DATELINE: February 22, 2026 – A chaotic winter season is reaching a breaking point for travelers and the tourism industry alike. While some regions are currently buried under dangerous levels of storm snow, a pervasive snow drought fueled by record-breaking February warmth is dismantling winter tourism across the Northern Hemisphere. From the lower elevations of the French Alps to the iconic slopes of the U.S. West, ski resort closures 2026 are becoming a grim reality, leaving vacationers scrambling for refunds and the industry facing an existential crisis.

The Great Melt: Low-Altitude Resorts in Crisis

The defining story of February 2026 isn't just the weather—it's the permanent alteration of the ski map. Across Europe, a sharp divide has emerged: resorts above 2,000 meters are fighting avalanches, while those below are fighting for survival. The unseasonable warmth has decimated the snowpack at lower altitudes, forcing historic destinations to shutter operations early or, in some heartbreaking cases, permanently.

In a devastating blow to the French Alps, the historic Alpe du Grand Serre resort has become the face of this crisis. After battling years of financial instability and declining snowfall, local authorities have moved to cease operations, citing an inability to combat the warming climate. Similarly, Grand Puy, a family-favorite destination, has faced closure votes as the "white gold" that fueled its economy has turned to rain.

"We are seeing a bifurcation of the winter experience," says Alpine tourism analyst Dr. Elena Rossi. "If you booked a holiday below 1,500 meters this February, you aren't skiing—you're hiking on mud. The Alps ski conditions today are a tale of two elevations: dangerous blizzard conditions at the summit and spring-like thaw at the base."

US Ski Resort News: Droughts, Deluges, and Suspended Operations

The situation in the United States is equally volatile, characterized by extreme "weather whiplash." While recent headlines have focused on massive storms slamming the Sierra Nevada, a quieter disaster has been unfolding in the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies. Lack of snow travel impact is real and costly, with several resorts forced to suspend operations just as the season should be peaking.

In Oregon, popular destinations like Mt. Ashland and Mt. Hood's Ski Bowl have had to suspend operations intermittently due to critically low snow levels and unseasonably warm rain events. Meanwhile, data from Colorado indicates a softening in hotel bookings as visitors, wary of the inconsistent conditions, bail on planned trips. The "snow drought" has left some runs patchy and unskiable, contrasting sharply with the paralyzing blizzards hitting California's Mammoth and Palisades Tahoe, where resorts closed not for lack of snow, but for too much of it, triggering high avalanche dangers.

This volatility is the new normal. Travelers are no longer just checking for powder; they are checking if the mountain is even open. The erratic weather patterns have made winter travel alerts a daily necessity, with conditions swinging from record warmth to dangerous ice storms within 48 hours.

Traveler Rights: Cancellations, Refunds, and Insurance

For the thousands of tourists facing ruined holidays, the question isn't "where to ski," but "how to get my money back." Travel cancellation rights have become a hot topic as the definition of "skiable conditions" gets blurry. Standard travel insurance often excludes "lack of snow" or "poor weather" unless the resort completely shuts down, leaving many out of pocket.

However, the industry is adapting. Major tour operators are introducing flexibility clauses similar to the "Crystal Snow Promise," which allows vacationers to rebook fee-free if less than 10% of runs are open due to lack of snow. For independent travelers, the situation is trickier.

Protecting Your Wallet in 2026

  • Check the "Snow Guarantee": Before booking, verify if the resort or pass offers a specific refund policy for low-snow closures.
  • Buy "CFAR" Insurance: "Cancel For Any Reason" insurance is the only surefire way to recoup costs if you decide to cancel a trip because the conditions look bleak but the resort remains technically "open."
  • Flight Rights: In the EU, if your flight is cancelled due to the "weather whiplash" storms, you are entitled to a refund or rebooking. In the US, airlines are less regulated but often offer waivers during named winter storms.

Climate Change Tourism 2026: The End of an Era?

The disruptions of February 2026 are not anomalies; they are the accelerated symptoms of climate change tourism 2026. The shrinking snow season is forcing an economic reckoning for mountain towns that rely entirely on winter dollars. With "safe snow" lines moving higher every year, the industry is witnessing a consolidation where only high-altitude, wealthy mega-resorts can afford the massive snowmaking infrastructure required to survive.

For the traveler, this means higher prices and more uncertainty. The days of booking a February ski trip six months in advance without a second thought are over. As we look toward the rest of the 2026 season, the lesson is clear: flexibility is the most essential piece of ski gear you can pack.