Whether hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, I constantly find myself in the Wasatch Mountain Range. These mountains are one of my favorite things about living in Salt Lake City. As I teach my son to ski, I can’t help but worry about how climate change will affect them.
The Wasatch Mountains draw locals and tourists from all over the world to ski in their deep, powdery snow. But that legendary snow is vanishing. Over the past few decades, studies show a significant decline in snowpack levels in the Wasatch Mountains. The EPA reports that Utah lost 80% of its April snowpack from 1955 to 2023.
It’s easy to forget about decreasing snowpack levels when resorts like Park City, Snowbird, Solitude and Alta still host thousands of visitors every winter. But warmer weather and inconsistent snowfall are forcing Salt Lake City and Park City ski resorts to turn to snowmaking in the early season. And despite a few record-breaking snowfalls in the last few years, the pattern of decreased snowfall does not bode well for the future of our favorite slopes.
The effects of decreased snowfall extend beyond epic ski days. The snowpack in the Wasatch Mountains acts as a natural reservoir that sustains Salt Lake City and much of northern Utah. But as winters warm, we’re seeing more rain instead of snow, and the snow accumulating over the winter is melting earlier in the season. This change threatens to disrupt Utah’s water supply. Utah is one of the country’s driest states, and these water supply changes are amplifying the competition for water between cities, agriculture, hydropower and nature.
Local communities are stepping up to help protect the Wasatch mountains. Resorts like Park City are investing in renewable energy initiatives and public transit projects. On a grassroots level, conservation groups like Save Our Great Salt Lake are pushing for stronger water efficiency policies.
As someone who calls these mountains and Salt Lake City home, assessing the snowpack in the Wasatch Mountain Range is not just about protecting a hobby I love — it’s about protecting the environment and creating a sustainable water supply for all.
Here are a few ways I’m taking action — and you can, too:
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Staying informed and spreading the word. Learn more about how climate change is impacting our water supply and ways you can help protect our natural resources at the Utah Rivers Council. Share this article with friends and family to raise awareness about the growing challenges climate change poses to the Wasatch Mountains.
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Getting involved in sustainability efforts. Sign petitions, support local environmental groups and take small steps in your daily life to reduce your carbon footprint and conserve water. Share your opinions with local representatives this February by joining Save Our Great Salt Lake as they advocate for stronger environmental regulations.
Helena “Ellie” Huizenga is a writer who is happiest with a book or on a mountain trail.
Helena “Ellie” Huizenga is a writer who is happiest with a book or on a mountain trail. Stay updated on her writing and sustainable parenting journey by subscribing to her newsletter, The Green Pen.
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