Climate change might not seem like the immediate obstacle for Utah’s Winter Olympics plans—yet, a new scientific assessment reveals it could pose a significant challenge sooner than expected. And this is the part most people miss: while Utah currently ranks among the most reliable locations globally for hosting winter sports, future climate projections suggest that by the 2080s, it could become increasingly unsuitable, raising questions about the longevity and sustainability of hosting future Games here.
In 2024, a comprehensive climate change study, supported by the International Olympic Committee and co-authored by Professor Daniel Scott from the University of Waterloo, emphasizes Utah's current advantage: it is one of the few places worldwide that can still reliably produce snow and maintain cold temperatures conducive to winter sporting events. But the study also warns that, without significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions, this advantage might vanish by the end of the century.
According to Scott, only a handful of locations will remain suitable for Olympic-level winter sports by the late 2080s, with Lake Louise in Canada being the only North American site expected to stay reliably cold enough for consistent snow conditions. While other European high-altitude venues and a Japanese location are also anticipated to remain viable, specific site details were kept confidential at the IOC’s request.
This raises a provocative question: could Utah still host the Olympics in 2050 or even 2080? Fraser Bullock, head of Utah’s organizing committee for the 2034 Winter Games, believes that with strategic adjustments—like shifting the schedule or modifying the venues—hosting may still be feasible. For instance, starting the Paralympics earlier or relocating some events to higher elevation sites could mitigate climate risks. Bullock emphasizes Utah’s readiness to participate in a rotating Olympic cycle, considering its existing infrastructure and history with the Games.
The study, conducted alongside Austrian climate researcher Robert Steiger, projects that by the 2050s, only about 45 of the 93 studied global sites will have dependable snow and cold during February. Fast forward to the 2080s, and the number shrinks to just 30. Even if the international community succeeds in meeting the Paris Climate Agreement goals—aiming to limit emissions—roughly half of these locations could still be suitable in the mid-21st century, dropping further by century’s end.
For Utah, the landscape can become more uncertain for the 2034 Games and beyond, especially for events scheduled in March, when conditions are typically colder and more reliable. Soldier Hollow—a venue used during the 2002 Winter Olympics—might face unreliable snow conditions by the 2080s, especially under high greenhouse gas scenarios. Meanwhile, Snowbasin, Utah’s premier alpine skiing site, could maintain its reliability only if emissions are kept low.
To prepare for unpredictable future conditions, Utah’s organizers have historically stockpiled snow and have contingency plans to adapt, such as bringing in snow from higher, colder elevations—a practice proven successful during the 2002 Games. They also consider shifting the start date of the Games to earlier in the winter season, aiming to avoid environmental issues like winter inversions that trap cold, polluted air in the valleys.
Beyond Utah, the impact of climate change on winter sports is already evident. Recent years have seen Utah struggle with record high temperatures and low snowfalls, forcing international competitions like the Freestyle Ski World Cup to be relocated to regions like Lake Placid, New York, which has a rich Olympic history dating back to the 1930s and 1980s. Some U.S. states, including New York, are even contemplating future bids to bring the Winter Olympics back, driven partly by climate concerns.
So, what does all this mean for the future of winter sports and the Olympics? Will we see lasting hostcities in places like Utah, or will climate realities force a new way of planning—perhaps away from traditional mountain venues towards more adaptable or even multinational arrangements? The possibility of a rotation model, where the Games continually move among a set of pre-approved sites, has already been discussed within the IOC but remains uncertain. As the world grapples with climate change, the question is: should we bet on existing winter favorites, or start thinking far beyond the traditional venues?
What’s your take? Do you believe Utah can still be a reliable Winter Olympics host in the coming decades, or is climate change making such ambitions unrealistic? Drop your thoughts in the comments—your perspective could shed light on the future of winter sports amid a warming world.
