Climate change threatens the Winter Olympics’ future – and even snowmaking has limits for saving the Games

Innovations have made recent Winter Games possible, but the future climate will have a big impact on where the Olympics can be held and winter sports themselves.

By: Steven R. Fassnacht, Colorado State University and Sunshine Swetnam, Colorado State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 3, 2026

Words: 1,239

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

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By Steven R. Fassnacht, Colorado State University and Sunshine Swetnam, Colorado State University

Watching the Winter Olympics is an adrenaline rush as athletes fly down snow-covered ski slopes, luge tracks and over the ice at breakneck speeds and with grace.

When the first Olympic Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France, in 1924, all 16 events took place outdoors. The athletes relied on natural snow for ski runs and freezing temperatures for ice rinks.

Nearly …

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