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A warm winter raises questions for Idaho’s snow-based economy

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The episode, titled “A warm winter raises questions for Idaho’s snow-based economy,” featured a panel of experts who discussed how a low snow year impacts winter activities, the economy and local populations. 

As this winter racks up record high temperatures, the majority of the discussion was about winter recreation, where Parton discussed his research on how climate change impacts consumers choices and how that affects the economy. The group also talked about how agricultural production may be impacted and potential increases in wildfire risk.

Parton’s contribution begins at 18 minutes.

Period9 Feb 2026

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleA warm winter raises questions for Idaho’s snow-based economy
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletIdaho Matters
    Media typeRadio
    Duration/Length/Size44:07
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    Date9/02/26
    DescriptionWhere’s all the snow? You may have noticed that there’s been a significant lack of snow in parts of Idaho. In the Treasure Valley, we’ve had snow just twice this winter, and both times it was here and gone so fast we barely noticed.

    And it’s been far warmer than winter has a right to be. According to BoiseDev.com, Pocatello hit a record high of 57 degrees on Christmas, and meteorologists were originally predicting a La Niña this winter with colder weather and more snow. Instead, it’s been 50 degrees in Boise for much of January and February.

    So we’re devoting the entire show today to asking these questions: what’s happening with the weather? How is this affecting our ski resorts? And what’s happening to the snow-based economy that so much of our state depends on this time of year?

    To help make sense of all this, Idaho Matters put together a panel of experts to help us answer what's happening and what it could mean for Idaho's winters going forward.

    Our panel today:

    Ethan Sims with Idaho Clinicians for Climate and Health
    Zoe Sims with Boise’s Youth Climate Action Council
    Sam Murray, an intern with ICCH and an alumni of Boise's Youth Climate Action Council
    Jay Breidenbach, the warning coordination meteorologist for NOAA’s National Weather Service forecast office in Boise
    Nate Collins, the sustainability & stewardship coordinator with Bogus Basin
    Rachelle Leishman, the sustainability manager & executive administrator at Brundage Mountain
    Sara Dwiggins, the senior marketing manager of Smartwool & Icebreaker
    Producer/AuthorSamantha Wright
    URLhttps://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/show/idaho-matters/2026-02-09/warm-winter-dahos-snow-economy
    PersonsLee Parton
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