Can Ticino’s ski resorts survive a warming climate?

This is once again a difficult winter for Swiss ski resorts, with reports of low snowfalls in some regions. Resorts in southern Switzerland have been particularly hit hard. Snow levels in canton Ticino are among the lowest in years. The resorts where Swiss champions such as Doris De Agostini and Lara Gut-Behrami once learned to ski are now struggling to stay afloat. Cari is a ski area located at 1,650-2,300 metres altitude. Until recently – even in early January – large parts of the slopes were green. Resort managers are now examining whether to introduce short-time working for employees. Further up the valley, the situation is similar in Airolo, where the ski area is at roughly the same altitude as Carì. Insufficient snow has meant that only a limited number of pistes can be groomed and opened. The resort has already applied to the canton for short-time working for its 40 employees. The season also got off to a poor start over the Christmas period in the Blenio Valley and in ...