In Copenhagen, Denmark, approximately 10,000 skiers participate in 'dry skiing' annually at CopenHill, a unique urban ski slope built atop a waste-to-energy plant. Opened in 2019, this facility features a 400-meter synthetic slope designed to mimic snow conditions, attracting both locals and tourists eager to ski year-round.
As the world faces the impacts of climate change, traditional ski resorts are experiencing shorter snow seasons. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports a reduction of over 15 days in the snow season since 1955. A recent study predicts that by 2050, the demand for artificial snow production may increase by 55% to 97% due to diminishing natural snowfall.
Resorts like Tremblant in Quebec have invested significantly in dry slopes as an alternative to unpredictable weather patterns. The rise of dry skiing, which began in the 1950s, is being revitalized with over 1,000 dry slopes now operational worldwide, largely due to changing climate conditions.
Experts suggest that dry slopes could be key to maintaining skiing as a viable sport in the future, especially in regions with lower altitudes where natural snow cover is becoming less reliable. As skiers adapt to these artificial surfaces, there is growing interest in their potential to enhance skiing skills and prolong the skiing season.