TranStat 
TranStat - Transitions to Sustainable Ski Tourism in the Alps of Tomorrow
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Overview

Today, the players in mountain resorts are faced with a common challenge: coping with the effects of climate change without having a solid reference framework within which to act. The TranStat project aims to support co-constructed transition processes in mountain resorts (MR), understood as ski resorts associated with their territory.

TranStat will endeavour to implement a participative and inclusive approach, involving not only elected representatives and players in the tourism industry, but also all economic players and local residents. The aim is to develop co-constructed transition scenarios and propose solutions to the challenges identified in the RMs.

To this end, TranStat is mobilising a physical and digital network of resorts in transition to share knowledge and experience about the future.

Factsheet

  • 2021 – 2027
  • Climate resilient and green Alpine region
  • SO 1.1 - Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches
    • AG1 Research & innovation
    • AG2 Economic development
    • AG6 Natural resources
  • 11/2022
  • 10/2025
  • 2.223.167 EUR
  • 1.593.318 EUR

Description

Partners

National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (Lead partner)
  • Lead partner
  • France
  • Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
  • Saint-Martin-d'Hères Cedex
Grenoble Alps University
  • France
  • Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
  • Saint-Martin-d'Hères
Regional Council Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
  • France
  • Rhône-Alpes (FRK2)
  • LYON CEDEX 2
University of Milan
  • Italy
  • Lombardia (ITC4)
  • Milan, Italia
Lombardy Region
  • Italy
  • Lombardia (ITC4)
  • Milan
Austrian Academy of Sciences
  • Austria
  • Tirol (AT33)
  • Innsbruck, Austria
alpS Gmbh
  • Austria
  • Tirol (AT33)
  • Innsbruck
ecoplus Alpin
  • Austria
  • Niederösterreich (AT12)
  • St. Pölten
Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
  • Slovenia
  • Zahodna Slovenija (SI04)
  • Ljubljana
Development agency for Upper Gorenjska
  • Slovenia
  • Zahodna Slovenija (SI04)
  • Jesenice
University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons
  • Switzerland
  • Ostschweiz (CH05)
  • Chur
  • 45.18366835.75448
  • 45.191560855.76726385662386
  • 45.74094364.820184105769259
  • 45.46186589.1949796
  • 45.48604249.1959558
  • 47.2655338511.389404543169132
  • 47.266659811.391347344105387
  • 48.19830095000000415.632895272952346
  • 46.0476100514.504711191204319
  • 46.4423416514.028244712488505
  • 46.8530149.5124802

Outcomes


  • Stakeholder-driven Transition Method (STM)

    A practical, flexible and comprehensive collection of step-by-step instructions that supports Mountain Resorts in their participatory transition towards desirable futures by setting a Transition Framework and helping to identify, involve stakeholders in the transition processes and create a common understanding of desirable futures for them. It combines all created content within the WP with a heavy focus on stakeholders’ experiences and lessons learnt and will be part of the WP2.

  • Roadmap for transition processes

    Road map for transition processes : with a baseline and visual design, it will illustrate the different steps of the participatory approach : create the LLs, Diagnosis until the design of transition scenarios. In these different steps, the Roadmap will show and provide some concrete experiences based on the work done with and in the LLs and products from WP3 (A31 Transition pathways and 3.2 Short and ling-term thematic actions-sheets).

  • TranStat Policy Recommandation

    Based on the WP2 insights (A2.4) and the WP3 (A3.1), these policy recommandations will be structured on various chapters, one for Eusalp level and other for regional contexts. It will propose some adapted directions to swell the current policies to better support sustainable management in MRs.

Pilots


  • Kranjska Gora

      Kranjska Gora is located in the northwestern part of Slovenia, close to the Austrian and Italian borders, in the Julian Alps of Upper Carniola. The ski resort, situated between the elevations of 807 and 1282 mt, opened in 1948 and includes 14 ski lifts, 20 km of slopes for skiing and snowboarding and 40 km of cross-country skiing tracks. Since 1961, the resort is hosting one of the oldest active alpine skiing competitions in the world, the Vitranc World Cup, part of the Alpine FIS Ski World Cup. In summer, it is possible to practice sledding, tubing, hiking and mountain biking and to experience the bike park. The municipality has an Alpine climate with long, snow-abundant winters and shorter summers with moderate temperatures, easterly winds and sufficient rain to maintain the valley's greenery. The winter usually stays in the valley for between four and five months, and a blanket of snow usually covers the valley for just around four months. Kranjska Gora needs a transition toward a more sustainable tourism because it is facing climate changes. Indeed, it is experiencing extreme weather conditions and a decrease in snowfalls, which implies a shortening of the ski season and higher dependence on artificial snow.    

  • Rogla

    Rogla is located in the northeastern part of Slovenia at the top of the Zreče Pohorje range and in the Municipality of Zreče. The ski resort opened in 1975 and it is one of the most visited of the country, with over 200,000 skiers per season and capacity of 13,500 skiers/h. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1050 and 1517 mt and includes 12 km of slopes and 13 ski lifts. The resort is firmly a part of the FIS Snowboard World Cup calendar, hosting parallel giant slalom events since 2013; and of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup.

    The resort offers many activities, such as alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, squash, snowboarding, hiking, climbing wall, soccer, handball, basketball, athletics, mountain bike downhill, horseback riding, swimming, fitness, tennis, dog sledding, a forest canopy trail, and an alpine coaster. Moreover, there is the Rogla Olympic Center that includes two outdoor stadiums and a multipurpose indoor sports hall, which are one of the highest elevation stadiums/indoor arenas in Europe.

    In Zreče, the summers are comfortable and wet, the winters are freezing and snowy, and it is partly cloudy year round. The winter usually stays in the valley for between four and five months, and a blanket of snow usually covers the valley for just around four months. But climate change is becoming more visible every year; less natural snow and extreme weather conditions. The ski season is getting shorter, and every year the ski season depends more and more on artificial snow. Transition towards more sustainable tourism is therefore important.

     

     


  • Valmalenco

    Valmalenco is located in the Alps of Northern Italy, near the Bernina Peak, and the higher part of the valley includes the municipalities of Chiesa Valmalenco, Caspoggio and Lanzada. Tourism developed in the late 19th Century for mountaineering purposes, and in the mid-20th Century for ski tourism first in Caspoggio and then on Alpe Palù. However, in 2013 the ski area of Caspoggio closed for economic and climate issues. The ski area of Alpe Palù includes 50 km of slopes from an elevation of 1443 to 2450 meters, and 9 ski lifts, including the Snow Eagle, the biggest cable car in Europe. Moreover, there are over 5 km of cross-country skiing tracks and the Palù Park that is an olympic training site that hosts World Cup freestyle and snowboard competitions. The resort is differentiating the tourism offer by also promoting fat biking and snowshoeing in the winter and trekking, mountain biking, golf and gastronomy in the summer. It is necessary to evaluate future possibilities for the resort, due to changes in the demographic trends, to the declining of the traditional market, to rising costs and to climate change, with snow scarcity. For these reasons, achieving the goal of sustainability in Valmalenco is to maintain a balance between different needs linked to economy, environment, local government and the enhancement of cultural identities and of the opportunities for stakeholders  

  • Maniva Ski

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    Manivais a ski resort at 1 hour drive from the city of Brescia, located in the Italian Pre-Alps on Maniva Pass at 2064 mt. The ski area has 40 km of slopes at an altitude between 1500 and 2000 mt, 8 lifts and slopes also for bobsleds and sledges. The area offers activities practicable all year round and range from skiing to trekking, mountain biking and events. The accommodation facilities are open throughout the year, which makes Maniva Pass accessible in all the seasons. A sustainable transition is perceived as necessary in pre-alpine areas to cope with climate change and to plan strategies for the future. Moreover, it is essential also to preserve the local biodiversity and maintain the fragile balance of ecosystems      

  • Megève

    Megève is located in the French Alps of Haute-Savoie Départment, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. It's a worldwide renowned mountain territory close to Mount Blanc, with a model based on international and luxury tourism. The mountain resort has been labeled with the Flocon Vert and it is committed to a transition toward a more sustainable tourism development. Megève developed in the early 20th Century as a winter destination for privileged aristocracy, businesses and the financial world. A golf course, cable cars, ski lifts, a small airport, cultural and sport facilities and luxuries establishments were built. The village became known for its festive and sportive atmosphere, for the luxury shops, the international events and the VIP appointments. Nowadays, with two ski areas and 450 km of ski slopes, Megève is one of France's largest ski resorts. The municipality counts 3.025 habitants that become 80.000 habitants during the Christmas holidays. The resort has a capacity of 38000 bed places, 2 international airports, 400 sporting and cultural events per year, which makes Megève a four-season destination. Megève must be sensitive and responsive to the effects of climate change and needs to address the following challenges: monitor the snow condition and quality, as well as taking into account the water resources and energy management; face a lasting decrease in local population due to high housing prices; address new expectations from both local and tourist populations; and enact its commitment to sustainable development.  

  • Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse

    Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse is located at 900 m of altitude in the National Park of Chartreuse, a few kilometers far from Grenoble and Chambery, in the Auvergne Rhône-AlpesRegion. Tourism began to develop in the early 20th century with the construction of the "Grand Som", a luxury hotel that welcomed illustrious guests. Subsequently, it was recognized as a climatic resort and in 1950 became the first official winter ski resort in the Dauphiné. Nowadays, the ski area has 31 km of slopes at an altitude between 1100 and 1789 mt and 7 ski lifts. Despite investment in the ski resort, since the '90s, the village has had to face up to new factors of change linked to climate impacts and hazards, growing visitor expectations and operating costs. These issues have implied a differentiation strategy by structuring skilled outdoor activities and by promoting and networking the natural and cultural heritage. Its challenge is to design an integrated approach, based on deceleration, well-being, goodness, beauty, natural sports and culture, as well as to develop a quality of life attractive to both residents and tourists. Moreover, the ski resort needs to limit its impact on public finances, to use the financial resources made available to carry out actions to change the tourism model and to promote, implement and facilitate participatory governance.  

  • Sankt Corona

    Sankt Corona am Wechsel is a town in the Wechselgebiet Region, located in the south-eastern part of Austria at one hour's drive from Vienna. The municipality has an area of 8,70 square kilometers and a population of 399 inhabitants. St. Corona ski resort is an example of transition. The ski area has covered an area of 75,000 square meters since 2013, when parts of the ski area were dismantled. Indeed, the original ski area was transformed into a smaller adventure area for families with both winter and summer activities. Alpine and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, mountain biking and climbing in the motor skills park are some of the activities that can be practiced in the area. Sankt Corona is like many small ski resorts in transformation. The last decade has been promising in terms of climate change adaptation. But there are many more steps to go, to become sustainable in terms of energy or public transport. But the ski resort is working on these issues and it is on a good way to reach its goals.  

  • Großes Walsertal

    The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Großes Walsertal is a protected nature reserve in the Alps in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. The valley covers an area of 19,200 ha. There are 3,420 inhabitants and around 180 farms (40% of which are organic). The region was included by UNESCO in 2000 in the list of model global regions for sustainable livelihoods and economies. In a biosphere reserve, humans and nature should interact with each other and only positively complement the other. In winter, familiar skiing areas as well as skitouring and snowshoeing through silent winter landscape are part of nature experiences. The steep mountain slopes of the region are neither suitable for intensive agriculture nor for the construction of extensive ski slopes. The sustainable transition of winter tourism is seen as a positive impulse for regional development and the boosting of tourism while preserving cultural identity.  

  • Surselva

Videos

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Project calendar

08 Oct 2024
European Week of Regions and Cities
Project: TranStat
European Week of Regions and Cities
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15 - 18 Oct 2024
13th European Mountain Convention
Project: TranStat
European Mountain Convention
22 - 24 Oct 2024
The future of tourism in the Alpine-Adriatic region
Project: TranStat
​International symposium in memory of Zlatko Pepeonik, 1934-2004
Symposym hermagor2024
    23 Sep 2024
    Agriculture and Pastoralism
    Project: TranStat
    Conference - debate on Chartreuse agriculture and pastoralism
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    02 Jul 2024
    Forest and Climate Change
    Project: TranStat
    Conference-debate on Forest and Climate Change
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    08 - 10 Apr 2024
    2nd International Living Labs Workshop - Chiesa in Valmalenco (IT)
    Project: TranStat
    IMG_0407
    11 Dec 2023
    2nd Webinar Observers
    Project: TranStat
    Activities overview and partecipatory activity on the driving forces for the online participants
    WhatsApp Image 2023-11-10 at 11.37.38 (1)
    03 - 04 May 2023
    Living Labs Workshop in Megève
    Project: TranStat
    Living Labs Workshop in Megève
    Image de Megève au printemps/Megève in springtime
    22 Mar 2023
    Interreg Alpine Space – TranStat Overview
    Project: TranStat
    On Wednesday 22 March, at 5.30 p.m., there will be an online presentation of the Transtat Project
    230302_StD_webinar-22march

      Project news

      Conference on Agriculture and Pastoralism

      01.10.2024
      Conference debate

      TranStat Youth engagement: Slovenia

      23.09.2024
      Youth Engagement

      The Swiss Living Lab Vals

      22.09.2024
      The Swiss Living Lab Vals

      What is sustainable transition and why should the mountain resorts be working on it?

      05.09.2024
      News from ZRC SAZU

      TranStat Talks - FHGR

      28.08.2024

      TranStat's involvement in a community-based territorial dynamic: the example of St Pierre de Chartreuse

      23.08.2024
      News from INRAE

      2024 European Mountain Convention

      18.07.2024
      TranStat will shape the future of mountain economies at the 13th European Mountain Convention

      Visitor Management as a Sustainable Tourism Measure TranStat`s Living Lab Great Walser Valley

      11.07.2024
      In response to the challenges of overtourism in sensitive alpine ecosystems of the Great Walser Vall

      Exploring Future Scenarios for Mountain Areas in Valmalenco and Maniva Living Labs

      27.06.2024
      UNIMONT and Regione Lombardia organized the second workshop of Italian Living Labs

      Land of the Mountains, Rich in Future! Adapting to Climate Change Challenges in the Alps

      14.06.2024
      Land of the Mountains, Rich in Future! Adapting to Climate Change Challenges in the Alps

      Challenges and Future Directions for tourism in Kranjska Gora: Insights from the Valmalenco Workshop

      07.06.2024
      Challenges and Future Directions for tourism in Kranjska Gora: Insights from the Valmalenco Workshop

      News from OEAW

      29.05.2024
      What are the main activities in TranStat and how do project partners involve local stakeholders?

      TranStat's Living Labs, how does it work?

      09.05.2024
      Partecipartory processes are at the core of TranStat's Living Labs.

      Better understand our Living Lab's residents

      06.05.2024
      News from Université Grenoble Alpes

      Crafting Scenarios for Sustainable Transitions

      18.04.2024
      The FHGR is turning facts into narrative scenarios for the mountain resorts in the TranStat project.

      TranStat: second international Living Labs workshop

      12.04.2024
      April 8th-10th: the second international living labs workshop took place in Chiesa Valmalenco (IT)

      The role of UNIMONT within the TranStat Project: the stakeholders coordination to make them leaders of the change.

      26.03.2024
      Through the partnership with Regione Lombardia, UNIMONT is working in the TranStat Project

      Exploring Climate Change: Insights from the Workshop at Rogla Mountain resort.

      29.02.2024
      News from RAGOR

      LL Saint Pierre de Chartreuse Le Planolet and the Coeur de Chartreuse Intermunicipality: INRAE in the midst of an ebullient territory and a ‘in live’ process.

      20.02.2024
      NEWS from INRAE

      Start of participation process in the Great Walser Valley: workshop with local and regional stakeholders in the UNESCO biosphere reserve

      12.02.2024
      NEWS from alpS

      Who will lead the transition to sustainable ski tourism in the Alps?

      31.01.2024
      News From ZRC SAZU

      “Green Mountain Pioneers”: Multiplying sustainable initiatives

      25.01.2024
      News from OEAW

      Two Future Scenarios: The Must-Have And The Nice-To-Have Snow Sports Offer

      18.01.2024
      News from Ecoplus

      Second Webinar of the Observers

      21.12.2023
      Link to the recording of the 2nd webinar of the observers

      Continuing Social Diagnostics in our Living Labs: Focus on Local Residents

      20.12.2023
      News from Grenoble University Alpes

      Hands on in Switzerland: Development of Manuals for the Living Lab workshops

      13.12.2023
      News from FHGR

      Exchanges for a more Sustainable Tourism Sector

      30.11.2023
      ÖAW/IGF participated at the meeting organized by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy

      The First Participatory Workshops in the Italian Living Labs of Valmalenco and Maniva

      29.11.2023
      News from UNIMONT - University of Milan

      Adapting Alpine Ski Tourism: Navigating Climate Change Challenges and Embracing Sustainable Solutions in Kranjska Gora and Zreče

      22.11.2023
      News from the project partner ROGLA

      The Living Labs in TranStat: Experimental Roles and Objectives

      15.11.2023
      News from INRAE

      TranStat Talks - OEAW

      08.11.2023
      TranStat Talk: OEAW

      Exciting insights from Social Network Analysis (SNA) in Mountain Resorts

      02.11.2023
      News from the Project Partner AlpS

      Unlocking the Potential for Transition to Sustainable Ski Tourism: ZRC SAZU’s Living Lab Journey

      25.10.2023
      News from the Project Partner ZRC SAZU

      TranStat with INRAE and UGA at the ERSA Congress and at the Summer Sports University of Grenoble

      18.10.2023
      INRAE-LESSEM and UGA participated and presented the TranStat project at two events that were held in August and October 2023. Here is a short summary of the two activities that supported and disseminated the project: the 62nd ERSA Congress 2023 and the 40th Summer Sports University of Grenoble.

      TranStat at the Italian exhibition of Futura Expo with UNIMONT - University of Milan

      12.10.2023
      The Italian team of UNIMONT - University of Milan participated at Futura Expo in Brescia

      Doing transdisciplinarity – the IGF/ÖAW’S activities in the TranStat project

      11.10.2023
      News from the Project Partner IGF/ÖAW

      TranStat Talks - INRAE

      04.10.2023
      TranStat Talks: INRAE

      Alpine tourism: a future with or without snow

      04.10.2023
      News from the Project Partner Ecoplus Alpine

      Individuals at the heart of transition processes in mountain resort – News from the field

      18.09.2023
      News from the Project Partner Grenoble Alps University

      Shaping Surselva's future: a closer look at regional tourism strategies

      13.09.2023
      News from the Swiss Living Labs of Region Surselva Discover avegnirSURSELVA’s principles for y

      Perceptions from the TranStat Living Labs

      06.07.2023
      Discover more about the TranStant Living Labs and watch the interviews with their local representati

      TranStat: international Living Labs workshop

      09.05.2023
      On the 3rd and 4th May in Megève (France) took place the first international workshop of the nine Li