Climate adapted Resort 2040

This pilot project investigated the challenges facing the Norwegian ski industry due to climate change, resulting in less and less snow for the ski resort's daily operations. As climate change affects the different global sectors, especially ski resorts and the ski-industry has to deal with the issues arising from climate change. Given the dependence, both culturally and economically, the ski resorts and the ski industry in Norway has, the challenges of dealing with the decreasing snow in ski resorts can have different dimensions compared to other areas. For example, in 2018 there are more than 200 ski resorts in Norway, and only about 10 of these are in operation during the summer seasons. The remaining ski resorts have a high income potential during periods of little or no snow. If the resorts do not adapt to climate change and new markets, this will have major negative socio-economic effects for entire communities. For this pilot project, the all year tourist destination Beitostølen Resort, was selected as a case study. The main purpose of this pilot project was to identify the challenges facing the Norwegian ski-industry due to climate change, seen from both the industry stakeholders and the market. The secondary objectives included: To understand the impact of climate change on ski-resorts with analysis of existing data. Understanding the challenges and opportunities for the ski industry due to reduced snow, and how this is perceived by the world's largest tourist market; the Asian tourist market. Understand the challenges and opportunities for the ski industry due to reduced snow, and how this is perceived and addressed by the industry stakeholders Results of the studies in the Pre-project: Climate change at Norwegian ski resorts, and Beitostølen in particular, is characterized by warmer climates and thus less snowfall and more rainfall during the winter. At best, for the winter of 2040 there will be a medium temperature increase of + 1.2 degrees Celsius and 20% more rain- or snowfall. This can result in increased amounts of snow throughout parts of the winter, while more of this will be rain instead of snow. At worst, the medium temperature rise will be 2.8 degrees Celsius and no change in rain- or snowfall amounts. This will mean that even more of the expected snowfall will be in the form of rain, which in turn will create major challenges for the operation of the ski resort. The best-case scenario will end up in 10% less ski days compared to the 2018 baseline scenario, and the worst-case scenario will result in about half the amount of ski days per year at Beitostølen Resort. Challenges and Opportunities Identified by the Asian Tourist Market: The largest tourist market is from Asia, and it is expected to increase further according to various economic indicators. Thus, potential methods for adapting to the lucrative Asian tourism market have been explored in today's pilot project. To investigate the Asian market's interest in Norwegian ski resorts, the largest tourist market in Asia, China, was selected. Employing non-probability sampling method of snowballing approach, representatives of 5 travel agents in Shanghai were contacted for their opinions on challenges and opportunities of Norwegian ski industry when trying to host the Chinese visitors. Challenges and opportunities identified at Beitostølen: A workshop at Beitostølen Resort, identified the challenges and opportunities this destination faces due to less snow in the winter. The destination's key people were asked about everything from "what are the most important activities", "the most important facilities", "what are the most resource-consuming activities and facilities to maintain at Beitostølen" Etc. The most interesting result of this survey is probably how important guided mountain hikes, and the activities around these, are considered by the employees at Beitostølen. Since this is a low resource demanding activity, this clearly indicates the potential for a year-round activity for most ski resorts in Norway. The pilot study identified the challenges and opportunities that Norwegian ski resorts face due to the forecast of climate change in 2040. Both from the industry as well as from the Asian, and especially the Chinese, market. The findings highlight an urgent need for coordinated research efforts to address the sustainable development of the ski industry and activities in ski resorts in Norway. For the development of the Norwegian ski industry and the cooperation between the stakeholders, there is a need for more stakeholders from the ski industry to be part of a research and industry collaboration. A larger team of collaborators will make it possible to find good and sustainable solutions, managing the increasing effects of climate change on Norwegian resorts. The pilot project has uncovered concrete challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed in a more comprehensive research project.

Prosjektet har fått en bedre og vitenskapelig forståelse av klimaendringenes innvirkning på norske skianlegg ved hjelp av analyser av nye og eksisterende data. Prosjektet har fått et godt grunnlag for å se videre på ulike utfordringer og muligheter for norsk ski-industri dersom kortere vinter med redusert snø, og hvordan dette oppfattes av verdens største turistmarked; det asiatiske turistmarkedet. Vi har en bedre forståelse av de utfordringer og muligheter norsk ski-industri har på grunn av redusert snø, og hvordan dette oppfattes og behandles av interessentene i bransjen

With increasing speed of climate change, Norwegian winter activities within the tourism industry has seen less and less snow over decades. If the climate change continues, even at a slower rate, one is left to cast a fundamental question: will there be enough snow by 2040 for the Norwegian ski industry to offer the same activities and experiences to the tourists? It is a modest estimate to state that all winter destinations and ski industry in Norway will be faced with the environment where there is less snow to rely on as their essential base for operation by 2040. We are in urgent need for a sustainable solution. For the purpose of the pilot project, Beitostølen Resort and Eidfjord Resort will be the case for our activities. As of 2018, there are more than 200 ski resorts in Norway and only around 10 are in operation during summer seasons. The remaining resorts have a high income potential during periods of little or no snow. If the resorts do not adapt to climate change and new markets, this will have major negative socio-economic impacts on local communities. Collecting and analyzing the data from both the workshops and the research, will result in a proposal for the main project (e.g., BIA). The aim in the main project will be to find concrete solutions that can be used and implemented across ski resorts in all of Norway, to make them all year "climate adapted resorts 2040"