Although this winter began with snowfall also in central Sweden, the trend since the 1980s is clear.

The number of snow days in southern Sweden has halved since the 1970s.

The amount of snow in the Swedish mountains is also decreasing.

But at the top of Norrland's interior, the mountain world's snow covers are so far relatively unaffected by global warming.

There, winter temperatures still fluctuate between minus five and minus fifteen degrees.

In the future, the snow cover may even grow because increased precipitation may paradoxically lead to even more snow in northernmost Sweden. 

The lack of snow in the Alps can benefit Sweden

It has become a strong marketing argument for the Swedish ski industry.

Because in the Alps, the lack of snow has already had serious consequences.

In Italy alone, over 300 ski facilities located at around 1500 meters altitude have been forced to close.

Many old ski resorts stand abandoned or have been forced to convert into a tourist destination for hiking or mountain biking. 

Just like in the Arctic, warming in the Alps is faster than the global average and is already up to two degrees.

The research institute Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research has determined that it snows less and less since measurements began in 1874. 

The financial ruin affecting the Alps has opened a window for Swedish ski tourism.

Sweden is now being marketed internationally as a snow-safer destination than the Alps. 

Ski season cut in half

That was one reason behind the controversial new airport in Sälen, "Scandinavian Mountains Airport".

It faced harsh criticism and was called "a mockery of future winters" when it was inaugurated because it increases air traffic and emissions.

Tourists who want to be able to get to the slopes quickly can fly directly from Copenhagen to Sälen. 

But the Swedish ski industry's commercial chance only extends over a few decades. 

In the long run, many of Sweden's ski resorts will meet the same fate as those in the Alps.

In Sälen, a halved season awaits in the long term with more rain and less snow.

High costs for artificial snow

In many places, the slopes are kept open with the help of artificial snow.

It takes enormous amounts of water and energy to create artificial snow.

In an increasingly warmer Italy, up to 95 percent of all the snow on the ski slopes consists of artificial snow in some years.

The same conditions apply in many of the Swedish ski resorts in southern and central Sweden.

But the costs of artificial snow are increasing with increased electricity prices, and several smaller ski facilities have this autumn expressed concern that energy costs will eat up their profits.

Interest in winter sports is decreasing

The artificial snow also causes great damage to nature, unlike natural snow, it is so densely packed that it suffocates the vegetation. 

So much suggests that future generations will have to say goodbye to ski tourism.

The lack of snow has already led to a decrease in interest in skiing among Swedish youth. 

The lack of snow is certainly not one of the worst consequences of global warming, even if it means that mountain massifs dry out as snow and glaciers disappear.

However, it is a loss, to add to a growing list of other losses, in the wake of the climate crisis.

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How is snow saved during the summer?

In the clip, we explain how it works.

Photo: SVT graphics