Beyond Snow
Beyond Snow
The project "Beyond Snow" is about the future of winter tourism in the Alps. Together with 13 other partners from the Alpine region, Alpine Pearls is working to increase the socio-ecological climate resilience of small snow tourism destinations and communities at medium altitudes so that they can maintain their attractiveness for residents and tourists.
Strengthening the Resilience of snow tourism destinations and Municipalities in the Alpine Region to Climate Change
Many small winter destinations at low and medium altitudes and municipalities throughout the Alpine region are confronted with the consequences of climate change, in particular the decline in snow cover and general snow reliability. Climate data shows that these effects will intensify considerably in the future. In addition to the ecological effects, tourism destinations are also confronted with the associated socio-economic consequences. BeyondSnow aims to increase the socio-ecological climate resilience of these destinations and enable them to maintain or even increase their attractiveness for residents and tourists.
For Alpine Pearls, our member Werfenweng is participating as a pilot working area. Our member Bohinj is also involved in the project as a pilot region via another project partner.
Goals
Project partners
Key data
BeyondSnow On Tour Events
Events in the pilot region of Werfenweng
In order to share the results and activities of the project with various target groups, and above all with the local population and visitors to the regions, so-called ‘BeyondSnow On Tour’ events are being organised in all pilot regions.
Together with the Werfenweng Tourism Association, we have used some great events in the region to draw attention to the project and create synergies. Below is an overview of a selection of these events, which, in addition to many other presentations, were primarily intended to reach the Alpine Pearls network, but also a very broad local audience that was not selected on the basis of specific expertise. The events are particularly well suited to the topics covered in the project, both in terms of their role as tourist events and their theme (winter events).
Alpine Pearls officially presented the BeyondSnow project to all network members during the annual general assembly in Primiero San Martino di Castrozza (Italy). Representatives from several Alpine tourism communities attended the event. In a special session, the project's objectives, planned activities and initial ideas for local measures in pilot areas such as Werfenweng were presented. This event was an important milestone for the launch of the project within the transnational network and triggered initial feedback and cooperation opportunities between the member locations.
Alpine Pearls presented the BeyondSnow project to a wide audience at the popular International Sled Dog Race in Werfenweng, which attracts many visitors every year. At its own information stand, the project offered printed materials and insights into the effects of climate change on winter tourism and the project's goals to support sustainable change. The event attracted families, sports enthusiasts and tourists and provided an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of snow-related activities and their vulnerability. Local media also reported on the event, helping to spread the project's messages further.
In January 2025, a ski mountaineering event was held in Werfenweng, attracting athletes and spectators from Austria and abroad. Alpine Pearls took part in the event to promote the BeyondSnow project, highlighting the challenges climate change poses to snow-based sports. Through an information stand and direct engagement with participants and visitors, the project was introduced as an initiative supporting mountain areas in adapting to changing snow conditions. The event also served as a platform to communicate the importance of diversifying winter tourism and integrating soft mobility and sustainability strategies.
News
Are you interested in the BeyondSnow project and would like to be kept up to date? Then take a look at the latest newsletters. They contain interesting insights into the project activities, give concrete examples and information on suitable measures from participating regions and from the partners.
