Winter Olympics Report 15: The Alps in Crisis

Against the backdrop of high-carbon sponsors headlining the Winter Olympics, the Alps are facing heavy industrialisation.

In his latest Winter Olympics report, Matt Rendell explores the ramifications behind the development of this iconic landscape.

Winter sports take place in a landscape plagued by global heating, and increasingly reliant on artificial snow - an industry which can lead to irreparable ecosystem damage.

A 2025 report by the environmental group Legambiente revealed the huge amounts of energy, water and new infrastructure needed to maintain year-round, perfect ski slopes; while over 250 ski facilities in Italy alone sit abandoned.

And as tourists and winter athletes flock to the mountains to enjoy artificially smooth slopes, the local environment and mountain communities are left to suffer.