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The snow must go on: can snowmaking keep ski resorts profitable in a changing climate?

Author

Listed:
  • Jonathan Cognard

    (UR LESSEM - Laboratoire des EcoSystèmes et des Sociétés en Montagne - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Fédération OSUG - Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes, Labex ITTEM - Laboratoire d'excellence Innovations et transitions territoriales en montagne - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes)

  • Lucas Berard-Chenu

    (Esthua Faculté de Tourisme, Culture et Hospitalité, UR LESSEM - Laboratoire des EcoSystèmes et des Sociétés en Montagne - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Fédération OSUG - Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes, ESO - Espaces et Sociétés - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UM - Le Mans Université - UA - Université d'Angers - UR2 - Université de Rennes 2 - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Nantes Univ - IGARUN - Institut de Géographie et d'Aménagement Régional de l'Université de Nantes - Nantes Université - pôle Humanités - Nantes Univ - Nantes Université - Institut Agro Rennes Angers - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement)

  • Yves Schaeffer

    (UR LESSEM - Laboratoire des EcoSystèmes et des Sociétés en Montagne - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Fédération OSUG - Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes)

  • Hugues François

    (UR LESSEM - Laboratoire des EcoSystèmes et des Sociétés en Montagne - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Fédération OSUG - Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes)

Abstract

Climate change threatens the economic performance of ski resorts, and therefore the economies of mountain regions. Increased snowmaking is the leading adaptation strategy, but its economic contribution remains unclear. To fill this gap, we used dynamic panel data modelling to analyse the economic performance of 56 French Alpine ski lift operators over a 15-year period (2004/05 to 2018/19). Economic performance remains strongly linked to ski lift capacity and shows a high degree of persistence over time, all other things being equal. No evidence has been found that increased investment in snowmaking improves resort sales or profits, even in the worst natural snow seasons. These results strongly challenge the idea that increased snowmaking is an effective economic adaptation to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Cognard & Lucas Berard-Chenu & Yves Schaeffer & Hugues François, 2024. "The snow must go on: can snowmaking keep ski resorts profitable in a changing climate?," Post-Print hal-04746652, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04746652
    DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2024.2409862
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04746652v1
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