Participation in Cross-country Skiing in Finland under Climate Change: Application of Multiple Hierarchy Stratification Perspective

Abstract

In Finland, cross-country skiing is part of the cultural heritage and an important leisure activity. However, its future is uncertain as, according to climate scenarios, southern Finland will be on the boundary of the winter snow cover. Behavioral responses to change raise the question of who will give up skiing and who will be able to continue the activity in a changed climate. In analyzing skiing participation and frequency, this study extends the multiple hierarchy stratification perspective (MHSP) by showing that the socio-demographic variables gender, age, socioeconomic status and living environment have an interaction effect. The results also indicate that female gender, a lower socioeconomic status and an urban living environment are associated with a higher sensitivity to climate change.

KEYWORDS:

• Population groups
• sensitivity to climate change
• individual adaptation
• recreation participation