It is one of the most popular ski destinations in the world and is home to some of the most prestigious resorts.
But scientists warn that ski holidays in the Alps could soon become a thing of the past.
Eurac Research scientists found that snowfall fell by a third between 1920 and 2020.
In some regions, the situation is even more serious, as records reveal a reduction of almost 50 percent on the southwestern slopes.
Although the data goes back 100 years, snowfall levels only began to decline sharply after 1980.
The researchers note that this coincides with a sharp increase in average air temperatures around the world due to human-caused climate change.
In the most affected regions of the Southern Alps, including Italy, Slovenia and Austria, these changes could threaten the future of winter sports.
Lead researcher Michele Bozzoli says: “The decrease in snow has an impact not only on winter sports, but also on all activities and processes that depend on water.”
Ski holidays in the Alps could be a thing of the past as researchers have found that snowfall has decreased by a third in the last 100 years. This map shows 46 sites in the Alps, the red arrows show regions where snowfall has fallen by more than 30 percent.
There is growing concern that skiing in the European Alps may become impossible as the number of snow-covered days reduces. This was the scene at the closed Dent-de-Vaulion lift on February 2 amid the lack of snow at altitudes below 1,500 m.
An estimated 400 million people visit ski resorts around the world each year, and snow is an absolutely vital part of the tourism economy.
If the snow melts during the ski season between December and April, resorts have no choice but to run shorter, less profitable seasons.
Around the world there is now growing concern that climate change could make it impossible to keep runways open.
In their new study, the researchers compiled a century of snowfall data at 46 sites in the Alps by combining recordings from modern weather stations with handwritten notes dating back to the early 20th century.
This has created the first comprehensive look at how snowfall has changed over the past 100 years.
Bozzoli says: “In the Alps there is a markedly negative trend in recent snowfall, with an overall decrease of around 34%.
“In particular, a notable decline was observed after 1980. This date also coincides with an equally pronounced rise in temperatures.”
Beginning in 1980, the average air temperature recorded at meteorological stations began to increase rapidly, reaching values almost 1°C (1.8°F) above the 100-year average.
The reduction in snowfall in the Alps (left graph) relative to the 100-year average (dotted line) was accompanied by a sharp increase in average air temperature (right graph) beginning in the 1970s. 1980s due to human-caused climate change.
Resorts at lower altitudes and in warmer parts of the southern Alps were hardest hit as rising temperatures caused precipitation to fall as rain rather than snow. Pictured: Skiers try to make the most of snow-free conditions at the Lans en Vercors ski resort in France on January 27.
Those warmer temperatures mean that snow cannot form at lower altitudes and precipitation instead falls as rain.
Despite the increase in overall precipitation, this means that annual snowfall has decreased dramatically, especially in warmer regions and at lower altitudes.
The south-west and south-east regions recorded an average loss of 4.9 percent and 3.8 percent each decade, respectively.
Meanwhile, northern regions showed a smaller but still worrying loss of 2.3 percent per decade.
Bozoli states: “The most negative trends occur in places below 2,000 meters altitude and are found in southern regions, such as Italy, Slovenia and part of the Austrian Alps.”
At higher elevations, sufficiently cold temperatures mean snowfall levels have remained largely constant.
However, data shows that temperatures have risen so much in the southwestern and southeastern Alps that rain often replaces snowfall, even in the highest areas.
Previous studies have shown that climate change is putting several ski resorts around the world at serious risk of running out of snow by the end of the century.
Previous research suggests ski resorts in the Australian Alps (pictured) may no longer be economically viable as snow cover days could fall below 100 days.
Earlier this year, researchers found that one in eight ski resorts in the world would be snowless between 2071 and 2100.
The worst affected region is expected to be the Australian Alps, which will only receive 38 days of snow per year.
Even the European Alps, where 69 percent of the world’s ski areas are located, are expected to have 42 percent fewer days of snow cover by 2100.
Likewise, earlier this year, the iconic slopes of Mount Fuji were snowless for the longest time in 130 years of records.
Snow did not fall on Japan’s highest peak until early November, a month later than the usual date of October 2.
The situation is so serious that many resorts have been forced to store snow in vast isolated reserves during the summer to supplement the slopes during the following season.
However, the authors of this latest article warn that decreasing snowfall in the Alps will ruin more than a few ski holidays.
Snow plays a vital role in maintaining alpine ecosystems and protecting mountain settlements from flash floods.
This map from a previous study shows how each ski area will be affected by climate change by 2100. Purple squares show areas that will not receive days of snow cover, while yellow dots show regions that will not be affected.
When precipitation falls as rain rather than snow, it can quickly run down steep mountain valleys, causing greater erosion and greater flooding.
Research last year at Colorado State University found that flooding caused by rain was twice as large as flooding caused by melting snow.
Mr Bozzoli concludes: ‘Snow is crucial as a water reserve, it feeds glaciers, mountain streams and, as it slowly melts in spring, it gradually replenishes water reserves.
‘This aspect can no longer be ignored in the planning of water management policies’