Panelists discuss impacts of climate change on snow sports

Climate scientist Anne Nolin says future winters in Montana are likely to see ups and downs in the amount of snow, but an overall warming trend will continue.

Nolin, Director of the Oregon State University Mountain Hydroclimatology Research Group, predicts the trend will continue to mean more winter rainfall, less snow and earlier snowmelt. She notes that small increases in temperature may be hard for most people may be hard to grasp, but that could have a big impact on the snow sports industry.

“We’re already seeing that the snow this decade is not as good,” she said. “There’s not as many skiable days and there is more rain at the bottom of the mountain.”

Though she says Whitefish Mountain Resort may have a competitive advantage compared to lower-elevation or lower-latitude ski areas, it still may face the negative impacts of climate change. Through using global climate models, she predicts that the percentage of warm winters — those where the mean monthly temperature exceeds 32 degrees Fahrenheit for any of the months of December through February — for Big Mountain could increase compared to the historical period. Possible impacts could occur to the ski and snowmobile seasons, but there’s also likely to be less reliable snow for low-elevation Nordic skiing and fewer opportunities for ice skating and ice fishing.

“If rural communities surrounding ski hills want to continue to have a thriving lifestyle we have to respond,” she said. “Mountains are the sentinels for what’s happening when you see the impacts of climate change.”

Nolin was among a panel of scientists, those involved with outdoor recreation, and advocates for finding solutions to climate change who were part of a panel discussion last week at the O’Shaughnessy Center.

The event hosted by 350 Glacier Climate Smart Glacier Country, National Parks Conservation Association, and the Flathead Valley Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, opened by showing the documentary “Saving Snow.”

In the film, a number of scientists talk about the warming trend they’re seeing for winters that is projected to accelerate, but also shows the stories of those working in winter outdoor recreation who are having to adapt to shorter and less snowy winters.

Jeff Spring, director of the Ski & Ride School at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Vermont, opens the film. He talks about how his resort has been forced to lay off employees because a lack of visitors and the impact that’s had in forcing local businesses to close because less snow directly translated to a lack of business.

“The ski industry has seen a huge impact from climate change,” he said in an interview with the Pilot following the film showing. “We’ve seen a huge impact on the Vermont economy as a result.”

Spring said he has observed one thawing day during winter turn into a week and then several weeks.

“We’re loosing money because there’s no snow,” he said. “We really have no choice, but to act.”

One of the ways Smugglers has responded is to educate the visitors that come through its Ski & Ride School about natural environment. He notes that many come from the city and it’s the resorts opportunity to make sure they “connect to the mountain and outdoors, which creates empathy for the natural world.”

Speaking as part of the panel following the film, Dave Hadden, with North Shore Nordic Club, says he is seeing the impact of climate change with an erosion of the season at both ends. He said the seasons are shorter for cross-country skiing both at the Bigfork Community Nordic Center and on the Blacktail Mountain Nordic Trails.

“We’re having trouble starting the season by Christmas and it’s burning out at the beginning of March,” he said. “We are concerned.”

Greg Fortin, of Glacier Adventure Guides, says he has spent 20 years in Glacier National Park and during the summer he guides hikers to areas of the park that still has glaciers, but wonders for how long.

“We’re seeing the glaciers disappear,” he said. “Glacier Park is a place of change.”

Brett Cease, the Volunteer Education and Engagement Coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, is Nordic ski racer who appears in film and was part of the panel discussion. The Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change.

When asked what individuals can do in regards to climate change, Cease said his organization recommends “five levers of political will.” Those involved can lobby state and federal elected representatives, work through media and social media outlets to spread the message, conduct grassroots outreach to educate the public, do outreach to educate community leaders, and develop or get involved in a local chapter of Citizens Climate. He also noted the work of another climate advocacy group, Protect Our Winters (POW).

“These are filing the need for citizens that want to have a voice,” he said. “There is an outlet for those that want to get involved.”