The ski industry in the Pacific Northwest is preparing for climate change by diversifying revenue streams, including more summer activities.

According to the Oregonian, ski resorts in the Cascade mountains believe that they'll have to make more snow or reduce the amount of time lifts are open because more winter precipitation is expected to be rain instead of snow.

Of major concern are an increasing number of days where it's too warm for snow to stay frozen.

"You can make snow if it's cold enough, but you can't make cold," Charles Shepard, CEO of Hoodoo Mountain Resort, told the Oregonian.

Resorts are hiring their own climatologists to better understand just how bad it will get for the industry that makes most of its money from having plenty of powder.

Global warming doesn't concern most folks because it may kill a few polar bears; it is because effort must be taken to save the snow because of tourism implications and because of the effects on low-lying areas.

Ski resorts are smart for trying to stay one step ahead of the changing climate. While the science for predicting weather patterns may not be precise, being aware of the risks to the core of your business is a necessary investment for the ski industry.