Climate Change means More Storms but Less Powder

According to Cornell University: “While the severity of … extreme snowfalls is likely to increase, the number of days per year with snow on the ground is likely to decrease.”

Climate science is complex, making it difficult to predict the precise impacts that the warming climate will have on weather in any given region. One thing scientists seem to agree on across the board, however, is that the intensity of storms - from hurricanes to blizzards - is increasing.

A greater percentage of total precipitation is falling in the heaviest storms each year.

This means that the biggest storms are becoming more intense and more frequent.  Any skier could easily provide anecdotal evidence for this trend - whether is be the 4 feet of snow just received by areas of the Northeast last weekend, or the storm earlier this season that closed all Wyoming roads and forced Jackson Hole to shut down for almost a week.

(http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/heavy-downpours-increasing#graphic-16693)

Big storms are costing communities money in lost business, as well as plowing and repair costs.

These storms are also leading to injuries and even deaths.  According the National Centers for Environmental Information, a storm and associated cold-front that hit the East Coast in early February, 2015 had an estimated total cost of $3.1 billion and contributed to 30 deaths across 19 states!  This is just one of three winter storms in their database with an associated cost of $1.9 billion or more since 2010.

While Storm Intensity increases, total snowpack is decreasing.

Total inches of precipitation are decreasing in areas, and the snow that does fall is melting much faster.  Despite the trend of increasingly intense storms, scientists across the board have pessimistic predictions for future ski seasons.  Snowfall is predicted to decrease by as much as 70% in the Alps by 2100, and North American skiers are seeing spring come earlier and earlier each year.

More storms but less snow means shorter seasons for skiers, and expensive and unpredictable winters for local governments and ski resorts.

Help us fight back and protect the future of skiing and snowboarding. Take the Snowriders’ Pledge today!

REPORT: A GUIDE TO CAR-FREE SKIING IN COLORADO

The Growing Ways to Get from the Denver Region to the Slopes Without Your Personal Car

RELEASED BY: COPIRG FOUNDATION AND SNOWRIDERS INTERNATIONAL

RELEASE DATE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

Download full report here. A SHORTENED VERSION IS AVAIALBLE BELOW

For years, the only real way for people to get from the Denver region up to the ski slopes has been to drive their personal car. While the number of people who carpool along the limited roads that lead to our slopes is high, relying on personal vehicles to move hundreds of thousands of people from the Front Range to the ski slopes during the winter is inefficient, unsafe, and has a negative impact on our health and the environment.

Colorado needs a transportation system that provides safe, convenient, affordable options that connect the Front Range to the ski slopes. In the short term, we need to ensure that the personal vehicles that are travelling to the slopes are maximizing carpool opportunities in each vehicle. In the long term, we need a lot more options so people can ditch their car for shuttles, vans, buses and trains.

The good news is that over the last few winter seasons, options for getting to the slopes without driving your personal car have increased and smart phone technologies have made ride sharing and carpooling an increasingly efficient option.

This guide highlights the available options that our researchers found for travelling from the Denver metro region to the ski slopes without your personal car. Currently, available options include airport shuttles, multiple vans and bus programs, rideshares, and two train lines. The costs and convenience varies widely among the options but we included every option that our researchers found that we thought the public could access. The research was done between January 31st and February 6th. We also include some of the policies that ski resorts are implementing to incentivize carpooling including providing preferred parking.

SHORTENED VERSION OF THE GUIDE TO CAR-FREE SKIING IN COLORADO

Daily Access*

 

Bustang West Line

Stops: Frisco, Vail, Glenwood Springs
Cost: $12-$28   
www.ridebustang.com/west-line

RTD ski-n-ride (Route N)

Stops: Eldora   
Cost: $4.50
http://www.rtd-denver.com/skiNRide.shtml

Greyhound Bus   

Stops: Frisco, Vail, Glenwood Springs
Cost: $14-$32
http://locations.greyhound.com/bus-stations/us/colorado/denver/bus-stati...

Amtrak California Zephyr

Stops: Fraser-Winter Park, Granby, Glenwood Springs
Cost: $35-$168
https://www.amtrak.com/california-zephyr-train

 

Weekend access*

 

SnowStang

Stops: A-Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, and Winter Park
Cost: $45-$60 (round trip)
http://www.ridebustang.com/snowstang2017

Front Range Ski Bus

Stops: Loveland Ski Area, Copper Mountain
Cost: $45 (round trip)
http://www.frontrangeskibus.com/

Amtrak Winter Park Express

Stops: Winter Park
Costs: $59 (round trip)
https://www.amtrak.com/WinterParkExpress

University of Colorado, Boulder Ski Bus Program **

Stops: Keystone, A-Basin, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Vail -- different each weekend
Cost: $5-$15 (round trip)
http://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/transportation/bus/ski-bus-program

 

Access from Denver International Airport***

 

Colorado Mountain Express

Stops: Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Frisco, Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon, Edwards, Eagle, Glenwood Springs, Aspen & Snowmass Village
Cost: $49-$120 †
http://www.coloradomountainexpress.com/

Fresh Tracks Transportation

Stops: Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Frisco and Silverthorn/Dillon
Cost: $63††
http://www.freshtrackstransportation.com/

Peak 1 Express

Stops: Breckenridge and Summit County & Vail Valley
Cost: $44-$99††
http://www.mountainshuttle.com/shuttle-schedule/

Powderhound Transportation‡   

Stops: Aspen Snowmass, Beaver Creak, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Steamboat, Vail, Winter Park
Cost: $249-$299‡
http://ridethepowder.com/

Summit Express

Stops: Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Frisco, Dillon/Silverthorn
Costs: $65††
https://www.summitexpress.com/

 

Ride Share Options*

 

SkiCarpool.org

SkiCarpool is a nonprofit organization that facilitates carpooling to Colorado resorts using an active rideboard on their website
www.skicarpool.org

Carpool World

International ridesharing website with an active ride-board of people driving from Denver Metro Area to the mountains.
http://www.carpoolworld.com/carpool_.html

WaytoGo SkiPool Program   

Between December 2014 and March 2015, members of a vanpool through the Way to Go program received one free rideshare trip to the mountains per week.  Way to Go members should contact DRCOG to see if SkiPool options are still available.
http://commutingsolutions.org/commute-options/get-a-lift-with-skipool-be...

Craigslist Rideshare

General resource board where individuals can post requests and find people to carpool with.   
https://denver.craigslist.org/search/rid

 

Mountains with Carpool Incentives *

 

Arapahoe Basin

Limited priority parking for a car of three or more.  Discount tickets with a car of four or more.
http://arapahoebasin.com/ABasin/about/environment/transportation.aspx

Copper Mountain Resort

Priority parking for carpools of four or more,
http://www.coppercolorado.com/winter/the_mountain/transportation/village...

Breckenridge Ski Resort

$5 discount on parking with car of four or more.
http://blog.breckenridge.com/2015/03/30/breckenridge-parking-made-easy/

Keystone Resort

Priority parking for carpools of four or more.
http://m.keystoneresort.com/parking.html

* Information subject to change by the organizations and companies that run the service. Check website for latest information.       
** only available to students and alumni
*** Only shared shuttle options presented unless otherwise noted
† Discounts for children   
 ††Discounts for 3+ people and kids   

SnowStang Pilot Bus Program: Good News for Colorado Skiers

Good News For Colorado Skiers: CDOT Announces "SnowStang" Pilot Bus Program with Service to Front Range Ski Resorts

Snowriders International praises the announcement from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) last week of the pilot “SnowStang” bus program, a bus that will offer round-trip service from Denver to the Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, and Winter Park ski areas on February 11th and 25th. The bus will travel along the I-70 corridor, which is notorious among Denver-area mountain recreationists for its extreme traffic on winter weekends, and offers the appealing option to kick back and relax in a comfortable coach bus, rather than brave the traffic oneself.  Although SnowStang is only operating for two days this winter, Snowriders hopes to see it funded as a regular CDOT route in years to come. “We believe there is a great need for smarter transportation options from the Denver metro area to the mountains,” says Lucie Coleman, an organizer with Snowriders International.  “A public bus system, like the SnowStang program, is a big step in the right direction in providing the more efficient and environmentally friendly transportation solutions that skiers and snowboarders are demanding.”

As mountain recreation enthusiasts flood out of Denver and into the mountains on weekends and holidays, highway traffic usually spikes causing terrible traffic jams, adding hours onto commutes, costing mountain communities hundreds of millions of dollars a year, and having big impacts on the environment. Idling cars greatly increase air pollution, threatening public health and contributing to climate change.  What’s more, between 2001 and 2009 – the most recent data available – the average number of miles driven by 16 to 34-year-olds dropped by 23 percent.  This is the main demographic heading out of Denver each weekend to ski and board. Mountain travelers are demanding 21st century transportation options like rideshares, bus, and rail that allows them to save money, make new friends, reduce traffic, and reduce their impact on the environment. America should not just accommodate skiers’ and boarders’ desire to drive less, but actively encourage it. Cities across the nation are leading the way by expanding public transportation options, and building new public transportation infrastructure. We are happy to see the Colorado Department of Transportation is part of this trend.

As there are increasingly more of these options for Coloradans can take advantage of, Snowriders will continue to push for greater levels of public funding, to continue to make mountain access in Colorado, and throughout the country, more affordable, efficient and green.  We believe that efficient public transportation systems like rail and clean buses will make mountain transportation’s future better for everyone, not just skiers.

Paris Climate Agreement Statement

For Immediate Release:
Saturday, December 12, 2015

Historic agreement great news for the future of mountains, snow, and the planet

Paris, France – Today, world leaders have accepted a final agreement to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a level scientists say is critical to avoid the worst impacts of climate change such such as the end of healthy snowpack and ice cycles – a death sentence for cold, frontline communities. Snowriders International director Philip Huffeldt issued the following statement applauding the historic agreement:

“The end of a healthy snowpack, the end of ice, the end of healthy mountains is a real possibility unless we act boldly and swiftly to cut global warming pollution and transition to 100 percent clean energy. That’s why this climate deal is amazing news for mountain communities, Arctic communities, public health, and the planet.

“Snow and mountain communities understand what’s at stake better than most as much is already melting away. We’ve seen an avalanche of support from snow and mountain communities worldwide for a strong Paris agreement, while professional athletes, businesses, ski areas, governments, organizations and citizens from across the U.S. are standing behind the Clean Power Plan, the largest step our country has ever taken to act on climate.

“This landmark agreement gives me hope that we’ll be able to pass on a safer climate to our children and grandchildren, and that they’ll know what it means to enjoy the wonder and beauty of snow."

To learn more and take action, visit Snowriders International’s website www.snowridersinternational.org.

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Snowriders International is an organization of skiers, boarders, and mountain recreation enthusiasts.  We are dedicated to the promotion of winter sports and protection of the environment across the globe through service, education, research, and advocacy.

www.snowridersinternational.org

# # #

Elle Márjá Eira, Norway

COP21 Snow Report - Episode 5

Snow and Mountain Communities Demand Climate Action in Paris

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2015
Contact: Phil Huffeldt, Phil@snowridersinternational.org

Snow and Mountain Communities Demand Climate Action in Paris

Snowriders International partners with the Climate Reality Project to host the “I AM PRO SNOW” panel at the World Climate Summit

Denver, CO (12/5/15) – On December 6, the mayor of Snowriders International’s hometown of Aspen, Mayor Steve Skadron, will join a panel in Paris of elected officials, winter sports athletes, industry leaders and climate activists to discuss how climate change has begun to impact the snowsports and mountain world.

The I AM PRO SNOW panel will delve into the impacts that climate change is having on snowsports, mountain and winter based communities and industries worldwide, the future of snow and mountains if we don’t do our part to fight climate change, and the work that is currently underway to solve the crisis. By convening a diverse, powerful set of voices alongside the COP 21 international climate talks, Snowriders International and its partners are urging world leaders to form the strongest agreement possible in Paris and protect the mountain way of life for this and future generations.

Over the past year, a coalition including Snowriders International and the I AM PRO SNOW Campaign of the Climate Reality Project has gathered over 1,500 signatures, representing the voices of over 193,000 individuals worldwide, with ski areas, Olympians, elected officials, businesses, and organizations calling for strong action in Paris. In addition, 11 cities – including Whistler, BC, Ísafjarðarbær, Iceland, and many cities in Utah, Colorado and Oregon – have voted to pass a resolution in support of the letter.

Climate Reality President & CEO Ken Berlin will introduce the panel discussion, and participants will include:

• Porter Fox, author of Deep and editor at Powder Magazine, moderator

• Steve Skadron, Mayor of Aspen

• Elizabeth Burakowski, Researcher at NCAR Climate and Global Dynamics Division

• Bruno Cercley, CEO at Rossignol

• Michael Brune, Executive Director of The Sierra Club

• Seth Wescott, 2-time Olympic gold medal snowboarder

“Climate change is the biggest threat mountains and snowsports communities have ever faced,” said Phil Huffeldt, Director of Snowriders International. “With the I AM PRO SNOW coalition, we’re excited to help bring together such a powerful set of voices here in Paris for the sake of mountains and snow everywhere.”

To learn more and take action, visit Snowriders International’s website www.snowridersinternational.org. 

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Snowriders International is an organization of skiers, boarders, and mountain recreation enthusiasts.  We are dedicated to the promotion of winter sports and protection of the environment across the globe through service, education, research, and advocacy.

www.snowridersinternational.org

# # #

New Carbon Pollution Limits Great News for Mountains and Winter Sports!

Contact: Phil Huffeldt, 303-801-0578,Phil@snowridersinternational.org

Denver, CO – Snowriders International praised President Obama’s action on power plant rules today together with leaders from snowsports and mountain communities. Supporters applauded that there will be 32 percent less climate change pollution and more clean energy power nationwide, according to limits on carbon pollution finalized today that are central to President Obama’s plan to address climate change.  

“This is the biggest step the U.S. has ever taken to curb global warming pollution, and it’s big news for snowsports and mountain communities affected by climate change,” said Philip Huffeldt, Director of Snowriders International.

Winter sports athletes heralded the benefits the new pollution limits will bring to the country as unreliable snowpack and shorter winters hurt athletes’ ability to compete.

“As a five-time Olympian and gold medalist at the X Games for ski cross, I’ve seen the reliable snow of my youth change into man-made snow flanked by dirt and rocks on all sides,” said Casey Puckett. “Reduced snowpack caused by climate change really limits what we can do as athletes and that’s why I support the Clean Power Plan.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan sets state-by-state limits on heat-trapping emissions of carbon dioxide from power plants, the largest single source of such pollution in the country.

Mountain communities support the plan. This past November, over 130 ski areas, professional athletes, businesses, government officials, and organizations voiced support with Snowriders International for a strong plan. The final plan goes even further than the initial draft and many are happy about that.

“Ski areas depend upon having reliable snowpack every year and climate change is making that harder and harder,” said Mike Nathan, Sustainability Supervisor or Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. “The Clean Power Plan is a step in the right direction and the stronger it is, the better.”

Heat waves, forest fires, shorter winters and decreasing snowpack are just a few of the impacts of climate change that mountain communities have already begun to experience. California and much of the Pacific Northwest experienced the worst snowfall on record this past winter. Scientists predict that without drastic cuts in global warming emissions, these effects will become catastrophic.

Vast majorities of US residents across of all walks of life and political leanings support the carbon pollution limits, according to a recent poll according a recent Yale study. Skiers, snowboarders and other snow loving people participated in sending in more than 8 million comments in favor of the plan.

The Clean Power Plan comes out at an important time globally as world leaders prepare to come together and form an international agreement on climate change. The United Nations Climate Change Conference is in December in Paris this year and this plan allows the U.S. to lead and set a strong example worldwide.

“Today’s action is thanks to all the mountain and snowsports voices, together with millions of Americans, who called for strong climate action,” said Philip Huffeldt. “With continued leadership from the President and backing of the American people, the U.S. can help steer an international agreement to stave off the worst of the climate crisis.”

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Snowriders International is an organization of skiers, boarders, and mountain recreation enthusiasts.  We are dedicated to the promotion of winter sports and protection of the environment across the globe through service, education, research, and advocacy www.snowridersinternational.org

Skating On Thin Ice - 8 ways global warming is affecting winter sports.

Released by: International and Environment America

Release date: February 20, 2014
>Download Report

Contact:

Phil Huffeldt, Snowriders International Coordinator, (303) 801-0578, phil@snowridersinternational.org
 Anneli Berube, Environment Colorado Regional Field Organizer, (303)573-3871 x317,anneli@environmentamerica.org 

Global Warming has Colorado Winter Sports and Winter Olympics Skating on Thin Ice

 Denver, CO – With the world’s attention on the Sochi Olympic Games, Environment Colorado revealed a summary of global warming impacts on Winter Olympic sports and highlighting the need to act urgently to reduce the carbon pollution fueling global warming.

 “When it comes to the future of winter sports, global warming has us skating on thin ice,” said Anneli Berube, Field Organizer, with Environment Colorado. Philip Huffeldt of Snowriders International agrees, “there’s still time to keep from sliding off the edge by going after the biggest sources of the carbon pollution fueling global warming.” 

Environment Colorado and Snowriders International point to increased rate of snow melt, shorter winters, drought, and a shrinking map of reliable winter host sites, as climate impacts are threatening the Winter Olympic Games. They also warned that unchecked global warming could accelerate these changes. At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, organizers trucked in and manufactured tons of extra snow. The unusually warm conditions that trigger these extreme measures could become the new normal.

 Power plants that burn fossil fuels like coal and gas are the largest sources of carbon pollution in the U.S. But while there are limits on smog, soot, and other dangerous pollution from power plants, there are no federal limits on the industrial carbon pollution power plants emit.

 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments on its proposal to start limiting carbon pollution from new power plants, and plans to propose limits on carbon from existing power plants in June. Americans have already submitted 4 million comments to the EPA supporting limits on carbon pollution from power plants.

 “A shorter snow season means less time to practice on the slopes – and less fun,” said Confluence Kayak and Ski owner Jonathan Kahn, who joined Environment Colorado and Snowriders International at a news conference. “And that’s true for regular folks like me just as much as our Olympic skiers.”

 The Winter Olympic Games aren’t the only victims of climate change – scientists are seeing global warming’s fingerprints on the devastating wildfires and extreme flooding that are already exacting a huge toll on Coloradans’ public safety.

 “We can expect to see later accumulating snow, early snowmelt, and less snow overall, punctuated by the occasional large snowfall,” said Dr. Mark Williams, CU Boulder ‘Professor of Snow’. “It’s not all gloom and doom, but we have lots to do to reduce carbon pollution and lessen our impact on global warming.”

 “President Obama has committed to protecting our children and grandchildren from the worst impacts of global warming, but the EPA’s proposal to limit carbon pollution from power plants is not yet in place,” said Berube. “The fossil fuel industry and their allies in Congress are already lining up to block the president’s plan. Colorado’s leaders must show their support for climate action.” 

“Artificial snow and skiing on grass won’t save our communities or our way of life, but saving winter by fighting global warming will,” concluded Huffeldt.

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Environment Colorado is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization working to protect our air, water and open spaces. www.environmentcolorado.org

Snowriders International is an organization of skiers, boarders, and mountain recreation enthusiasts dedicated to promoting winter sports and protecting the environment. www.snowridersinternational.org