This is a first: the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) announced this Thursday, October 3 that it would collaborate with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The agreement will come into effect before the 2024-2025 winter season.
“Wasted winter holidays and canceled sporting events are just the tip of the iceberg in the context of climate changesaid WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo in a statement. The retreat of glaciers, the reduction in snow and ice cover as well as the thawing of permafrost are currently having major repercussions on mountain ecosystems, populations and economies which will worsen locally, nationally and globally. in the centuries to come. »
Abandoned ski centers
Global warming and a shortening season threaten winter sports and test the resolve of professionals and amateurs across Europe.
During the 2023-2024 season, FIS organized 616 World Cup events across all disciplines at 166 venues, but 26 were canceled for weather reasons.
European ski destinations, such as Italy, have seen entire mountains without snow and abandoned ski resorts, as rising temperatures threaten the ski industry worldwide.
“The climate crisis is obviously not restricted to the FIS – nor to sport, for that matter: it places humanity at a crossroads, neither more nor less.declared FIS President Johan Eliasch. However, to put it simply, it is true that climate change threatens the existence of skiing and snowboarding. »
And to add: “ We would be failing in our duty by not doing everything possible to follow up on the indications given by scientific studies and objective analyses. This is our line of action and the basis of this promising partnership with WMO.. »
