When viewers tune in to the 2026 Winter Olympics, they will witness pristine, white slopes, groomed tracks and athletes racing over snow‑covered landscapes, thanks in part to a storm that blanketed the mountain venues of the Italian Alps with fresh powder just in time.
Machine‑made snow dominates lower‑elevation events
At the venues where cross‑country and other events are held, athletes and organizers have been contending with rain, thin slushy snow and icy, machine‑made surfaces. “Most of our races are on machine‑made snow,” 2026 U.S. Olympic team cross‑country skier Rosie Brennan said. “TV production is great at making it look like we are in wintry, snowy places, but this year has been particularly bad.”
What the cameras don’t reveal
Snowmaking technology makes half‑pipes and races possible when natural snow is scarce – the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing relied entirely on machine‑made snow for many races. However, artificial snow creates a very different surface. Natural snow forms a variety of textures – fluffy powder after a storm, firm or brittle snow in cold weather and slushy wet snow during rain or melt events. Machine‑made snow, by contrast, begins and ends its life as an ice pellet surrounded by a thin film of liquid water, resulting in a harder, more uniform track.
‘They’re faster, icier and carry more risk’
When artificial snow is produced, a high‑pitched hiss roars from the pressurized nozzles of snow guns, spewing water mixed with compressed air that freezes into dense ice particles. The drops can sting exposed skin. Snow machines then lay down artificial snow, often creating “ribbons of snow” surrounded by brown mud and dead grass. Brennan noted, “Courses built for natural snow experience completely different when covered in man‑made snow. They’re faster, icier, and carry more risk than anyone might imagine for cross‑country skiing.”
How athletes adapt with science
Elite athletes adjust technique and ski preparation to match snow conditions. Ski technicians test multiple ski pairs with different bases and waxes, evaluating glide speed and durability – traits that depend on friction between ski and snow. Compared with natural snow, machine‑made snow provides a more durable and longer‑lasting surface, allowing stronger pushes without sinking. Improved grooming machines now produce harder, more homogeneous tracks that permit faster skiing. Yet faster skiing also raises injury risk; crashes on the harder artificial surface can increase the likelihood of injury.
Why winters are changing
Long‑term climate trends are shifting what can be expected of a typical winter. In the Alps, air temperature has risen about 2 °C (3.6 °F) since the late 1800s. Globally, 2025 was the third‑warmest year on record, following 2024 and 2023. Warmer conditions cause snow to melt earlier and more frequently in mid‑winter, and the snow line – the elevation where precipitation shifts from snow to rain – is moving upslope. Many winter storms now produce less snow over smaller areas and for shorter durations than a generation ago.
Training venues under pressure
Traditional training sites such as glaciers have become unreliable. In August 2025 the Hintertux Glacier – the only year‑round training centre in Austria – announced its first temporary closure. Athletes now often travel to higher elevations for better snow, but this concentrates training in fewer locations, raises costs and limits access for younger skiers. Some glaciers, like Canada’s Haig Glacier or Alaska’s Eagle Glacier, are reachable only by helicopter. When snow is unavailable, athletes resort to dry‑land training on rollerskis.
Athletes notice the climate shift
Because winter is their workplace, athletes often perceive subtle changes before long‑term statistics confirm them. U.S. Skier Jack Young, in his early 20s, has observed a rapid expansion of snowmaking infrastructure at many racing venues. Snowmaking requires large amounts of energy and water, a clear sign that organizers view winters as less dependable. Ben Ogden added that poor snow conditions affect Alpine tourism, harming communities that rely on winter visitors.
A wintry look, but an uncertain future
For athletes at the 2026 Games, the mix of snow at higher elevations and rain at lower elevations reflects a broader truth: the stability of winter is diminishing. The Games will go on, and the snow will look good on television, but the underlying climate reality is changing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is machine‑made snow being used at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Lower‑elevation venues have faced rain, thin snow and icy conditions, prompting organizers to rely on artificial snow to ensure that cross‑country and other events can be held safely and on schedule.
How does artificial snow affect athletes’ performance and safety?
Artificial snow produces faster, icier tracks that can increase speed but also raise the risk of falls. The harder surface can lead to more severe injuries when crashes occur, and athletes must adjust technique and equipment to cope with the different glide characteristics.
What climate trends are influencing winter sports venues?
Rising temperatures in the Alps (about 2 °C since the late 1800s), record‑warm years globally, earlier mid‑winter melt and an upslope shift of the snow line are all reducing natural snowfall, prompting greater dependence on snowmaking and altering training and competition planning.
How do you consider the reliance on artificial snow will shape the future of winter sports?
