Are we able to have sustainable winter sports events? Main challenges and future directions

TL;DR

This paper explores the challenges and best practices for making winter sports events sustainable, highlighting a gap between policies and grassroots implementation.

Contribution

The study identifies key sustainability challenges and best practices specific to non-mega winter sports organizers and examines how willingness to adopt sustainability affects challenge perception.

Findings

Policymakers and grassroots organizers have differing priorities in sustainability efforts.

Financial and infrastructural challenges are major barriers for sustainable winter sports events.

Willingness to adopt sustainability influences how challenges are perceived by organizers.

Abstract

Sustainable practices in winter sports events are increasingly emphasized by policymakers and international associations. However, non-mega event organizers, such as amateur sports clubs and infrastructure owners, often face unique challenges in implementing these practices. This study aims to identify and classify the key challenges and best practices in organizing sustainable winter sports events. Specifically, it investigates: (1) the most significant challenges faced by winter sports organizers (WSOs), (2) whether the perceived importance of these challenges is influenced by WSOs' willingness to adopt sustainability measures, and (3) the most common best practices, their effectiveness in addressing key issues, and remaining gaps.

A two-step research design was employed. First, a scoping review was conducted to synthesize existing literature on sustainability in winter sports events, focusing on policies, practices, and stakeholder experiences. Second, a questionnaire was distributed using snowball sampling to gather primary data from relevant stakeholders, including sports clubs and federations. The survey explored their experiences with sustainability and event organization. Quantitative data were analyzed using regression analysis and descriptive statistics.

The findings reveal two distinct perspectives within the sector. Policymakers and international associations advocate for standardized sustainability frameworks, while grassroots organizers prioritize operational concerns. Key challenges identified by WSOs include limited financial resources, infrastructure constraints, unpredictable weather conditions, weak public–private partnerships, and natural resource management. The survey also highlighted that WSOs' willingness to implement sustainability practices influences their perception of these challenges. Several best practices were identified, yet some critical issues—particularly financial and infrastructural—remain insufficiently addressed.

The study underscores a disconnect between top-down sustainability initiatives and the practical realities faced by grassroots winter sports organizers. While policy frameworks are evolving, their relevance and applicability to smaller organizations are limited. Bridging this gap requires tailored support mechanisms, inclusive policy development, and context-sensitive best practices. Future research should explore mechanisms to enhance collaboration between policymakers and local organizers to foster more effective and inclusive sustainability strategies in winter sports.

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