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

Title data

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 December 2025) . - pp. 1-32.
ISSN 1747-7646
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2025.2571957

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

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

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Keywords:	Carbon footprint; LCA; snow depot; snow production; technical snow; winter tourism; winter sports; snow farming
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Sport Science Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Sport Science > Chair Sport Ecology Research Institutions > Central research institutes > Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research- BayCEER
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	500 Science > 550 Earth sciences, geology 500 Science > 580 Plants (Botany) 700 Arts and recreation > 790 Sports, games, entertainment
Date Deposited:	10 Dec 2025 07:04
Last Modified:	10 Dec 2025 07:04
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/95411