Top Alpine racers including Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin and Federica Brignone say rapid glacier retreat is endangering the future of their sport.
Speaking at the Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, they described dramatic changes to mountains where they once trained.
Scientists report Italy has lost more than 200 square kilometres of glacier area since the late 1950s.
Many glaciers in the Dolomites have shrunk to small ice patches at high altitude.
The Marmolada glacier, the largest in the region, has halved in 25 years and could mostly disappear by 2034 under current warming.
Skiers say glacier snow is essential for early-season training.
They now face exposed rock, deep crevasses and flowing meltwater on slopes once covered in ice.
Vonn noted that many glaciers she skied as a child have already vanished.
Shiffrin called climate change a direct threat to the “heart and soul” of winter sport.
Researchers warn glacier loss will also reduce water supplies, increase mountain hazards and raise sea levels.
Globally, more than 6.5 trillion tonnes of ice have melted since 2000.
Athletes are urging faster cuts to greenhouse gas emissions.
Studies show limiting warming to 1.5°C could preserve about 100 Alpine glaciers and extend the life of Marmolada.
Without rapid action, the number of viable Winter Olympic host venues is expected to shrink sharply.
