Life cycle assessment of snow farming : a case study on climate change adaptation of cross-country skiing centers in Germany

Titelangaben

Schmitt, Lilli ; Haßlacher, Sarah ; Audorff, Volker ; Fröhling, Magnus:
Life cycle assessment of snow farming : a case study on climate change adaptation of cross-country skiing centers in Germany.
In: Journal of Sustainable Tourism. (8 Dezember 2025) . - S. 1-32.
ISSN 1747-7646
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2025.2571957

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Abstract

Snow farming secures early-season training on-snow and competitions for cross-country skiing disciplines under accelerating climate change and variability. Snow technically produced under favorable conditions in the preceding season is stored and covered over summer until the following season. Lacking scientific research, this is the first study addressing its resource consumption and impact. The environmental impact, including its carbon footprint, is quantified in a life cycle assessment (LCA) for two study sites. In the reference year 2022, over 90% impact affect the LCA category damage to human health ahead of damage to ecosystems and to resource availability. Fossil-fuelled processes, associated machinery and cover materials identify as primary drivers, also for global warming potential. Uncertainty regarding water resources and data constraints limit the findings. Practically applied, greenhouse gas emissions (in CO2) per local training session on farmed snow are exceeded by alternatives based on air travel. This partly confirms the viability for professional sports with transferable implications for tourism. Touristic interest encompasses traveling of athletes, recreationists and spectators to destinations, event hosting, shared use models and application of snow farming in the wider touristic context. Overall, site-specific characteristics determine the adaptive potential, needing critical consideration upon implementation to avoid rebound effects and maladaptation. Snow farming, common in (elite) cross-country skiing disciplines, is analyzed for its environmental impact, that mainly affects the LCA category damage to human healthFossil fuel consumption for machinery works is the strongest impact driver ahead of publicly criticized snow production, while benefiting of renewable energy and cover material reuseLCA results are combined with insights of professional sports and training scenarios to support decision-makingData-based approach advances the assessment of snow farming as an adaptation measure, indicates optimization potential and (environmental) limitsDecision-making needs consideration of sites? prerequisites (e.g., electricity grid) and adaptive potential, opportunity cost of alternatives and risk of maladaptation Snow farming, common in (elite) cross-country skiing disciplines, is analyzed for its environmental impact, that mainly affects the LCA category damage to human health Fossil fuel consumption for machinery works is the strongest impact driver ahead of publicly criticized snow production, while benefiting of renewable energy and cover material reuse LCA results are combined with insights of professional sports and training scenarios to support decision-making Data-based approach advances the assessment of snow farming as an adaptation measure, indicates optimization potential and (environmental) limits Decision-making needs consideration of sites? prerequisites (e.g., electricity grid) and adaptive potential, opportunity cost of alternatives and risk of maladaptation