Oberhof and Ruhpolding are two highlights in the annual biathlon calendar. The atmosphere and enthusiasm in both places are outstanding. But do the two German locations also have a future in times of climate crisis? A new study provides clues. The World Biathlon Federation has already reacted.
The water ran down Franziska Preuß’s hair, over her glasses, which she could no longer see because of the raindrops, her suit was wet, the snow was heavy, and the World Cup leader’s frustration was clearly visible when she finished 28th in the Oberhof sprint. Rain, slushy snow, no weather that makes biathlon fun – neither on the course nor in the stands in the biathlon stadium.
Biathletes and biathlon fans are now familiar with these pictures. From Oberhof, the Czech Nove Mesto, the French Annecy. Even in the otherwise snow-sure Kontiolahti, the world’s elite ski hunters trudged through a light drizzle in the Steffel races at the beginning of the season.
Study: Does biathlon have a future?
Are these images that viewers and fans will have to get used to in the coming years? The world association IBU and the University of Innsbruck investigated the question of whether biathlon has a perspective in times of climate crisis in a study. The study examined how safe their own locations will be until 2050. The scenarios for 38 different biathlon locations worldwide were looked at.
This takes into account a moderate global warming of around 1.7 degrees Celsius in 2030 up to a strong warming of around 3.1 degrees Celsius in 2050. Various influencing factors such as natural snow reliability, temperatures (for snow production), existing snow depots or aesthetic ones were taken into account Component included a snowy landscape. The most important results of the study are available to the Sportschau.
IBU sports director Böhm: “There will still be events in 2050”
The results can be interpreted positively or alarmingly for the future – depending on how you look at it. Daniel Böhm, sports director at the IBU World Association, sees it like this: “In a moderate scenario with good snow production capacity, including investments in infrastructure, most of our venues will still be able to hold events in winter in 2050.”as he says in the Sportschau interview. But Böhm is also clear: it doesn’t work without artificial snow and snow depots. And: “Especially in Central Europe, the period January and February, i.e. the core winter, will increasingly come into focus. The start of the season before Christmas will be the critical phase.”
scientist Steiger: “Increasingly problems in December and March”
Professor Robert Steiger from the University of Innsbruck elaborates in the Sportschau conversation and has a more critical view of the data. Steiger first says about safety in the core winter of January/February: “As early as the 2030s, we will drop to 75 percent safe locations in the high season. Around a quarter of the areas that host events today will only be able to do so in the future with increasing risk. It will happen more often that events in these locations have to be canceled .”
The number of available World Cup locations will decrease again for the start and end of the season: “In the early and late season, the proportion of safe locations is significantly lower, at 25 to a good 30 percent. You will have increasing difficulties finding venues for December and March.”says the scientist at the Innsbruck Institute for Public Finance, who has been working on the effects of climate change on tourism for many years, among other things.
The important role of Snow production
In addition to the increase in temperature, an important criterion for future events is the ability to produce snow. With low snow production capacity, around 20 percent of the possible World Cup locations will be canceled as early as 2030 and in December, even with a moderate increase in temperature. By 2050, this number will rise to around 30 percent. With good capacities, it will only be around ten percent in December by 2030. According to the study results, events could be held at all World Cup venues by 2050 with a lot of artificially produced or stored snow in the core winter of January/February, although around 15 percent would be “unreliable”.
Cost factor of artificial snow
The cost factor: Currently, the price for a cubic meter of artificially produced snow is less than ten euros under favorable conditions with a high proportion of renewable energy. But the price can also be twice as high. Around 20,000 cubic meters of snow are required for a 2.5-kilometer World Up lap.
Things are becoming unsafe in Central Europe
According to Steiger, the World Cup locations in Central Europe are particularly critical. Without specifically addressing Oberhof, Ruhpolding, Nove Mesto or Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, the scientist, who has already prepared a feasibility study for future Winter Games for the International Olympic Committee, says: “We see the largest number of locations in Central Europe where it is becoming more unsafe.”
Future in Asia and Scandinavia?
What conclusions do the world association and scientists draw? IBU sports director Böhm explains that you have to “more thoughts on calendar structure” make, “When can you still hold events at which venues?” Steiger says: “If we look towards the 2050s, the safest locations in our analysis are the Asian ones, followed by the Scandinavian ones. Basically, you can say that if you go to the north, to Scandinavia, it will be a little safer.”
Steiger: “There will be places that disappear”
Steiger also recommends that before 2050, “To look at the racing calendar again from the perspective of being in the locations at safe times.” And the Austrian says it is, especially for the Central European locations “In the longer term, the question is whether one or the other candidate can really stay in. There will be places that disappear completely from the map because it is no longer financially feasible at first and later also technically.”
OberhofManaging Director Wernecke: “The goal is climate neutrality”
At the German World Cup locations in Oberhof and Ruhpolding, people hear the results with interest, but without much concern. Both locations are well positioned, especially from a technical point of view. “This is nothing new for us”says Bernd Wernecke, managing director of the Oberhof World Cup organizer. Before the 2022 World Cup, the Thuringians had already dealt extensively with future climate scenarios.
Calendar: Oberhof wants to go to March
The microclimate in Oberhof is a little different, on the Thuringian Rennsteig the days are usually a little warmer at the beginning of January, and in February the temperatures rise a little. Therefore, the Oberhofers want a new place in the World Cup calendar. “We want to get into the third trimester“, says Wernecke. A corresponding application for the period 2026 to 2030 has already been submitted. “In the third trimester, Oslo has more fog days than Oberhof. We submitted a very good application”Wernecke is optimistic. Reasons for a calendar shift would be better and colder weather as well as snow production independent of the weather.
IBU announces calendar for World Championships in Lenzerheide
When asked by Sportschau, Böhm confirmed that the application had been received and was also being discussed. However, Böhm did not want to reveal whether Oberhof could move into the third trimester. But this much: The new calendar will be communicated on the sidelines of the World Championships in Lenzerheide in February.
Moving to Asia? “No application”
However, Böhm ruled out a move to Asia in the coming calendar phase, where the best future prospects for biathlon World Cups with guaranteed snow exist. No Asian World Cup port has applied to host the World Cup between now and 2030. In principle, the biathlon stadiums for the 2018 Olympic Games in South Korea and 2022 in China are available in Asia.
A new biathlon stadium was also built for the 2025 Asia Winter Games in Harbin, China. After the end of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian locations in Asia, such as Tyumen or Khanty-Mansiysk, could be available again.
Steiger: “Sport is a showcase for innovations”
In addition to the recommendation to adapt the calendar in the future, scientist Steiger sees the development “new high-performance centers at a different altitude, which may also be safer.” And: “It is important to monitor what is being done towards climate protection.” This involves sustainable snow production or reducing distances between event locations. “This affects all areas of society and sport is a showcase for innovations. If high-performance sport can achieve this, then one or the other can also be a little more climate-friendly.”
IBU relies on “Snow Network”
Steiger already sees the World Biathlon Association as a “pioneer”. An innovation, explains Böhm, is what is called “Snow Network”where the individual World Cup locations exchange the latest findings on improving snow production. The latest scientific results mean that snow loss in a snow depot over the summer can be halved from 30 to around 15 percent. In addition, explained Christian Winkler, IBU communications director, the CO2 footprint should be halved by 2030 compared to 2021.
October 2025: Season opener on rollerskis
Ultimately, the IBU is also aware that a future in biathlon could include a future on roller skis. There should be a big rollerski surcharge this year. Then the biathletes’ season opening takes place at the “Loop One” festival in the Munich Olympic Park and on roller skis.