Report on weather and climate services for ski resorts supports winter sports
Geneva, Switzerland (WMO) - The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) have issued a joint report on Weather and Climate Services for Ski Resorts to support the winter sports and tourism industry at a time of rising temperatures and more uncertain snow conditions.
Decisions across ski facility operations - from opening lifts the next morning to scheduling snow sports events, planning for the following season or investing in infrastructure intended to last for decades – are shaped by weather, snow and climate conditions. As the climate changes, reliable information is increasingly important for managing immediate operational risks, seasonal variability and longer-term adaptation of the tourism sector and, indeed, entire mountain communities.
“This report provides a comprehensive resource on weather and climate services for ski areas, bringing together information on observed and projected changes in weather, climate, snow and ice; the services and information available to support decision-making; and their application across operational, seasonal and long-term planning horizons,” said Susanna Sieff, FIS Sustainability Director, and Daniel Kull, WMO Director of Development Partnerships and Programme Delivery in the foreword.
Weather and Climate Services for Ski Resorts was produced as part of an ongoing partnership between WMO and FIS to raise awareness of the current and future effects of our changing climate on ecosystems, communities and outdoor activities, based on the latest observations, projections and research. In addition to the full report, there is also a shorter, practical resource guide explaining what types of information are useful and where they can be obtained.
WMO experts presented the report, along with seasonal predictions for the forthcoming winter, on 3 November at FIS Sustainability Webinar series event. It comes at the start of the 2026/2027 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, which kicked off on 24-25 October in Sölden, Austria. During the 2025/2026 season, weather conditions forced the cancellation of 25 Ski World Cup races, according to an internal calculation by FIS.