Vail Resorts, a major operator of ski resorts including Vail in Colorado, Whistler-Blackcomb in Canada, and Perisher and Mt Hotham in Australia, is experiencing a significant decline in stock price due to adverse weather conditions linked to climate change. The company's latest financial results, released this week, revealed 'weaker performance' attributed to an 'unfavourable' Australian winter that turned mountains into 'mudbaths,' alongside a dreadful northern hemisphere ski season. The CEO and CFO described weather conditions as 'challenging,' 'exceptionally challenging,' and 'historically challenging,' though they avoided using the term 'climate.' The company's financial health is further strained by over US$3 billion in debt accumulated from acquiring 40 resorts since 2019. S&P Global downgraded some of Vail's debt in 2025, citing weather patterns, and while maintaining the rating in 2026, they expressed hope for improved weather. However, the weather did not normalize, remaining warmer and drier than usual, particularly affecting Vail's key Colorado resorts located in the northwest, which typically receive less snow during El Niño events. Whistler-Blackcomb in Canada also faces similar challenges. The article emphasizes that Vail Resorts serves as a 'canary in the coal mine' for climate change impacts on the economy. While the company is synonymous with wealth and privilege, its struggles highlight broader economic vulnerabilities tied to climate trends. The piece notes that climate change has tipping points, such as the zero-degree Celsius threshold for snowfall, and that extreme weather events like bushfires in Australia are becoming more frequent under high temperatures and low humidity. The author argues that Vail's plight is not isolated but a warning sign for the wider economy, suggesting that addressing climate change is crucial for economic stability. The company's debt burden, combined with rising interest rates, creates a precarious financial position, making it vulnerable to further climate-related disruptions. The article concludes that saving Vail Resorts could be part of saving the world, as it represents a microcosm of the broader climate-economy relationship.

Perisher closes today, ending IMO the worst Aus snow season in memory While the peak depth at Spencers Ck just beat the worst season, 2006, by 9cm This season saw no Spencers Ck snow before end of S...

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Perisher Resort, Australia, has announced it will wrap up the 2026 season on Friday September 25.