Ski season needs fresh snow. Resorts are struggling as the climate crisis forces them to rely on fake snow to make money.

• Snowpack is dropping across Northern areas that rely on it most  for winter sports and water. 
• Winter sports drive an estimated $20 billion into the US economy and $30 billion into Europe's.
• Ski resorts are making more manmade snow to adapt, but that drives up costs.

For Brendan Gibbons, snow rules the day. But about a decade ago, he let go of his annual ski season mantra.

"I used to say, 'We'll get our snow," Gibbons, director of snow services for Palisades Tahoe, told Business Insider.