Swiss Ski Resort Tries to Cover up Climate Change

VERBIER, Switzerland - Global warming may be the last thing on the minds of extreme skiers speeding down the blustery cliff faces at Verbier-4 Vallees this winter.

But looking down from the chic Swiss ski resort's 10,800-foot (3,300 m) peak, Eric Balet, whose company runs the ski lifts, says climate change has become a business concern.

The Tortin glacier topping Verbier used to stretch to the base of ski lifts and other paths, but Balet now has to use heavy machinery every autumn to move snow to fill gaps left from the ice formation's steady retreat.

"Only five to 10 years ago we didn't need any additional snow from the glacier," said Balet, director general of Televerbier.

In spring last year, to save surging fuel and other costs from moving the snow, he opted to cover up 26,900 square feet (2,500 sq m) on the glacier's edge with a thin insulating sheet to try to slow the melting.