Skiing could end in many French resorts

The report finds that if we fail to meet the standards set at the COP21 Paris climate conference – no more than a two degree temperature rise by 2100 - then the Alps could lose as much as 70% of snow cover and a dependable season of winter sports may not be possible in resorts under 2,500m.

What is more, snow depth could decrease by 40% even at heights of above 3,000m.

In the French Alps most resorts are situated lower than 2,500m, though Alpes d’Huez, Chamonix and Val d’Isère have some slopes over 3,000m.

As for resorts under 1,200m, which applies to a quarter of French resorts, they are likely to see more rain and less snow, and no more continuous winter snow cover, with a dramatic impact on the local economies.

Even in the best-case scenario snow cover is predicted to worsen, but sticking to the greenhouse gas emissions targets set at COP21 will be essential to moderate it, say the scientists from the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) and the Cryos Laboratory.

If the targets are met then snow-cover reduction would be limited to 30% by the end of the century. Even so, the ski season may start half a month to a month later than now.

The research, published in The Cryosphere journal, predicts generally that winters in the Alps will see more rain and less snow, but to what extent will depend on limiting the rise in temperatures.

“The fact that we lose 30% of the Alpine snow cover with the 2°C global warming scenario is sad, but at the same time encouraging compared to the 70% loss when we go on with business as usual,” said Christoph Marty, a research scientist at SLF.

This comes as 2016 saw the third year in a row with little snow over Christmas in Alpine resorts, though conditions are now acceptable after snowfall in January.