**Oldest Ski Resort in Isère Closes Amidst Warming Climate**

The iconic Alpe du Grand Serre, renowned as the oldest ski resort in Isère and one of France's premier mountain destinations, has officially shut down due to insufficient snowfall. This closure, the largest of its kind in the northern Alps, highlights the growing impact of climate change on winter tourism.

The announcement comes as a significant blow to the local economy, potentially resulting in the loss of 200 jobs. The village of La Morte, with a population of just 150, heavily depends on the influx of tourists drawn to winter sports. Lauranne Vincent, a local sports shop owner, expressed her shock on France 3 television, saying, "We are devastated and shocked. It's a brutal decision coming two months before we were due to open. We were hoping the opposite would happen. We said all lights were green to go."

Climate Central's research indicates that the United States is also experiencing a decline in snowfall, with nearly two-thirds of the 2,000 locations studied receiving less snow than they did in the early 1970s. A study published in 2020 highlighted that the western U.S. has become a global "hot spot" for snow drought, with a 28% increase in snow drought duration from 1980 to 2018.

These dwindling snow levels are not just a concern for winter recreation and tourism; they also pose challenges for water resource management. Reduced snowpacks lead to lower water supplies for municipalities, irrigation, industry, and ecosystems, and they can increase wildfire risks in western forests with abundant fuels, noted Climate Central's report.

Last winter, a study from Dartmouth College found that seasonal snowpacks across the Northern Hemisphere have significantly decreased over the past 40 years due to the accumulation of heat-trapping gases. The researchers warned that regions are nearing a critical "snow-loss cliff" which necessitates a shift in water resource management strategies.

In response to these alarming trends, the Tahoe Environmental Research Center, in collaboration with Palisades Tahoe and Protect Our Winters, has launched the "Save Our Snow" campaign. This initiative aims to encourage public action to combat the adverse effects of climate change on Lake Tahoe's snowpack and the overall winter tourism industry. By supporting climate causes and spreading awareness, individuals can contribute to efforts to mitigate the impact of global warming.