RAZOR: Monitoring Europe's alpine snow shortage

The European Alps are famed for their snowscapes, spanning eight countries and over 1,200 kilometers. But beneath this beauty, something is shifting. Over the past century, snowfall has declined by more than a third—and the consequences are unfolding fast.

RAZOR's Gabrielle Lawrence travels to the stunning Monte Rosa massif in northern Italy, where at over 3,000 meters, the Angelo Mosso Institute is one of Europe's highest research stations. Here, Professor Michele Freppaz digs into the snow to understand what's changing. By analyzing layers, temperature, and weak crystal formations like depth hoar, he reveals how warming climates are destabilizing the snowpack—making avalanches harder to predict and manage. As mountain guide Arnoldo Welf explains, seasons have shifted: less snow in December, wetter snow in spring, and explosives that no longer trigger slides reliably.

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Down the mountain, the ski industry is fighting to survive. Giorgio Munari runs Monterosa Ski, where 90% of pistes now rely on artificial snow. Water and air are mixed in cannons—no chemicals, but huge demands on electricity and water reserves. As low-altitude resorts close across Europe, he warns: without snow, people will leave, and the mountains will become uninhabited.

Beyond tourism, glaciers like the Lys have retreated over a kilometer in a century, threatening water supplies for agriculture, hydropower, and millions downstream. New technology—like cosmic ray neutron sensors—offers hope by measuring water stored in snow in real time. But as Michele says, "I have two kids. I have to be optimistic. We need a new generation to take better care of the mountains."