The first snow had already fallen. Until the foehn swept it off the mountain peaks. The white base was wiped out, forcing the ski resorts and us to postpone the start of the season or help it along with artificial snow. Sometimes it works, but not always. Is anthropogenic climate change the reason for this?
Climate change or dry spells?
Not always. Variability also plays a role. Very simple fluctuations in the climate: sometimes there is more snow in the northern Alps, sometimes in the southern Alps. Sometimes in Europe, sometimes in North America. It has always been like this and will remain so. However, it is impossible to say exactly how climate change will affect winters. We already know that the glaciers are losing mass and the winter seems to be getting shorter. In a way, this will change our sport. The white ribbons of artificial snow that currently characterize the Alps confirm exactly that. So is our beloved powder under threat? The powder that flies around our noses and lets us glide softly - as if on clouds - over the slopes?
Awareness-raising first and foremost
Snowboard pro Jeremy Jones wants to prevent this at all costs. That's why he founded the Protect our Winters (POW) initiative in 2007. He set himself the goal of mobilizing the winter sports community so that every winter sports enthusiast would stand up for winter and its associated passions without further endangering the climate. POW stands for an alliance of professional riders who work together to protect the climate. Supporters include riders such as Pep Fujas, Nicolas Müller, Caroline Gleich, Angel Collinson and Danny Davis. They focus on educational work and regional projects to reach people directly on the ground and raise awareness of climate change.