Snowmaking in a warmer climate: an in-depth analysis of future water demands for the ski resort Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis (Switzerland) in the twenty-first century

• DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02394-z
• Publication Date: 2022-12-06T01:03:07Z
• Authors: Maria Vorkauf; Robert Steiger; Bruno Abegg; Erika Hiltbrunner
• Keywords: Consumption; Water consumption

Abstract Rising air temperatures threaten the snow reliability of ski resorts. Most resorts rely on technical snowmaking to compensate lacking natural snow. But increased water consumption for may cause conflicts with other sectors’ uses such as hydropower production or hotel industry. We assessed future (likelihood a continuous 100-day skiing season and operable Christmas holidays) Swiss resort Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis throughout twenty-first century, where 65% area is currently equipped snowmaking. Our projections are based most recent climate change scenarios Switzerland (CH2018) model SkiSim 2.0 including module. Unabated greenhouse gas emissions (scenario RCP8.5) will lack at areas below 1800–2000 m asl by mid-twenty-first century. Initially, this can be fully compensated snowmaking, but end results become more nuanced. While provide economically important holidays increasingly risk under high-emission scenario in late The overall high comes cost an demand. total rise 79% century (2070–2099 compared 1981–2010; RCP8.5), implying that new sources have exploited. Future management plans catchment level, embracing stakeholders, could help solve claims region.