Winter Sports Face Melting Challenges

Winter sports are feeling the heat as the planet warms up. Athletes are finding it harder to train as snow becomes scarce and conditions become less predictable. This is not just a problem for the upcoming Winter Olympics but for the future of these sports. Athletes are having to adapt. Some are traveling further to find snow, while others are training in gyms or on wheels. This is not just about convenience; it's about survival. The sports that rely on cold, snowy conditions are at risk. Take Bea Kim, a snowboarder aiming for the Winter Olympics. She's not just worried about making the team; she's worried about the future of winter itself. "I'm worried for the future of winter, " she said. And she's not alone. Marion Thénault, a Canadian freestyle skier, is chasing snow. She and her team had to train in Utah because there wasn't enough snow near their home base in Quebec City. "We're chasing the snow, " she said. But this comes at a cost. More travel means more carbon emissions, contributing to the problem. Julia Kern, an American cross-country skier, had to train in a gym this summer because of wildfire smoke. She's also noticed warmer, slushier conditions in recent competitions. She's using her platform to advocate for climate action. "Everyone has a chance to change our future for the better, " she said. Sophie Goldschmidt, CEO of U. S. Ski & Snowboard, said the inconsistent weather makes it harder to prepare athletes. They need backup plans and more flexibility, which costs more money. "The future of these sports is directly tied to the health of our planet, " she said. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, a Norwegian ski racer, wants to make a difference but acknowledges the irony of his situation. He's a climate activist who relies on snow for his sport. "I know what I do is skiing and that needs snow, " he said. Gus Schumacher, a cross-country skier from Alaska, noticed the lack of snow in his backyard last January. He's part of "Protect Our Winters, " an athlete-driven environmental group. He's seen the changes firsthand. "It's pretty easy to tell where glaciers used to be, " he said. Sarah Cookler, head of sport for U. S. ski mountaineering, said they're having to adapt their training methods. They're using skis on wheels and planning to arrive early for competitions to acclimate to higher elevations. "There's no consistent snow at low elevations anymore, " she said. Cam Smith, an American ski mountaineer, is doing more running to stay in shape. He's noticed more rain and less snow in the Alps and Pyrenees. "It's been really stark and noticeable, " he said.