A new look at the impact of climate change on potential Winter Games sites shows Utah is still among a limited number of locations worldwide that could be capable of hosting for decades to come.
SALT LAKE CITY — There may have been a slow start to this year's snow season in Utah , but a new look at the impact of climate change on potential Winter Games sites shows the state is still among a limited number of locations worldwide that could be capable of hosting for decades to come.
"It is among the most climate reliable locations in North America and globally," said Daniel Scott, the co-author of a 2024 climate change study supported by the International Olympic Committee that's just been updated.But the findings also show that this may no longer be the case by the 2080s, despite the interest expressed by Gov. Spencer Cox and others for Utah becoming a permanent Winter Games host should the IOC choose to start rotating the quadrennial event among selected sites.Just four locations studied around the world are expected to remain consistently cold enough to keep or make snow through the second part of the Winter Games, the Paralympics for athletes with disabilities held in March, if greenhouse gas emissions are high.The only site in North America determined to have a reliably cold climate under that scenario?It's not Utah but Lake Louise, a ski resort about 114 miles from Calgary in Canada's Banff National Park, Scott told the Deseret News. He declined to name the other locations but said two are at a "high elevation" in Europe and one is in Japan.Site-specific information was not included in the study at the request of the IOC, said Scott, a professor in the geography and environmental management program at Canada's University of Waterloo.Could Utah host the Olympics in the 2050s and 2080s?Fraser Bullock, president and executive chair of the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, said a future Utah Winter Games under those conditions could still be possible with some modifications, similar to those suggested in the study update."In the high emissions scenario, we would likely need to adjust the Games calendar in order to begin the Paralympics sooner," Bullock said. "We have several options, including starting the Olympic Games earlier or shortening the gap between the Olympics and Paralympics."He said Utah is in a strong position to become part of any future Winter Games rotation, "given all the factors to be considered, including how we could effectively manage a 2080 calendar for hosting the Olympics and Paralympics."Scott also told the Deseret News that Snowbasin Reso
Traffic Weather Sports Classifieds Cars Jobs Homes Television Radio Salt Lake Utah Local Climate Sports Environment International
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Utes QB, Las Vegas Bowl MVP Devon Dampier announces return to UtahJosh is the sports director at KSL and beat writer covering University of Utah athletics — primarily football, men’s and women's basketball and gymnastics. He is also an Associated Press Top 25 voter for college football.
Read more »
Utah QB Devon Dampier makes his return to the Utes officialUtah quarterback Devon Dampier announced Tuesday that he'll be back with the Utes for the 2026 season. Dampier made his return to Salt Lake City official via so
Read more »
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Free 3.0 Update Goes Live Early, Download NowAnimal Crossing New Horizons player in a winter indoor scene with a winter solstice seasonal sweater.
Read more »
'Representation matters,' US Olympians say in quest for winter games diversityUSA Bobsled and Skeleton is set to unveil its Olympic rosters, with most women competing likely being women of color. This could make the 2026 U.S. Olympic winter roster the most diverse ever. In 2018, 21 athletes of Black or Asian descent were part of the team, about 8% of the total. The 2026 team could surpass that.
Read more »
Special Olympics seeks volunteers for Winter Games coming to Monroe CountyThe Special Olympics will be hosting its Winter Games both locally and across the state next month.
Read more »
Horses, skis and adrenaline: Utah’s wildest winter sport wants Olympic glorySkijoring, a sport that combines horses and skiers, has infiltrated downtown Salt Lake City in recent winters. Now two Utahns are starting the Pro Skijoring Tour, with an eye on inclusion in the 2034 Olympics.
Read more »