Before the start of the Winter Olympics in early February, Norwegian skier Nikolai Schirmer delivered the Ski Fossil Free petition to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The petition, has been signed by more than 21,000 people including numerous athletes. It calls on the IOC and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to reconsider their acceptance of advertising from fossil fuel companies in winter sports and to withdraw their sponsorship of the Olympic Games.
According to the Associated Press, Schirmer drew attention to the contradiction between the worsening climate crisis, which is already reducing natural snowfall, and the continued sponsorship of winter sports events by fossil fuel companies.
Within this broader movement, the international campaign Save Winter Games, launched by the New Weather Institute, has emerged as a visible and engaging platform.
The campaign has amplified athletes’ voices and mobilised public opinion through its website and social media strategy. The website serves as a central hub that clearly explains the link between fossil fuel emissions and the future of winter sports. It also offers accessible resources, statements from prominent athletes and concrete calls to action.
Save Winter Games has generated engagement on social media by sharing personal testimonies, visual storytelling and short videos that connect with people who care about snow sports and the environment. The campaign’s message, which focuses on protecting snow for future generations, has encouraged shares, comments and participation from athletes and fans alike.
By combining credible scientific information with powerful storytelling, the initiative has succeeded in broadening the debate beyond sports communities and into mainstream climate discussions.
The campaign also highlights sponsorship controversies, such as major oil and high-emission companies sponsoring the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. It argues that such partnerships are inconsistent with the long-term survival of winter sports.
Through online mobilisation and coordinated digital advocacy, Save Winter Games has increased public scrutiny of these sponsorships. It also made its mark on the debate about climate responsibility in international sport, with a particular focus on the future of winter disciplines.
