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This week, visitors to Mount Bjelasnica in Bosnia had to carry their skis through muddy conditions in order to reach the ski lifts. The warm weather, which has been attributed to this being the hottest January on record, has disrupted their typical winter pastime.
Aida Dedic, a skier from the Netherlands who had come to Bjelasnica, was surprised when she saw the mud this year. She noticed that it was different from the previous year and attributed it to climate changes.
Bjelasnica is renowned as one of the most affordable ski destinations in Europe.
Skiing industry worldwide is facing a threat due to rising temperatures, resulting in snowless mountains and abandoned ski centers even in popular European destinations like Italy.
Following a mild December, individuals skiing on the mountains near the city of Sarajevo in Bosnia experienced a brief period of colder temperatures and snowfall. However, by February, the snow began to melt.
Denis from Croatia expressed disappointment that there was no snow. Despite making reservations beforehand, he and his family did not want to cancel their plans because the children were eagerly anticipating it.
Tourists are trekking on the remaining marks of snow and mud on Mount Bjelasnica in Bosnia, despite the unusual warmth for the season.
Sarajevo, which hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1984, has been celebrating the 40th anniversary of the games this month. But the Women’s Ski Super G European Cup, which should have been held last week on the 2,067-metre Mount Bjelasnica, was canceled due to lack of snow.
Despite the lack of use for the snow cannons on a sunny day, dedicated skiers persevered through the melting snow and muddy surroundings.
Armin Dedic from the Netherlands expressed that their visit last year was significantly more enjoyable compared to the current season. Despite the warmer weather and less snow, they are still able to ski, albeit at a different standard.
Tourists are taking a ski lift ride on Mount Bjelasnica in unexpectedly warm weather.
In the previous month, a well-known skiing destination in central Italy was deserted due to warm weather conditions. Local businesses and residents attribute this to climate change, as the lack of snow on the mountains resembled springtime.
The ski lifts have been turned off and the snow cannons are left unused on the grassy slopes of Mount Terminillo. This mountain, standing at 2,217 meters (7,274 feet) above sea level in the Apennine range, is usually a popular spot for skiers from Rome.
This year, most shops and bars are closed and there are no customers renting equipment or buying hot drinks on their way to the slopes.
Vincenzo Regnini, the president of the company in charge of the local transportation and ski-lift operations, expressed concern about a key element missing from their ski facility: snow.
Source: independent.co.uk
