Is the Winter Olympics Doomed? Shocking Data Reveals Climate Crisis Could End It by 2030!

By Sol Moyano, The Invading Sea

As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, scheduled to ignite excitement in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, there is growing concern about how climate change may alter the games. Since Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics 70 years ago, average temperatures have risen markedly, posing challenges to the traditional winter sports that capture global attention.

A recent report from Climate Central, a nonprofit organization that conducts research on climate-related issues, reveals disconcerting statistics: Cortina d’Ampezzo experiences 41 fewer freezing days annually compared to the time of the 1956 Games. “The possibility of having Winter Olympics is literally melting away,” warns Kaitlyn Trudeau, a senior research associate for climate science at Climate Central.

As climate conditions worsen, the implications are significant. Forecasts suggest that during the February 2026 Olympics, there is a 50-60% chance of above-average temperatures, escalating to a 60-70% chance in March. This is alarming for a location that traditionally relies on natural snow. For this year’s games, more than 3 million cubic yards of artificial snow will be necessary, even with the high altitude of the Italian Alps.

The impact of warming winters extends beyond Italy. In the United States, ski resorts have reported approximately $5 billion in losses due to shortened ski seasons over the past two decades. “They’re having to invest in artificial snowmaking, which has its own environmental impacts in terms of the amount of water that it uses,” notes Ben Tracy, senior climate correspondent for Climate Central. With Utah scheduled to host the Winter Olympics in 2034, the state too must reevaluate its capacity to accommodate such events as snow decreases and temperatures rise.

“I don’t think we’re going to see a Winter Olympic Games in Utah in 2034,” states Rocky Anderson, former mayor of Salt Lake City, in a Climate Central video. The changing climate has already forced athletes to seek reliable training facilities, posing safety risks and concerns over competitive fairness due to the use of artificial snow.

In a bid to address these issues, some athletes are advocating for a shift away from fossil fuel dependence. Notably, Norwegian skier Nikolai Schirmer has initiated a petition called “Ski Fossil Free,” aiming to persuade the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to sever ties with fossil fuel sponsors, including Italian energy giant ENI. “He’s going to be delivering that petition that he has folks signing to the IOC directly,” explains Graham Zimmerman, a professional alpine climber and signatory. “Divestment campaigns have shown to be successful in the past.”

Trudeau emphasizes that the ramifications of climate change extend well beyond sports, impacting the economy and environment at large. “Warming winters have so many more impacts than just on sports,” she states. The connection between climate change and the viability of the Winter Olympics offers a stark reminder of the urgent need for action.

As the world gears up for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the overarching question remains: Can these beloved winter sports survive in a warming climate? The stakes are higher than ever—both for athletes and for the future of the games themselves.