Morocco and Israel: ski-holiday destinations of the future
Monday, 06 Feb 2006 14:43
Ski destinations are set to change over the next 50 years
Familiar ski holiday destinations in Europe will be surpassed by destinations in Africa and the Middle East over the next 50 years.
Traditionally favoured ski-holiday resorts in France, Austria and Switzerland are set to lose out to Morocco and Israel due to declining snowfall.
Alpine ski resorts, which cater for 85 per cent of the UK's ski holidays, will experience a drop in snowfall of at least 30 per cent, according to new research.
Skiers will have to travel to higher altitudes and further afield for guaranteed snow, says the SnowFuture report by travel insurer Churchill.
It predicts that by 2050 only resorts with a snowline 1,500 metres above sea level will offer a natural snow season, ruling out destinations including Lillehammer, Norway, where the snowline is 180 metres, and Kitzbuhel, Austria, where the snowline is 760 metres.
Valle Nevado in Chile, Mt Xiling in China, and Mt Hutt in New Zealand will become popular worldwide ski-holiday destinations.
But for Brits, Mt Hermon in Israel and Oukaimeden in Morocco will provide more accessible ski-holiday destinations.
"The SnowFuture Report analyses the factors set to change the winter sports travel industry as we know it – such as climate change and more diverse travel patterns," said Mike Ketteringham, head of Churchill Travel Insurance.
"The result is that tomorrow's skiers can look forward to a very different skiing experience with visits to far-flung destinations being just the tip of the iceberg."
The report predicts that existing ski-holiday destinations will broaden their appeal by offering activities such as hiking and mountain biking.
They are also likely to invest greater resources into manufactured snow-production and maintenance technologies.
Nearly half of all skiers have enjoyed a ski-holiday in France, while just under a third have been to Austria and nearly a fifth have been to Italy.