Travis Ganong, a member of the U.S. ski team who grew up near the slopes in Lake Tahoe, California, has expressed the impact of our changing planet on snow conditions in their favorite venues.
“I’m just worried about a future where there’s no more snow. And without snow, there’s no more skiing, so this is very near and dear to me,” said Ganong.
The Winter Olympics, launched in 1924 in Chamonix, France, held 16 outdoor events that were witnessed by 10,004 enthusiastic spectators. In 2022, the Winter Games were held in Beijing, featuring over 100 events, and watched by an astounding 300 million people worldwide.
Despite the odds, the games took place, but not without the use of artificial snow on ski runs and refrigeration systems for ski jumps and luge tracks.
Unfortunately, as global temperatures rise, many locations suitable for hosting the Winter Olympics are becoming increasingly unviable. This trend poses a serious threat to the future of snow sports and the next generation of Olympians who may never fall in love with these activities. Ski resorts worldwide are already suffering or under threat due to the impact of climate change.
Enthusiasts worldwide are deeply saddened by the devastating effects of rising temperatures, and many are searching for ways to make a difference. The U.S. ski team has taken a bold step to raise awareness through their race suits.
At the world championships in February, the U.S. team unveiled their new race suits. The unique feature of these suits is the imagery based on satellite photos of icebergs with chunks floating into the ocean. This powerful design draws attention to the impact of climate change and its effect on our planet.
“Although a race suit is not solving climate change, it is a move to continue the conversation and show that U.S. Ski & Snowboard and its athletes are committed to being a part of the future,” Sophie Goldschmidt, president, and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard told ESPN.