Hundreds of winter sports enthusiasts endured a weekend of frustration and lengthy delays on the slopes of the Italian Dolomites, as an acute shortage of snow triggered severe congestion and hours-long queues at lift stations.
A Perfect Storm of Congestion
The disruption centred on the high-altitude area around 2,300 metres, near the vital connecting lift between Marmolada and the popular Sellaronda circuit. With several key ski runs closed due to insufficient snow cover, skiers were funnelled onto just a handful of open pistes. This overwhelming demand quickly exceeded lift capacity, creating what eyewitnesses described as a massive bottleneck.
Temperatures hovering just above freezing, combined with weeks of predominantly dry weather, have critically limited natural snow accumulation across the northeastern Italian mountain range. The region's reliance on artificial snowmaking offered little respite, as conditions remained too warm for the machines to operate effectively.
Chaotic Scenes and Angry Reactions
Queues grew particularly severe at the connecting slope leading to Arabba, which had been shut. Skiers attempting to return found themselves dependent on a single chairlift. This lift, normally configured to carry six people uphill, had been adapted for the descent with only three seats available, drastically slowing the flow of people.
According to local outlet Il Dolomiti, the resulting congestion led to waiting times stretching to 45 minutes, though many on social media reported delays of well over an hour. Chaotic scenes unfolded as vast crowds packed tightly in front of lift stations. On platforms like Facebook and X, skiers shared photos and videos of the ordeal, with some complaining of "hours of waiting times" and others branding the situation a complete "circus."
As tempers frayed, many began demanding refunds on their pricey ski passes. Marco Grigoletto, regional president of the ANEF ski association, acknowledged the difficult season. "So far, temperatures below freezing have only been below freezing for about six days at our altitudes," he told giornaletrentino.it.
A Divided Response and a Climate Warning
Despite the widespread frustration, not all commentary was critical. In the large 'Dolomiti Superski' Facebook group, some users urged perspective and patience, noting that after warm days, slope closures should be expected. Others advised visitors to check which runs were open before heading out or to seek less crowded areas entirely.
However, the incident has thrown a harsh spotlight on the longer-term challenges facing the region. Experts consistently warn that climate change is severely reducing snow and ice in the Alps. Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, forcing ski resorts to depend increasingly on artificial snow. A stark reminder came last year with the revelation that the Dolomites' largest glacier could vanish completely by 2040, having lost over 80% of its surface area since 1888.
For now, there is a glimmer of hope for improved conditions. Marco Grigoletto expressed optimism, stating, "We hope that the bad weather will start on Tuesday," explaining that colder temperatures would finally allow snowmaking systems to resume work. Whether this will be enough to salvage the season remains to be seen.
