Could Niigata's snow country look different in the future?

I live in an area of Niigata that is officially considered yukiguni, or snow country, so the idea of Japan having ski resorts without enough natural snow feels strange to me.

It's such a defining part of life here. It's also a huge part of the local tourism economy, with ski resorts bringing visitors into regions that would otherwise be pretty quiet during winter. However, a new study by researchers from Hokkaido University and the Forest Research and Management Organization suggests that Japan's ski culture could look very different in the future.

The researchers analyzed 349 ski resorts and defined a resort as viable if it could offer at least 100 days of skiing a year using only natural snow. Under a scenario where global temperatures rise by 4°C above pre-industrial levels, just seven Japanese ski resorts would meet that standard. Another 26, including some here in Niigata, would only be able to operate partially without artificial snow.

Even under a 2°C warming scenario, the researchers estimate that 53 resorts could remain fully viable, while another 108 could operate partially. Higher-altitude and more northerly resorts would have the best chances of hanging on to their snow.

I think for communities like mine which are built around snow, skiing, and winter tourism, this isn't just about whether there will be enough powder for a ski trip. It could eventually change the character and economy of entire regions.