x
Breaking News
More () »

The PNW is going to be a 'different place': Mount Hood resorts grappling with climate change

Scientists, meteorologists and ski resort employees all agree: Climate change could have devastating effects on the winter sports industry.

Maggie Vespa

Play Video

Close Video

Published: 2:54 PM PDT October 4, 2019
Updated: 5:30 AM PDT October 7, 2019

In recent years, headlines across the country have started shedding light on the effect climate change could have on the $20 billion winter sports industry.

They cite erratic snowfall totals and weak starts to the ski season in world-famous hubs like Vail, Colorado. 

In fact, according to a letter published by researchers at the University of Arizona, between 1982 and 2016, the snow season across the western half of the US decreased by an average of 34 days. 

The amount of snow in the west has seen an average drop of 41 percent. 

We spoke with a scientist, a meteorologist and a ski resort at Mount Hood to see how winter sports will be affected in coming years. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out