Transcript document

Climate Change Adaptive Strategies
for Ski Resorts: An Idaho Case
Study
Don Reading
Climate Impacts Group
University of Washington
http://www.cses.washington.edu/cig/
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Snow Model
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Adaptive Strategies for three
Ski Areas in Idaho that are
less than 300 kilometers apart
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
‘Local’ Ski Resort 25 km from population base
First New Destination Ski Resort in 25 Years
Oldest Destination Ski Resort in U.S.
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Base and Top Elevations
Ski Area
Bogus Basin
Top Elevation
Base Elevation
Tamarack
Sun Valley
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
Sun Valley
Tamarack
Bogus Basin
Top Elevation
9,150
7,700
7,600
Base Elevation
5,750
4,900
5,800
10,000
Fe e t
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Ski Days 1999-2008
200
Ski Days
180
160
140
120
100
80
1999- 2000- 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 2006- 20072000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Ski Year
Sun Valley
Tamarack
Bogus Basin
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Climate Model Projections of Shortened Ski Season
Ski Season 2 weeks shorter by 2020 and
5 weeks shorter by 2040
Ski Season 1/2 week shorter by 2020 and
2 weeks shorter by 2040
Ski Season 1 week shorter by 2020 and
3 weeks shorter by 2040
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Average Days Rain
Ski Area
Bogus Basin
Tamarack
Sun Valley
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Days
Base
2020
2040
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Climate Change - Impacts on the Tourism Industry in Mountain Areas
Rolf Bürki, Hans Elsasser, Bruno Abegg, 1st International Conference on
Climate Change and Tourism, Djerba, 9-11 April 2003
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
• Ski areas’ profits or losses are determined by New Years Day
• Thanksgiving weekend can make or break a season
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Snow Making
• 139,322 gallons of water for an acre foot of snow
• A ‘typical’ run requires 3 acre feet of water for one foot
of snow
• A ’typical’ run requires 55 tanker loads for one foot of
snow
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
• With humidity at 20% temperature can be as high as 37o F to make snow
• The dryer the better -- night time temperatures are critical
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
• Capital costs vary between $10,000 and $20,000 per acre to be covered
• O&M costs can be as much as 25% of total operating costs
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
• Water availability is the key factor in an area’s ability to make snow
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Current Percent of Runs with Snow Making
1%
10%
78%
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Development of Higher Terrain
Top Elevation 7,600 feet and is at top of mountain
Top Elevation 7,700 feet and is at top of mountain
Top Elevation 9,150 feet, better skiers ‘ski to top’
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Ski Slope Design
2,600 acres; 52 runs; 7 lifts
2,10 acres; 39 runs; 7 lifts
2,064 acres; 75 runs; 21 lifts
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Co-operation
• Crossover Ski Passes
• Coordinate Events/Races
• Pool Financing
• Co-ordinate Advertising
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Alternative to Ski Tourism
Tubing Hill, Additional Condos, Yurt Dinner/Hay
Ride, Summer Convention Center
Full Year-Around Resort
Full Year-Around Resort
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Conclusion
Ski resorts ability to adapt to climate change can vary significantly
even when the resorts are in close proximity to one another and
have geographic similarities. In judging economic impacts and the
ability of ski resorts to take adaptive measures from climate change
cannot be painted with a broad brush. Each areas unique aspects,
where they exist, must me examined in detail in order to accurately
judge the Impact of climate change.
Climate Science in the
Public Interest
Climate Impacts Group
University of Washington
Center for Science in the
Earth System
3737 Brooklyn Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98105
Ph: 206.616.5350
Fax: 206.616.5775
[email protected]
Don Reading, Ph.D.
6070 Hill Road
Boise, ID 83703
Ph: 208.342.1700
Fax: 208.384.1511
[email protected]
Climate Science in the
Public Interest