Despite this year’s early ski season, data shows decades of decreasing ski-season lengths and scant snow ahead, forcing ski resorts and destinations to turn their off-peak seasons into adventure travel experiences.
According to euronews.com, the winter skiing season is down by an average of 34 days compared to previous decades, and booking skiing trips has become a challenge due to unpredictable climate conditions.
Many ski resorts are now using artificial snow generators and snow cannons to cover this increasing shortfall, reports the Swiss Lift Operators Association. This includes 90% of the slopes in Italy, 70% in Austria and 53% in Switzerland.
Switzerland's ski town, Grindlewald, is now an adventure travel hub and popular summer destination, as it boasts a variety of thrill-seeking activities during its off-season.
The town now offers paragliding, mountain biking trails, hiking trails, zip lines and motorless mountain carts to entertain travellers as the snowy season thins.
In Morzine in the French Alps, a luxury chalet company, Alikats, is adapting to the changing season by offering off-season retreats encouraging wellness and personal growth. The retreats, in spring, summer and autumn, provide guests with catered accommodation and activities such as hiking, foraging and lake swims.
Big-name ski resort Verbier in Switzerland is also leaning into snowless activities, including guided nature walks, cooking classes and e-bike hires to explore the mountains.
