Austrian Glaciers Likely to Melt by End of the Century
15th May 2022
Last modified on May 20th, 2022
That’s the stark warning from the head of the World Meteorological Organisation, WMO, as global warming takes its toll. Glacier skiing continues in the Alps this summer but there are worries about for how much longer.
The secretary general of the WMO, Petteri Taalas, said that the melting of glaciers and polar ice will “continue for centuries.”
He said that despite the battle against climate change he “has no more hope for the Austrian glaciers.”
He made his comments to the Austrian media, but he also said he remains cautiously optimistic about the global efforts to limit climate change following the 2021 Glasgow climate conference.
He said the melting of glaciers will raise the sea level threaten some coastal areas.
He also warned that glaciers in Switzerland will melt to 5% of their current size by the end of the 21st century.
Mont Fort glacier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
This summer there will be skiing on the glaciers of Hintertux in Austria, plus Zermatt in Switzerland.
The two ski areas are open year-round.
Hintertux, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
Tignes and Val d’Isere are expected to open their glacier ski areas over the summer once again.
Les2Alpes in France will also open its glacier for part of the summer.
Looking up to the glacier at Les2Alpes, France – photo © PlanetSKI
The summer season starts on 28th May in Les 2 Alpes in the Isère region.
This is the first time that the resort has opened so early, and it will be the only glacier open for skiing in France at this time.
Les2Alpes has Europe’s largest skiable glacier.
SATA, the lift company, has been carrying out some work in the snowpark.
A boardercross has been built for summer training and to host international competitions.
A smaller boardercross has also been shaped for families, along with a green slope between the boardercross and the snowpark.
The glacier area is set to shut on 15th August.
PlanetSKI was last summer glacier skiing in Les2Alpes back in 2017.
Related Articles:
- Climate change threatens Swiss glaciers
- Summer glacier protection continues
- Covering glaciers: An expensive way of preventing the ice melting
Image c/o PlanetSKI
