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The climate crisis is threatening the future of humanity winter olympicsas winter warming has forced people to rely heavily on artificial Snow Questions have been raised about the long-term viability of traditional ski venues in the upcoming Italian competition.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, co-hosted by Milan and the Alpine town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, will reportedly rely on millions of cubic meters of artificial snow as warming winters reduce the number of freezing days in the Italian Alps.
The Olympics, which will be held from February 6-22, 2026, are expected to require more than 3 million cubic yards of machine-made snow. This is despite the fact that many outdoor events take place at high altitudes around Cortina d’Ampezzo, according to an analysis by the nonprofit news organization Climate Central.
February temperature Since hosting the Winter Olympics in 1956, temperatures in Cortina have risen 6.4°F (3.6C), bringing average winter temperatures close to the thaw point. In the decade following the 1956 Olympics, Cortina had an average of 214 freezing days per year. In the past decade, this number has dropped to 173 days, a decrease of nearly 20%.
This trend is reflected in Milanwill host indoor ice events such as figure skating and puck. Temperatures in February during the same period rose by 5.8°F (3.2C), while temperatures in March, associated with the Winter Paralympics, also increased significantly.
A Climate Central analysis shows average temperatures have risen 4.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 degrees Celsius) since 1950 in all 19 cities hosting the Winter Olympics. Cortina’s average February snow depth has dropped by about 15 centimeters since the early 1970s, increasing reliance on artificial snowmaking to ensure a safe and consistent playing surface.
While snowmaking has become a regular feature of elite winter sporting events, it also has practical limitations. Artificial snow requires sustained sub-freezing temperatures to settle and refreeze properly. When temperatures hover around freezing, organizers face a variety of risks, including rain-soaked fields, uneven snow cover and hard surfaces that can increase the likelihood of injury for athletes.
Another study evaluated 93 previous and potential Winter Olympics host sites, looking at the likelihood of freezing temperatures and minimum snow depth. The study found that while 94% of locations currently meet climate reliability thresholds, under moderate global warming this number could drop to 56% by the 2050s.
The outlook for the Winter Paralympics, usually held in March, is more challenging. Currently, only 53% of potential host cities meet the reliability standards for Winter Paralympic events – this number is expected to drop to 24% by mid-century, with high emissions scenarios leaving only a handful of viable host cities until the 2080s.
Elite athletes are already feeling the effects. Survey shows 94% of top athletes and coaches are concerned climate change A shortened season will damage the future of the sport by forcing athletes to cross continents to train.
Long-term forecasts show a 50-60% chance of above-average temperatures in the Milan-Cortina region in February, rising to 60-70% in March, underscoring the growing uncertainty for winter sports in Europe’s traditional alpine heartland.
The International Olympic Committee has committed to making future Olympics “climate positive” starting in 2030. But data shows that even with sustainable measures in place, warming winters are steadily reducing the number of places that can reliably host the world’s biggest winter sporting events.