The International Ski and Snowboard Federation –FIS- and the World Meteorological Organization –WMO- consolidated their scientific cooperation on 30 October during a meeting held in Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, with the aim of advancing the understanding of glacier retreat and its direct impact on winter sports. The gathering took place on the Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and brought together snow sports professionals, glaciologists, and climate specialists.
The initiative seeks to ensure the long-term viability of skiing and snowboarding at a time when decreasing snow and ice levels affect both competitive practice and the communities that depend on winter tourism. FIS highlighted that awareness and decision-making must be grounded in verified scientific data.
Understanding and responding to glacier retreat
“The ripple effect of climate change across all sectors of society is deeply concerning. The world of snow sports — not only at the competitive level, but also for the communities that rely on ski resorts — is among the first to experience this impact directly,” stated FIS Chief Executive Urs Lehmann. He emphasized that sport can help drive meaningful action when supported by science.
During the meeting, WMO experts presented evidence showing that glacier retreat has accelerated since the 1990s due to rising temperatures. “The reduction in the number of days with snow cover is particularly notable at lower altitudes, making winter sports in these regions increasingly uncertain,” explained Stefan Uhlenbrook, Director of Hydrology, Water Resources and Cryosphere at the WMO.
Evidence observed in Switzerland
According to glaciologist Matthias Huss, from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) and Head of Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland, the country’s glaciers have lost around one quarter of their ice volume over the past decade. Additional loss was recorded in 2025, attributed to limited winter snowfall and successive summer heatwaves. The data were analyzed at the Jungfraujoch research observatory, located at approximately 3,500 metres above sea level.
The delegation discussed the implications of these trends for sports planning and territorial management. Permanent ice loss affects water resources and alpine safety, and poses challenges for organising competitions and maintaining winter tourism infrastructure.
The role of the sporting community in climate awareness
Two-time Alpine Ski World Champion and Special Projects Lead at the FIS President’s Office, Alexandra Meissnitzer, highlighted the role of athletes and sports institutions as communicators. “As an elite athlete focused on performance, it is easy to lose sight of the broader context. The FIS–WMO partnership creates a bridge between snow sports and science. While athletes cannot provide the scientific expertise needed to tackle the climate crisis, they can be strong voices for awareness and action,” she said during the visit.
FIS and the WMO signed their cooperation agreement in October 2024, marking the first time the United Nations meteorological agency has partnered with an international sports federation. The collaboration focuses on developing awareness and adaptation strategies to address glacier retreat and its consequences for winter sports.
