The Winter Olympics are in jeopardy, and it’s not just about the athletes’ performance. Climate change is shrinking the list of cities that can reliably host this global event, leaving us to wonder: where will future generations carve their paths to glory?
Belgian biathlete Maya Cloetens, gearing up for the 2026 Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy, can’t shake the thought of what lies ahead for winter sports. The mountains above Grenoble, France, where she honed her skills in biathlon—a blend of cross-country skiing and precision shooting—are a stark reminder of the changing climate. At just 24, she’s witnessed a dramatic shift: “In 15 years, it has completely changed,” she reflects, noting the dwindling snow that once blanketed her training grounds.
Grenoble, host of the 1968 Winter Olympics, now faces shorter, milder winters with inconsistent snowfall. When the Games return to the French Alps in 2030, Grenoble will be a mere shadow of its former self. But here’s where it gets controversial: as the planet warms at an unprecedented rate, researchers predict that by the 2050s, only 52 of the current 93 mountain locations with winter sports infrastructure will be suitable for hosting the Olympics. By the 2080s, that number could plummet to just 30, depending on global efforts to curb carbon emissions.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is scrambling to adapt. Karl Stoss, chair of the Future Host Commission, reveals they’re considering a rotation system among a permanent pool of suitable locations and moving the Games earlier in the season—March is simply too warm for the Paralympic Games. And this is the part most people miss: the Paralympic Winter Games, held two weeks after the Olympics, are even more vulnerable. Researchers Daniel Scott and Robert Steiger found that starting both events three weeks earlier could nearly double the number of reliable host locations for the Paralympics.
Snowmaking technology, once a backup, is now a necessity. Beijing 2022 relied almost entirely on artificial snow, and Milan-Cortina plans to produce nearly 2.4 million cubic meters of it. TechnoAlpin, an Italian company, has developed systems that can create snow even in temperatures above freezing. But there’s a catch: snowmaking demands immense energy and water, potentially worsening climate change if powered by fossil fuels. For Milan-Cortina, renewable energy is the answer, but the organizing committee still needs 250 million gallons of water—enough to fill 380 Olympic-sized pools.
Here’s the bold truth: snowmaking isn’t a long-term solution. As climatologist Luca Mercalli observes, the Alps are no longer the snow-covered wonderland they once were. “Without water, there are no Games,” warns hydrology professor Carmen de Jong, who criticizes the ecological impact of building reservoirs for snowmaking. Yet, with climate change accelerating, the demand for artificial snow will only grow.
The IOC is taking steps to minimize the environmental footprint of the Games, requiring hosts to reduce water and electricity use and avoid unnecessary construction. But is it enough? Some argue that the only sustainable solution may be to limit the number of sports, athletes, and spectators. What do you think? Is scaling down the Olympics the price we must pay to preserve them?
As the IOC looks to the future, it’s prioritizing countries with existing infrastructure and strong climate protection standards. Switzerland, with its efficient public transportation and established venues, is a frontrunner for 2038. Milan-Cortina, meanwhile, is setting an example by using mostly existing venues and reducing environmental impact. “This is the point where we have to change,” declares Diana Bianchedi, the organizing committee’s chief strategy officer, emphasizing the need for a sustainable future for both the Olympics and society at large.
The question remains: can we adapt fast enough to save the Winter Olympics, or will they become a relic of a colder past? Share your thoughts below—let’s spark a conversation that could shape the future of this beloved event.
