Conservative climate engagement

Historic drought conditions and weather extremes have hit the outdoor industry hard in Montana and other states throughout the West. Shorter winters, brought on by a changing climate, are driving these hard-hitting delays in the season.

“There’s definitely been a shift in the weather in the last ten years that we’ve noticed and it’s getting harder and harder for us to count on having that snow early on,” said Melissa Alder, co-owner of a local cross-country ski and bicycle store. Alder organizes the West Yellowstone Nordic Ski Festival. But, this year, for the second time since 2020, the West...