Melting Utah 
Utah’s Melting Ski Slopes 

Warmer Winters 
April 20th, 2020  

Utah’s Ski Industry 

For years now Utah locals have noticed the change in climate during the winters. Winters are 
warmer. There’s less snowpack and when it does snow the snowpack melts quickly. A big part 
of Utah’s economy is the ski industry. “The best snow on Earth.” is a motto Utahns stand by. 
“Utah’s snowsports industry brings in $1..4 billion 
annually with 4.15 million visitors annually. An inch 
of snow is worth $2.8 million.”  

Economy  
As Utah receives less snow. Utah will receive less 
annual visitors resulting in profit loss. This loss can 
hit many businesses that benefit from the ski 
industry. From restaurants and bars to hotels and 
car rental companies. The ski industry helps 
alleviate costs for locals. The high level in tourism 
allows for lower taxes.  

Warming Winters 
Due to climate change impacting the globe in various ways, in Utah, summers are beginning to 
get hotter. Start earlier and end later. Which means winters are shorter. Estimates have reported 
Utah’s climate will increase by 4*F by 2100 and 2*F by 2050. On average Utah winters are 
between 10 and 40*F. With warming winters those brisk temperatures aren’t sticking around. 
Snow melts at 35*F. With temperatures warming accumulating snow storms will melt to water 

 
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leaving Utah’s slopes more watery than snowy during peak winters. Visitors & Utahns want 
the ‘Best snow on Earth”. Not “The slushiest snow on Earth.” 

Year to Year Snowpacks 

Every few years Utah experiences a great snowpacked season while other years have had a few 
snowpacks, but melt quickly. What many Utahns have observed over the years are the effects of 
climate change is causing storms to become drier leaving less snow and the dry atmosphere 
allowing for the fallen snow to melt in a few weeks time. Not to mention the later start to the 
snowy season. Utahns are seeing far less white Christamases. With January being the time of 
heavy snowfall.  

Bring back the SNOW Bring back the Tourists  

In 2018 Utah received 5,125,441 ski bound tourists. Nearly more than visiting the national parks 
combined. Though Utah has other attractions besides the snow sports industry it shows how 
vital it is to ensure it is not lost easily. Without the proper average snow packs Utah’s economy 
can take a trastic toll. As far as what we can do to stop climate change globally is something 
Utahns and everyone else can fight. One of the main issues is air quality in Utah’s winters. 
During the winter due to colder temperatures Carbon emissions get trapped in the Salt Lake 
Valley. The mountiants acting like the walls of a bowl block the emissions from escaping. As the 
emissions are trapped air quality is unsafe to breathe during certain days and also leads to 
warmer winter days. Leading to snow melt.  

 
 
 
 

 
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The Solution 
What we can do as locals and nonlocals are simple. Like everyone living more eco friendly lives. 
Use less transportation that emits carbon into the atmosphere. Eat better diets, don’t waist, 
recycle, reuse, etc. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, emitting carbon emissions and 
polluting is adding to the change in the global climate. In this case Utah’s climate is being 
affected by losing its snow. In other parts of the world areas are getting drier and other areas 
are getting wetter. Storms are getting more violent. Islands and parts of the mainland are being 
engulfed by ocean water; due to melting ice caps in the arctic.  

 
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Sources:  

1. Lopez, B. (2019, May 22). Save Our Winters. Retrieved:

https://www.utahbusiness.com/greatest-snow-on-earth/
2. Gull, B. (2017, January 12). Scientists predict climate change to impact Utah ski industry.
Retrieved:
https://universe.byu.edu/2017/01/12/scientists-predict-climate-change-to-impact-utah-ski-
industry/  
3. Gardner, K. C. (2020). The State of Utah's Travel and Tourism Industry. ​The State of
Utah's Travel and Tourism Industry.​ Salt Lake City, UT: University of Utah Policy
Institute. From: ​https://travel.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019-TTtrifold-Updated.pdf  
4. Data, U. S. C. (n.d.). Weather averages Park City, Utah. Retrieved:
https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/park-city/utah/united-states/usut0390  
5. Utah Winter Fine Particulate Study (UWFPS). (2019, October 15). Retrieved:
https://deq.utah.gov/air-quality/utah-winter-fine-particulate-study-uwfps