European ski resorts fight for future in face of climate change

Climate change has posed severe challenges to European ski resorts, as shorter and less reliable snow cover forces them to adopt costly artificial snowmaking.

Statistics shows that the Alpine snow season in Europe has been shortened by approximately 38 days since the 1970s.

With natural snowfall becoming increasingly unreliable, many ski resorts have installed snow guns to maintain slope conditions.

However, while bearing rising operational costs, ski resorts have still failed to provide the same skiing experience as before.

“Yes, there are some differences. We have noticed the snow is not so good in many years, as it is not so compact, and there is not so much sun sometimes,” said Tiago, a skier at the Sierra Nevada Ski Station in Granada, Spain.

“As the southernmost ski resort in Europe, we have seen more impacts from climate change and rising temperatures. Compared with other resorts in the Pyrenees or the Alps, we have more hours of sunshine. We are very close to the Mediterranean, so we have to manage the water and temperature very well. We have about 550 snow guns that can operate around the clock,” said Paco Leon, head of ski run monitoring and technology at the resort.

In addition, the ski resort has introduced a containerized all-weather snow system this season, which can produce snow at temperatures above freezing.

“With this system, we can guarantee the stable production of snow whether it is sunny, cold, wetter or less,” Leon said.

The higher costs have forced many ski resorts in Europe to diversify their offerings to increase revenue.

For example, Sierra Nevada has launched a mountain bike park, hiking activities, and music festivals in the summer to transform from a winter destination to a four-season mountain resort.

European ski resorts fight for future in face of climate change

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck northwest China’s Gansu Province on Monday afternoon, prompting a swift emergency response and the relocation of hundreds of residents.

The quake jolted Tebo County of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture at 14:56 Beijing Time on Monday, at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

Local authorities reported no casualties, though cracks have been observed in several buildings. 

More than 20,000 residents were temporarily evacuated to safety, while 280 people have been resettled in temporary shelters. 

Key infrastructure, including water, electricity, transportation, and communications, remains operational.

Immediately after the quake, the office of the State Council earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level-IV emergency response. A work group was dispatched to the affected area to support rescue and relief efforts, while provincial rescue teams rushed to the scene.

The Gannan detachment of the People’s Armed Police Force activated its emergency plan, deploying 15 officers with 40 sets of rescue equipment to the disaster area to assess damage and eliminate potential hazards.

By late evening, temperatures in Mari Village had dropped below freezing. Despite the cold and limited lighting, armed police officers continued their work, erecting tents for displaced residents.

“We are working efficiently to set up tents as quickly as possible so that the affected people can have a warm place to stay tonight,” said Hu Yubin from the Gannan detachment of Gansu Corps of the People’s Armed Police Force.

Grateful residents expressed their appreciation to the officers.

“Thank you to the armed police officers for building tents for us. We’re really grateful,” one villager said.

By 23:50 on Monday, the armed police had assisted local authorities in clearing three collapsed road sections, assessing risks for 34 homes in two villages and erecting 20 tents.

At the epicenter in Waqiong Village, Dianga Town, the earthquake caused wall cracks in multiple houses. More than 50 tents were set up to shelter 195 displaced villagers. 

Inside, the tents are equipped with makeshift beds, bedding, and a stove. Emergency supplies such as instant noodles, ham sausages, and bottled water were provided by the government. Local authorities also coordinated with charitable restaurants to provide hot meals, ensuring relocated residents had access to adequate food. Electricity, medical care, and communications remain fully operational at the relocation sites.

Tebo County initiated a level-III emergency response after the earthquake. By 22:00 Monday, over 3,600 personnel, including government officials, police, firefighters, armed police officers, medical staff, had mobilized for a comprehensive search and rescue operation. 

All essential living and heating supplies have been secured, and further relief work is underway.

280 people relocated following 5.5-magnitude earthquake in Gansu