In Colorado, the recreation industry accounts for $9.6 billion (GDP) annually. Nationally, outdoor recreation supports 7.6 million jobs and creates $886 billion in economic revenue.
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One of the authors, Jenni Gerard, backcountry snowboarding near Aoraki, New Zealand.
Winter Recreation
Winter Recreation
Not only is snow important for water and wildlife, but winter is incredibly beautiful and inspiring.
Skiing and snowboarding as we know it today– both at resorts and in the backcountry– are at risk of disappearing for future generations.
Winter recreation is an absolute lifestyle for so many people across the world. We must protect our winterscapes for generations to come!
Let's take a quick look into what a beautiful, fun winter looks like!
Now let's take a look at what winters will look like without as much snow:
A glimpse into ski resorts with more dirt than snow.
Image Credit: Digital Harvard Business School
Delayed opening of a ski resort due to lack of snow.
Image Credit: Daily Mail
February conditions at a ski resort in 2020.
Photo Credit: Business Insider
Summer Recreation
Summer Recreation
The recreation industry in Colorado isn't just in winter sports. In some Colorado counties, as much as 55% of summer revenue comes from rafting.
Image Credit: Oars
Rafting is driven by snowmelt and the typical monsoon season that, up until recently, was consistent in the American West between early July and late August.
With variable snowmelt and aridification, stream flows are lower and less predictable than in recent years.
Variable stream flows threaten the safety and future of rafting on the Colorado River.
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