The end of skiing

My Grandfather loved to ski. When my mom was little he purchased a chalet in Collingwood near the biggest moutain range in Ontario to increase his ski days. I love to ski and have had the fortune to ski at some of the best places in the world, but a new report suggests that my great grandchildren won't be sharing this joy. A new report released last month in Park City, Utah is projecting the temperature to rise between six and 15 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century. While a number of residents packed an auditorium and bit their nails waiting to hear the results, I think everyone knew what was going to be said. We may not be skiing in 2100. The evidence is all around us. World Cup races were canceled earlier this year in Val d'Isere, France and St. Moritz, Switzerland due to a lack of snow. Closer to home, there was barely any skiing to be done over Christmas vacation in the Eastern parts of Canada and the U.S. Even if we change all of our habits, there is still a lag that will eventually hit us.
In response to a comment made a few weeks ago about Saudi Prince Al-Waleed purchasing the chain of Fairmont Hotels including Chateau Whistler, I would agree that he has competing interests. The more oil he sells, the more global warming therefore shorter ski seasons. People are already saying that in a few decades it will only extend from Christmas to President's Day in the middle of February. To give a comparison, I have skied from October until June in Colorado before.
What would make good economic sense for the Prince would be to invest in ways to extend the ski season.
What would make sense for all skiers would be to do somethings that reduce greenhouse emitions. The problem I have found is that skiers won't start to care until the snow stops falling. Whistler has been having one of the greatest seasons ever so why should we do anything now? It is only time before it catches up to us. The report shows that the rockies are warming up at twice the rate as low lying areas. This all may look bleak, but next week I will bring you what skiers are saying and what resorts and skiers are doing to ensure my great grandchildren will be enjoying the white fluffy stuff just like I do.