Shifting the Winter Games earlier by two to three weeks could nearly double the number of climate-reliable Paralympic locations by 2080, with only a modest decrease in Olympic host options, according to the study.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo, the University of Innsbruck, and the University of Toronto conducted the study, examining how climate change affects venue viability and recommending climate-resilience strategies.

The study notes that keeping global warming below two degrees Celsius would expand reliable locations by roughly 24 sites by late century under lower-emission scenarios compared with higher-emission pathways.

A core takeaway is the emphasis on strong involvement of local communities and stakeholders to build shared responsibility and ensure that adaptation frameworks meet community needs and environmental considerations.

Advanced technology, including improved weather prediction, data analytics, and real-time monitoring, can help optimize scheduling and resource management.

The researchers advocate a combined approach of sustainability, community engagement, and technology to keep winter sports events viable and adaptable to changing environmental conditions.

Dr. Daniel Scott and Dr. Robert Steiger highlight practical implications of their models for policy, planning, and the distribution of snow-sport events amid warming.

Snowmaking is a critical adaptation tool; without it, only a handful of venues would be reliable by mid-century, but the study argues against ending snowmaking due to fairness and inclusion concerns, advocating for more sustainable practices.

Key researchers include Daniel Scott and Robert Steiger, with Madeleine Orr as co-author; the work appears in Current Issues in Tourism and informs IOC/IPC planning ahead of future Games.

Context is provided with examples like Innsbruck 2017 avoiding spread-out bids, Beijing 2022 relying on extensive snowmaking, and Milan Cortina 2026 producing about 2.4 million cubic metres of snow.

The study focuses on environmentally friendly infrastructure and energy-efficient technologies to mitigate climate impacts on event viability.

Proposed hosting concepts include regional or multi-country bids, such as Munich with a nearby Austrian city, or a cross-border Quebec-New England arrangement with Montreal/Quebec City and Vermont or New Hampshire, to leverage climate reliability.