Also in the past two seasons, many areas have had less snow than they did ten years ago. Scattered snowfall is proportional to the trend of warming due to climate change. The Alps have already warmed by about 2 degrees in the past 100 years, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). This is twice the global average. The melting of reflective glaciers causes mountain air to warm more rapidly.

EMA predicts that at least half of the ski resorts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland will have difficulty attracting winter sports tourists in the future. Since the regions of the French Alps are often higher, problems are unlikely to be expected here.

However, the French tourism industry will also look out the mountain hut window with apprehension. Most of the largest alpine resorts, where there is less snow, are located in France. Above average snow fell only in the regions of Le Grand Massif (France), Silvretta Arena (Austria/Switzerland) and Via Lattea (Italy).

In eight regions, about half fell below average. In St. Anton, Austria (72 percent less snowfall), the decrease in white flakes was relatively larger. Only last year there was less snow here. Four regions have seen less snow in 11 years, including Les 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the Alps.