Fulvio Rigotti defended the decision to use helicopters to transport artificial snow to Monte Bondone's ski slopes in Trento, Italy, citing economic necessity to prevent potential losses of up to $500,000 for Trento Funivie.Environmental groups like
Extinction Rebellion and
WWF criticized the action as a "dangerous precedent" and a disregard for climate change, especially with the 2026
Olympics increasing reliance on artificial snow.