions required for natural snow. If the surrounding temperatures are warmer, it is more expensive to make snow. And even in the best conditions, making the man-made white stuff can cost more.
Cutting Heat-Trapping Emissions:
Slopes around the United States are trying hard to cut down the emission of heat-trapping gases, even though, they contribute very less to climate change than other industries. Some resorts are taking initiatives such as solar-powered lighting, lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs, supplemental solar heat panels in life stations and bio-diesel shuttle buses to and from the resorts. The above effective measures may regularize the climate change to some extent.
It is essential to prevent our nature from extreme climate change by utilizing alternative or natural energy more, than polluting the nature with heat-trapping gas emissions.
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