Two Futures for NH Climate and Skiing
A 30 percent reduction in snowmaking days for NH ski areas, or a 50 percent cut. Deep snow cover for about 50 days or less than 30 (the current average is about 100). Winter precipitation falling as rain, or as snow. These are the outcomes tied to two possible climate pathways for New Hampshire: one in which the world warms roughly 4.3 degrees Fahrenheit from pre-industrial levels, and one in which it warms roughly 7.7 degrees. For NH ski areas, especially those in southern and low-altitude areas, and those that lack the funds to pay for frequent snowmaking and trail maintenance, the lower emissions scenario still spells trouble. But experts say there is a world of difference between 4.3 and 7.7 degrees of warming. Landing on the lower emissions pathway would mean saving more of the cold, snowy winters that NH skiing depends on.
Projected NH Average Winter Temperatures in Low and High-Emissions Scenarios
(Courtesy of Dr. Mary Stampone)
“Look at the difference between those two scenarios. And again, we still have time. And I think that’s the important part of this. We’re not at the end of the road here. We still have time to make the changes that can reduce the amount we need to adapt to, compared to the worst-case scenario.”
– Dr. Mary Stampone, NH State Climatologist
“Winter recreation and tourism, and particularly skiing, has really big economic value to rural and mountain towns. So it’s not just people not being able to go skiing, it’s also the ripple effects that that has across the whole economy for everyone.”
– Dr. Alix Contosta, UNH Professor and Ecosystem Ecologist
“If we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we see mountains retaining snowpack and maintaining the number of days that they can make snow for their resorts. But those challenging years like 2023, they’re gonna remain. It’s part of our future, and we need to grapple with that.”
– Dr. Elizabeth Burakowski, UNH Professor and Climate Scientist
“I think [the difference between these two pathways is] the difference between people choosing to do other things besides ski.”
– Jessyca Keeler, President, Ski NH