Can the North American ski industry attain climate resiliency? A modified Delphi survey on transformations towards sustainable tourism

Abstract

As global temperatures increase, does accelerating climate change represent an existential crisis or a manageable challenge for the ski industry? Despite considerable evidence demonstrating the global ski industry is in the early stages of a climate-induced transition, global research on ski industry stakeholder perspectives shows varied levels of climate risk awareness, a focus on future vulnerability, and limited engagement in adaptation. Within North America, research has focussed on the physical climatic impacts to ski operations and possible skier responses, yet there lacks insight into industry perceptions on current and future climate vulnerability. This study fills this important knowledge gap using a Delphi survey to engage 52 leaders from across the continent in a dialogue on strategic climate responsiveness. Results demonstrate North American ski industry leaders’ climate risk perceptions range widely, and opinions diverge over if or how to respond at both an industry and destination scale. Simultaneously, industry experts believe mountain tourists increasingly value nature-based activities, place-bound products, and corporate responsibility. Analysing industry leaders’ responses through Enlightened Stakeholder theory highlights how aligning supply-side environmental management with demand-side tourist experiences may create opportunities for new partnerships, innovations, policies, and strategies needed to achieve climate-resilient and sustainable futures.

KEYWORDS:

• Sustainable tourism
• climate change
• resilience
• transformations
• ski industry

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Oxford School of Geography and the Environment under the BCM Grant; and St Peters College under the J Bossanyi Bursary in Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use.

Notes on contributors

Natalie L. B. Knowles

Natalie Knowles MSc Oxon is a biodiversity conservationist and climate scientist focussed on applying sustainable tourism to enhance conservation across a number of ecosystems. Her work primarily looks at the effects of climate change on winter tourism and the compounding socio-economic and ecological impacts to mountain communities and environments.