Life cycle assessment of snow farming: a case study on climate change adaptation of cross-country skiing centers in Germany

Snow farming secures early-season training on-snow and competitions for cross-country skiing disciplines under accelerating climate change and variability. Snow technically produced under favorable conditions in the preceding season is stored and covered over summer until the following season. Lacking scientific research, this is the first study addressing its resource consumption and impact. The environmental impact, including its carbon footprint, is quantified in a life cycle assessment (LCA) for two study sites. In the reference year 2022, over 90% impact affect the LCA category damage to human health ahead of damage to ecosystems and to resource availability. Fossil-fuelled processes, associated machinery and cover materials identify as primary drivers, also for global warming potential. Uncertainty regarding water resources and data constraints limit the findings. Practically applied, greenhouse gas emissions (in CO2) per local training session on farmed snow are exceeded by alternatives based on air travel. This partly confirms the viability for professional sports with transferable implications for tourism. Touristic interest encompasses traveling of athletes, recreationists and spectators to destinations, event hosting, shared use models and application of snow farming in the wider touristic context. Overall, site-specific characteristics determine the adaptive potential, needing critical consideration upon implementation to avoid rebound effects and maladaptation.