Presenter(s): Hannah Gerton − Architecture
Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland
Poster 152
Research Area: Natural Science
Increasing global temperatures and decreasing precipitation levels in the United States have caused a rapid decline in the snowpack over the last few decades. Many regions across the country contain economies that depend largely on a reliable climate. With such drastic changes in the cryosphere and the global temperature, challenges arise surrounding winter tourism. Winter sports are known for being a fun pass-time, but the stability created by their profit and job opportunities are often overlooked. Mountainous locations and areas of high elevation depend on winter tourism; it is critical that such areas begin to prepare for climatic changes by adapting to the new environment. As temperature increases, the snowpack declines causing shorter ski seasons in addition to unsuitable conditions at many of the ski resorts. These poor conditions may cause a large drop in ticket sales and tourism earnings. This often forgotten correlation between climate and winter tourism will only worsen as time goes on. Very little research has been done in this field, so it is important to evaluate the areas of risk and determine what preventative steps can be taken in order to avoid further damage to the economies of winter tourism. It is difficult to stop temperature changes, or decreases in the snowpack, however, it is possible to detect trends and predict patterns that allow for proper planning and adaptations. Implementing such adaptations could save countless regions of the U.S. from the loss of winter tourism and its benefits.