The three Swiss winter sports resorts of Davos, Scuol and Braunwald were chosen as regions for the study. An analysis of the value added in the Davos community showed that losses of up to 10% in regional aggregate income could occur in Davos as a result of winters with poor snow cover if artificial snow-making systems were not used. Guest surveys indicated that while guaranteed snow was an important factor in the choice of destination, it was not the sole factor. According to the study reliable snow conditions are increasingly seen by guests as a basic offer that is taken for granted.
Water consumption for snow-making is considerable compared with the energy consumption involved. According to the researchers it accounts for up to 30% of the total amount of water consumed in the regions covered by the study. What's more, future possibilities for snow-making are set to diminish considerably according to the study's regional climate scenarios, which predict temperature increases.
Source, information and to download the study: www.wsl.ch/forschung/forschungsprojekte (de/en)