TranStat – Transitions to Sustainable Ski Tourism in the Alps of Tomorrow

TranStat project aims to promote climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches.

TranStat aims to provide Mountain Resorts (MR) and decision-makers with tools and a scalable methodology to support the implementation of transition paths and test solutions for winter tourism territories to adapt to climate change. TranStat follows a participative approach and will foster collaboration among transnational StakeHolders and researchers through means of establishing a physical and digital diverse network of MR in transition which will bring together key actors at the
Alpine scale.

l’adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici e la prevenzione del rischio di catastrofi, la resilienza, tenendo conto degli approcci basati sull’ecosistema. Questo progetto mira, infatti, a fornire ai Mountain Resorts (MR) e ai decision-makers gli strumenti e una metodologia scalabile per supportare l’implementazione di percorsi di transizione e soluzioni di prova per i territori del turismo invernale per adattarsi ai cambiamenti climatici. TranStat segue un approccio partecipativo e promuoverà la collaborazione tra stakeholder e ricercatori transnazionali attraverso la creazione di una rete diversificata fisica e digitale di RM in transizione che riunirà attori chiave a livello alpino.

The Covid crisis has shown the fragility of the current development model of Alpine regions that are largely dependent on winter sports tourism for employment opportunities and more generable, livable communities. However, these Mountain Resorts (MR) are now facing several challenges: first and foremost, the impacts of climate change, but also changes in tourism practices and population dynamics. In the face of unfavourable prospects for natural snow cover, MR have adapted by
developing snow production strategies. As these strategies raise questions in the long-term, some MR have, to varying degrees, implemented strategies for the diversification of the tourism supply, their economic development and quality of life. Some MR feel the need for more fundamental and transformative change and are looking for possible transition paths to reduce their long-term vulnerability. Yet, StakeHolders (SH) and territorial actors are not usually familiar with or trained in
implementing such important societal changes. Moreover, these radical changes can lead to emerging conflicts among SH which should collaborate to foster territorial resilience. This inexperience and discrete interests require the implementation of a participatory and inclusive approach and the development of a set of scalable tools which can be adapted to local situations.

The participatory dimension and the creation of a network of MR considered as Living Labs (LL) will help to share a vision on these common challenges.

University of Milan – UNIMONT will contribute in steering and coordinating the commmunication activities and will support the implementation of the living lab in Italy promoting stakeholder engagement and the co-creation process along with the Lombardy Region. Moreover, given the connection with EUSALP, UMIL will support the identification of relevant policy recommendations and provide a bridge to the EUSALP governing bodies.
The LL in Italy are two medium-sized ski resorts: Maniva ski, with a lack of snow due to its low altitude and Chiesa in Valmalenco, seeking to develop 4-season tourism which will be coordinated with Region Lombardy. UMIL will also involve other observers such as Adamello Ski and Aprica, two ski resorts close to its premises which will be involved in the dissemination of results and in the discussion generated within the TranStat project.