AP PHOTOS: Snow is a no-show as Europe feels the winter heat
AP PHOTOS: Snow is a no-show as Europe feels the winter heat
FILE - People ski on a cross country slope in Ramsau, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - An artificial snow slope created for skiers in Wildhaus, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. The Swiss alps are confronted with a lack of snow and warm temperatures. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP, File)
FILE - Michael Hayboeck of Austria soars through the air at the fourth stage of 71th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People ski up the slope on the Draxlhang in the Brauneck ski area using a T-bar lift in Lenggries, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. It has caused headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white this time of year. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP, File)
FILE - General view over the ski track with only a few patches of snow on Bjelasnica mountain near Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut, File)
FILE - Women walk on a patch of melting artificial snow in Vlasic, a ski resort affected by unusual warm weather in Bosnia, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. The exceptional wintertime warmth is affecting ski resorts across Bosnia, prompting tourism authorities in parts of the country to consider declaring a state of natural emergency. (AP Photo/Almir Alic, File)
FILE - A man practices nordic skiing despite the lack of snow in La Feclaz, near Chambery, in the French Alps, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - People ski on a cross country slope in Ramsau, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People ski on a slope near Schladming, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - A ski lift is closed temporarily due to the lack of snow in Le Revard, near Aix-les-Bains, in the French Alps, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - People ride the chair lift above the ski track without any snow on Bjelasnica mountain near Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut, File)
FILE - View of a closed ski slope at a ski resort near Liberec, Czech Republic, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Due to the recent warm weather mountains across Europe suffer from unusual lack of snow. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
FILE - The ‘Bergisl’ ski-jumping hills in Innsbruck, Austria, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. It has caused headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white this time of year. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - A young boy crosses a meadow with snow at a slope in Filzmoos south of Salzburg, Austria, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People walk across a slope in Filzmoos, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People skiing on a slope of artificial snow in Wildhaus, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. The Swiss alps are confronted with a lack of snow and warm temperatures. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP, File)
FILE - Maximilian Steiner of Austria soars through the air over a snowless landscape at the fourth stage of the 71th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - Competitors inspect the small strip of snow where they will compete in an alpine ski, men’s World Cup slalom race, in Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Much of the Alps just don’t look right for this time of year. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm winter weather in Europe’s central mountains are allowing grass to blanket hillsides across the region, causing headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati, File)
FILE - A ski lift is closed temporarily due to the lack of snow in Le Revard, near Aix-les-Bains, in the French Alps, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - View of a closed ski slope at a ski resort near Liberec, Czech Republic, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Due to the recent warm weather mountains across Europe suffer from unusual lack of snow. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
FILE - Alpine peaks which would normally be covered by snow are seen above the village of Naklo, Slovenia, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. It has caused headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white this time of year. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
FILE - People ski on a cross country slope in Ramsau, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People ski on a cross country slope in Ramsau, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - An artificial snow slope created for skiers in Wildhaus, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. The Swiss alps are confronted with a lack of snow and warm temperatures. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP, File)
FILE - An artificial snow slope created for skiers in Wildhaus, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. The Swiss alps are confronted with a lack of snow and warm temperatures. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP, File)
FILE - Michael Hayboeck of Austria soars through the air at the fourth stage of 71th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - Michael Hayboeck of Austria soars through the air at the fourth stage of 71th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People ski up the slope on the Draxlhang in the Brauneck ski area using a T-bar lift in Lenggries, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. It has caused headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white this time of year. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP, File)
FILE - People ski up the slope on the Draxlhang in the Brauneck ski area using a T-bar lift in Lenggries, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. It has caused headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white this time of year. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP, File)
FILE - General view over the ski track with only a few patches of snow on Bjelasnica mountain near Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut, File)
FILE - General view over the ski track with only a few patches of snow on Bjelasnica mountain near Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut, File)
FILE - Women walk on a patch of melting artificial snow in Vlasic, a ski resort affected by unusual warm weather in Bosnia, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. The exceptional wintertime warmth is affecting ski resorts across Bosnia, prompting tourism authorities in parts of the country to consider declaring a state of natural emergency. (AP Photo/Almir Alic, File)
FILE - Women walk on a patch of melting artificial snow in Vlasic, a ski resort affected by unusual warm weather in Bosnia, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. The exceptional wintertime warmth is affecting ski resorts across Bosnia, prompting tourism authorities in parts of the country to consider declaring a state of natural emergency. (AP Photo/Almir Alic, File)
FILE - A man practices nordic skiing despite the lack of snow in La Feclaz, near Chambery, in the French Alps, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - A man practices nordic skiing despite the lack of snow in La Feclaz, near Chambery, in the French Alps, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - People ski on a cross country slope in Ramsau, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People ski on a cross country slope in Ramsau, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People ski on a slope near Schladming, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People ski on a slope near Schladming, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - A ski lift is closed temporarily due to the lack of snow in Le Revard, near Aix-les-Bains, in the French Alps, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - A ski lift is closed temporarily due to the lack of snow in Le Revard, near Aix-les-Bains, in the French Alps, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - People ride the chair lift above the ski track without any snow on Bjelasnica mountain near Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut, File)
FILE - People ride the chair lift above the ski track without any snow on Bjelasnica mountain near Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut, File)
FILE - View of a closed ski slope at a ski resort near Liberec, Czech Republic, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Due to the recent warm weather mountains across Europe suffer from unusual lack of snow. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
FILE - View of a closed ski slope at a ski resort near Liberec, Czech Republic, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Due to the recent warm weather mountains across Europe suffer from unusual lack of snow. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
FILE - The ‘Bergisl’ ski-jumping hills in Innsbruck, Austria, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. It has caused headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white this time of year. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - The ‘Bergisl’ ski-jumping hills in Innsbruck, Austria, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. It has caused headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white this time of year. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - A young boy crosses a meadow with snow at a slope in Filzmoos south of Salzburg, Austria, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - A young boy crosses a meadow with snow at a slope in Filzmoos south of Salzburg, Austria, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People walk across a slope in Filzmoos, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People walk across a slope in Filzmoos, Austria, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - People skiing on a slope of artificial snow in Wildhaus, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. The Swiss alps are confronted with a lack of snow and warm temperatures. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP, File)
FILE - People skiing on a slope of artificial snow in Wildhaus, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. The Swiss alps are confronted with a lack of snow and warm temperatures. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP, File)
FILE - Maximilian Steiner of Austria soars through the air over a snowless landscape at the fourth stage of the 71th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - Maximilian Steiner of Austria soars through the air over a snowless landscape at the fourth stage of the 71th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - Competitors inspect the small strip of snow where they will compete in an alpine ski, men’s World Cup slalom race, in Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Much of the Alps just don’t look right for this time of year. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm winter weather in Europe’s central mountains are allowing grass to blanket hillsides across the region, causing headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati, File)
FILE - Competitors inspect the small strip of snow where they will compete in an alpine ski, men’s World Cup slalom race, in Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Much of the Alps just don’t look right for this time of year. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm winter weather in Europe’s central mountains are allowing grass to blanket hillsides across the region, causing headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati, File)
FILE - A ski lift is closed temporarily due to the lack of snow in Le Revard, near Aix-les-Bains, in the French Alps, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - A ski lift is closed temporarily due to the lack of snow in Le Revard, near Aix-les-Bains, in the French Alps, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - View of a closed ski slope at a ski resort near Liberec, Czech Republic, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Due to the recent warm weather mountains across Europe suffer from unusual lack of snow. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
FILE - View of a closed ski slope at a ski resort near Liberec, Czech Republic, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Due to the recent warm weather mountains across Europe suffer from unusual lack of snow. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
FILE - Alpine peaks which would normally be covered by snow are seen above the village of Naklo, Slovenia, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. It has caused headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white this time of year. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
FILE - Alpine peaks which would normally be covered by snow are seen above the village of Naklo, Slovenia, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Sparse snowfall and unseasonably warm weather in much of Europe is allowing green grass to blanket many mountaintops across the region where snow might normally be. It has caused headaches for ski slope operators and aficionados of Alpine white this time of year. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
RAMSAU, Austria (AP) — Mild weather has left many regions of Europe that would normally be blanketed in snow at this time of year bare, and winter sports resorts are fearing for the future.
Many are using snow machines to make artificial pistes, leaving thin white lines snaking through otherwise green and brown landscapes.
In the Swiss village of Adelboden, organizers of Saturday’s ski World Cup race grappled with above-freezing temperatures to ensure athletes could compete in the popular event while spectators basked in the blazing sunshine.
Experts say this season’s lack of snow offers a glimpse of winters to come, as global temperatures keep rising due to human-caused climate change.
The impact is likely to be felt far beyond the regional tourist industry. Winter snow in European mountains such as the Alps is an important natural water store for parts of a continent that’s already suffering regular droughts the rest of the year.
