Traditional Finnish ice preservation methods have inspired modern snow storage solutions to support Europe’s ski resorts amid warmer temperatures and shorter winter seasons.
The Levi ski resort in Kittilä, Finland, visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 15 September 2024, is an example of the several European resorts which have used recycled snow insulated with durable mats to extend their ski seasons without relying on energy-intensive artificial snow.
As climate change impacts snowfall patterns, snow storage methods help stabilise operations and ensure more reliable winter sports seasons.
The Copernicus Sentinel satellites provide free and open data useful for monitoring snow cover, an important component of many climatic, environmental, and economic processes around the globe.
Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery
