To Natives spending time in resorts with Glaciers, this will come as no surprise. Still, here's more evidence of the effects of global temperature fluctuations. [See the Ski Club's Respect The Mountain campaign for more information on what we can all do to reduce our own impact.]
Global warming blamed for Glacier Instability
Long a tradition in the French Alps, summer skiing at France’s Alpe d’Huez provided glacier skiing for skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. There was also a circuit that provided rare summer cross country skiing. And now resort officials have announced that summer riding will be halted for the foreseeable future, perhaps forever, until the melting glacier is stabilized. Apparently, global warming (or similar) is wreaking havoc on the resort
Lack of new snow isn't the problem, it's the structure of the glacier itself
“There is now a real problem with the glacier that is disappearing so we need to be really careful,” said a resort spokeswoman. “It is not a problem of lack of snow as we got a lot this winter, but a problem with the glacier itself. So the summer ski is stopped for this year and for years coming. We do not know yet for how many years.”
Summer skiing may be a thing of the past
For many years prior, skiiing at Alpe d’Huez was possible from June through August on the Sarenne glacier, accessed by the Pic Blanc lift. The altitude tops out at 3300m. Alpe d’Huez is one of several European resorts forced to reassess summer skiing. The very scary reality is the face of skiing in Europe is literally melting away before everyone’s eyes. Alpe d’Huez had a good snow year this year, but resorts are in serious conservation mode, not wanting to threaten their futures any more than they already are.
[Source: Stellar Mag]
