Climate change is melting glaciers and reshaping Canada’s winter sports, forcing athletes abroad and raising costs for future Olympians.
Glacier Melt Disrupts Elite Athlete Training
At Canada’s premier ski destination, Horstman Glacier at Whistler Blackcomb, summer 2024 marked the end of an era when the resort officially shut down glacier-camp operations due to unsafe snow conditions. Training camps that once nurtured Olympic champions such as Alex Bilodeau and Cassie Sharpe were cancelled as rising temperatures made lift access and route control untenable.
Athletes Forced Abroad to Maintain Competitive Edge
With Canada’s only accessible summer snow field inactive, Canadian athletes in skiing and snowboarding have been forced to seek training facilities overseas. This shift increases travel costs and compels athletes to live away from home during peak development periods—a significant disruption in their preparation cycles.
A Shrinking Window for Winter Sport Viability
A 2024 study commissioned by the International Olympic Committee found that by the 2050s, only half of the past 21 Winter Olympic host cities will meet climate suitability criteria. As one national federation CEO stated: “Before, there was never a question about December events happening; now it becomes a question every year.”
Safety Mandates Curtail Summer Operations
The decision to close summer skiing at Horstman Glacier was driven by internal assessments by Vail Resorts, noting accelerating glacier melt, diminished snowpack, rockfall hazards and unsafe terrain access. Snow patrols could no longer guarantee safe lift operation in warmer months.
Industry Seeks High-Altitude Solutions Amid High Cost
Grassroots training programs and national federations are exploring solutions such as high-altitude snowmaking and snow-farming techniques (piling and insulating snow to retain it over summer). Despite strong interest, the projected capital and operational costs run into the “astronomical”, according to industry insiders.
Canada’s Sport Identity Under Climate Pressure
For many citizens, winter sport is part of Canada’s national identity. Government sport officials note the dual challenge: protect Canada’s athletes and events, while reducing the carbon footprint associated with artificial snow and glacial engineering. In sum: physical solutions alone won’t resolve a physically changing climate.
