Climate change is making it harder for alpine ski resorts, especially those on glaciers, to stay open. In Austria, over 100 hectares of glacier are covered each year with plastic sheets made of polypropylene (PP). These white geotextiles reflect sunlight and slow melting, helping preserve up to 2.5 meters of ice each season. This protects ski slopes and allows for year-round tourism.

But while effective, these plastic covers create a new problem. As they wear down, they release tiny plastic fibers—microplastics—that are spread by wind and meltwater into the environment. This pollution affects glacier ecosystems and downstream areas and is now being addressed in Austria’s Action Plan on Microplastics.

To find a better solution, researchers, manufacturers, and ski operators in Austria, Italy, and Switzerland are working together. They are testing new glacier covers made from cellulose, a natural and biodegradable material. Trials at the Stubai Glacier show these covers work well and have fewer environmental impacts, including less harm to meltwater quality and microbial life.

These new materials could also be reused or recycled, supporting a circular economy. Sustainable glacier protection now depends on science-based solutions that balance effectiveness, environmental care, and social responsibility.