Moving Mountains Forum

For its 15th edition, the Moving Mountains Forum is breaking new ground: this gathering dedicated to “mountains in motion”—a platform for best practices aimed at a sustainable future at high altitudes—will now take place in early fall, on Wednesday, October 7, and Thursday, October 8, at the Claude-Nicollier Convention Center in Les Diablerets (VD). Stakeholders in the mountain economy and tourism, municipal and cantonal authorities, experts in sustainable transition, scientists, and lovers of mountain life will come together to discuss the best solutions so that, in the face of climate change and societal upheaval, mountain communities can build their future together.
The Forum’s program, full details of which will be published before the end of August, promises to be particularly rich. Under the overarching theme “Changing Territories: How Mountain Regions Envision Their Future,” the two days of discussions and exchanges will provide insight into the challenges and very concrete ideas. The guest of honor at this 15th edition will be the Savoyard village of Pralognan-la-Vanoise—a mecca for mountaineering—which will unveil its plans for the future and the natural and economic challenges it faces. This presentation will be part of a dialogue with representatives from the Vaud Alps, which promises to be highly informative.

Among the other highlights of the 15th Moving Mountains Forum, Heinz Julen, architect, hotelier, and well-known thought leader, will present “Lina Peak,” his visionary and provocative project—a 260-meter-tall tower just below Zermatt designed to house those who serve the resort’s tourists but can no longer find an apartment due to real estate speculation. Does the future of mountain lodging lie in vertical living?
In partnership with the EC(H)O podcast, which highlights sustainable transition initiatives in Vaud’s tourism sector, guides from here and abroad will discuss the profound changes affecting their centuries-old professions. Swiss and international glacier experts will explain how they are monitoring the retreat of glaciers and permafrost, and how to cope with an uncertain environment. Ski resort managers will explore the best decision-making and economic models for planning for the future. Manufacturers of mountain equipment will discuss their environmental footprint.

Finally, in collaboration with the Skitzerland Association, the first edition of the Skitzerland Innovation Awards will recognize projects that help shape the future of mountain tourism and snow sports.