Truths and myths about technical snow production

There is a lot to understand — and a lot to misunderstand — about technical snow production: a process that becomes increasingly popular with ski resorts as global temperatures rise. 

It is with the idea of presenting a balanced argument about this practice that FIS has compiled a short guide: Technical Snow 101: Truths and Myths.  

In Switzerland, the percentage of ski areas with technical snow increased from less than 10% in 2000 to 36% by 2010. In 2021, 90% of ski areas in Italy, 70% in Austria, 53% in Switzerland, 37% in France, and 25% in Germany used technical snow. 

As more resorts turn to technical snow production to ensure good skiing conditions throughout the year, this transition has raised concerns that this practice could harm the natural environments that skiers value. But how much truth is there to these concerns? What should be taken into account when assessing the environmental impact of technical snow? 

For example, a common misunderstanding is that technical snowmaking demands a lot of energy and therefore has a high carbon footprint. Canada, for example, produces around 42 million cubic meters of machine-made snow in a typical winter. This uses as much energy as nearly 17,000 homes do in a year (130,000 metric tons of CO2 per year). 

However, taking a broader view, a 2023 study found that snowmaking contributes only 2–4% of the total carbon footprint at ski resorts. The majority of emissions stem from factors such as transportation (e.g., air travel) and accommodation. 

"Other recreational venues are rarely scrutinized for their environmental impact in the way ski facilities are. It would be beneficial to examine and compare the CO₂ footprints of these amenities alongside those of ski areas to gain a more balanced understanding," says Marit Gjerland, Venue Advisor for the Norwegian Ski Federation, interviewed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.