Item: The Economics of Snow in a Changing Climate
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Title: The Economics of Snow in a Changing Climate
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria
Authors:
- Marca Hagenstad [ Hagenstad Consulting, Nederland, Colorado, USA ]
- Elizabeth Burakowski [ University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA ]
- Rebecca Hill [ Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA ]
Date: 2018-10-07
Abstract: The U.S. winter sports industry is an important economic sector, proving jobs and revenues to mountain towns across the country. It has already been impacted by climate change. The results presented here summarize findings in our February 2018 report, The Economic Contributions of Winter Sports in a Changing Climate, published with support from Protect Our Winters (POW) and Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI). In this report we estimate the economic contributions of winter snow sports to reveal the current magnitude of this part of the economy that is highly vulnerable to impacts from climate change. We also examine how economic contributions have decreased in years with less snow between 2001-2016. We modeled how expenditures made in the winter of 2015-16 by downhill skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers rippled through the U.S. economy to add a total of $20.3 billion in economic value. We then examined how skier visits changed with natural snow cover between 2001-2016 and identified strong positive relationships in the majority of US states examined. During years of high snow, participation increased 7% on average and added 11,800 jobs and $692.9 million to the economy. During low snow years, participation decreased 10% on average, resulting in 17,400 fewer jobs and $1 billion less in economic value added compared to average seasons. The research also evaluated how climate change may impact skier values called "consumer surplus," which are values of skiing over and above the costs. Lastly, we discuss the innovative strategies ski resorts are implementing to adapt to warmer, lower snow winters and to mitigate climate impacts in the industry.
Object ID: ISSW2018_O06.6.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: Climate change, snow, economic impact, ski, snowmobile.
Page Number(s): 531-536
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