An analysis of the Impacts of climate change on winter sports in British Columbia : a case study of Whistler and Revelstoke, British Columbia

Abstract

Winter sports and tourism are central to Canadian cultural identity and an important economic driver, contributing many benefits including for smaller and isolated communities. It is forecasted that climate change will contribute to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Canada including flooding, wildfires, avalanches, heatwaves and drought. It is anticipated that the winter sport industry and the tourism industry, in general, will be significantly affected by climate change. Additionally, it is known that the Canadian tourism industry is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is important that stakeholders in the tourism industry understand the environmental impacts associated with their operations. The objectives of this research are to 1) explore the relationships between tourism and climate change in Canada, 2) assess how climate change may impact the industry and 3) explore the strategies that municipal governments and ski resorts are planning to adapt to climate change.