The iconic Weston cross-country ski track, a breeding ground for champions and a haven for winter sports enthusiasts, is facing an existential crisis. Climate change is threatening to melt away the very essence of this beloved sport. But here's the twist: the solution lies in a controversial innovation—snowmaking. Yes, you heard that right. Artificial snow is becoming the new normal, and it's changing the game in ways you might not expect.
Artificial snow, unlike its natural counterpart with its delicate six-sided crystals, resembles tiny ice pellets. Fresh out of the snow gun, it’s slow and cumbersome. However, once groomed, it transforms into a harder, faster surface than natural snow. This shift has sparked debates among purists and pragmatists alike. Is this the future of winter sports, or are we losing something irreplaceable?
Elite skiers like Julia Kern, a two-time World Championship medalist and 2022 Olympian, have had to adapt to this new reality. Kern, who honed her skills at Weston, describes competition snow as often icy and “sugary” due to repeated freeze-thaw cycles. This snow doesn’t bind together, and in warmer conditions, it can be pushed aside, leaving behind a sheet of ice. “That’s where all cross-country skiing is headed,” she notes. “It’s rare that I get to ski on natural snow.”
Interestingly, Kern might catch a break at the upcoming Olympic Games in northern Italy, where natural snow has been abundant leading up to the event. Yet, a recent study published in Current Issues in Tourism paints a grim picture: without snowmaking, only four of the 93 potential host locations for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics will be viable by mid-century. With artificial snow, that number jumps to 52 for the Olympics and 22 for the Paralympics. But here’s where it gets controversial: is relying on artificial snow a sustainable solution, or are we merely delaying the inevitable?
Daniel Cnossen, a former Navy SEAL and three-time Paralympian, trained at Weston while pursuing graduate degrees at Harvard. He emphasizes, “For a competition venue nowadays to be a viable major international competition venue, they have to have snow-making equipment.” But this reliance on technology comes at a cost. Limited snowmaking has shrunk some courses, adding more turns and traffic. Icy, sharp corners now demand greater technical skill, and skiers must meticulously adjust their wax techniques to match the conditions.
At Weston, longtime skiers reminisce about the days when natural snow transformed the track into a winter wonderland. Today, fewer snowy days have increased dependence on snowmaking, with water drawn from the nearby Charles River to create a 1.5-mile loop. Weston’s snowmaking capabilities, combined with night lighting, are invaluable given the lack of nearby alternatives. About two dozen high school ski teams, college athletes, youth programs, and recreational skiers rely on it.
However, challenges persist. On a recent weekend, a freeze-thaw cycle coupled with overnight rain damaged the track, thinning the skiable area and turning much of it to ice. Younger skiers struggled, like 5-year-old Julius, who crouched to navigate a treacherous downhill stretch. “Mama, it’s too icy,” he said, patting the ground with his red mittens. And this is the part most people miss: as snow becomes scarcer, the very experience of skiing is changing, especially for the next generation.
Adding to the concerns, a proposal by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) to improve the golf course beneath the ski track has skiers worried about losing one of the few courses near Boston during construction. Some question why the renovation doesn’t include long-overdue snowmaking upgrades to extend the skiable area. Chris Doyle, a board member of the Friends of Leo J. Martin Skiing, warns, “Hundreds of kids in those high school programs would lose access. They’re not going to drive to southern New Hampshire. Those programs would just stop.”
A DCR spokesperson assured that construction will begin in the spring and be completed before the next ski season, with provisions for a future snowmaking system—a multimillion-dollar investment yet to be funded. Meanwhile, at the track, young skiers with the Eastern Massachusetts Cross-Country Skiing’s youth program lined up to apply sticky wax for better grip. Despite the challenges, their excitement was palpable.
“It’s tough conditions,” said James Stock, the youth head coach, whose day job as Harvard’s vice provost for climate and sustainability gives him a unique perspective. “But that’s part of skiing—being able to adapt.” Stock believes there will still be enough cold days in New England to make snow, keeping the tradition alive. Yet, for parents like Ben Kennedy, who grew up skiing with his dad in Vermont and Pennsylvania, there’s a tinge of sadness. “You have to really want to continue doing it,” he reflects, hoping his kids will stick with the sport and perhaps pass it down to their children.
So, here’s the question for you: Is artificial snow a necessary evil, or are we sacrificing the soul of winter sports for convenience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Kate Selig can be reached at kate.selig@globe.com. Follow her on X @kate_selig.
