Winter Tourism and Climate Change in the Alps: An Assessment of Resource Consumption, Snow Reliability, and Future Snowmaking Potential

Author(s): Christian  Rixen Co-authors: Michaela Teich, Corina Lardelli, David Gallati, Mandy Pohl, Marco Putz, and Peter Bebi Publisher(s): Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL Website  http://www.wsl.ch Place of publication: Davos Language: en Price: free Purchase: http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.1659.1 Journal: Mountain Research and Development Page(s): 9 Magazine No.: 31 (3) Publication type: Other

Our study provides straightforward and feasible approaches to assess resource consumption and snow cover. Careful consideration of resource consumption and snow cover can foster technical and economical advances as well as more sustainable development in mountains regions. Snow production can represent a valuable adaptation strategy at high-altitude destinations. However, given the increasing economic competition and the changing climate, it will be crucial to use specific regional strengths to provide high-quality winter and summer tourism activities.