Evolving territories: how mountain regions envision their future

Guest of honour: Pralognan-la-Vanoise (Savoie, France). The birthplace of alpinism, this Savoyard commune borders the Vanoise National Park, the largest in France. Facing numerous economic and environmental challenges, Pralognan is in the midst of redevelopment and is planning to build a teaching and research centre focused on climate change and its impact on mountains and glaciers.

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Wednesday, October 7, 2026

1:30 PM: Welcome remarks
François Genillard, Syndic of Ormont-Dessus

1:40 PM: Current challenges, future positioning – alpine territories share their experiences

Pralognan-la-Vanoise (Savoie, France) – Guest of honour of the Forum

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How to balance summer and winter seasons? How to manage natural hazards and climate change? How to become a hub for exchange and understanding of climate issues, mountain life, and activity?

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With the participation of Martine Blanc, Mayor of Pralognan; Vincent Ravanas, Advisory Commission for the project on a natural hazards exchange venue; Jean-Daniel Tatoud, Deputy Mayor; David Binet, Head of RTM (mountain territory restoration, French National Forestry Office) for the Northern Alps

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Pays-d'Enhaut (Vaud) – how to implement the transition
With the participation of Pierre-François Mottier, Syndic of Château-d'Oex; Bruno Clément, co-director, Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park; Esther Mottier, founder and director of the "Votre Cercle de Vie" project

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Ormont-Dessus/Les Diablerets (Vaud) – the link between the natural environment and activities, forestry issues

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With the participation of Nicolas Pittet, Ormont-Dessus municipal councillor in charge of forests; and Frédéric Fournier, CEO and co-founder, Open Forest Protocol

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3:00 PM: Break

3:30 PM: Current challenges, future positioning: Romandy ski resorts look ahead
What solutions in the face of changing climate and economic pressure, what positioning for which clientele?

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With the participation of Joachim Rausis, President of the Commune of Orsières, President of the Valais Romand mountain population association, and Martin Deburaux, director of Télé Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets (TVGD)

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4:00 PM: Is the future of mountain housing vertical?

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Destinations are struggling to find housing for the people who keep them running, as real estate pressure grows. So should we build… upward?
Heinz Julen, architect and developer of the Lina Peak tower in Zermatt, presents his project.

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4:45 PM: When the mountains star in film: what goals? what means? what returns?
Is attracting major film shoots to the mountains a viable path for local communities? What is the goal? Visibility, promotion, local economic returns, more tourists? At what cost?

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Figures from the film industry and the mountain world debate.

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With the participation of Joachim Rausis, President of the Commune of Orsières, President of the Valais Romand mountain population association; Tristan Albrecht, Commissioner, Valais Film Commission; David Rihs, producer, partner at Groupe Point Prod Actua and Co-President of AROPA; Gilles Marchand, President of FIFALP

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5:30 PM: The transition of the alpine tourism economy toward sustainability, the Vaud example

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With Isabelle Moret, Vaud State Councillor, Head of the Department of Economy, Innovation, Employment and Heritage

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6:00 PM: Screening of the FIFALP film selected by Moving Mountains

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7:30 PM: Rustic dinner at Chalet des Sources

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Thursday, October 8, 2026

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From 8:00 AM: Mountain breakfast

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8:30 AM: Pessimist or optimist? An intergenerational discussion.

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Building on the findings from Mountain'Z, the event co-organized by HES-SO Valais Wallis and the Moving Mountains Forum on June 10 in Sierre, students compare their outlook with that of leading figures in sustainable transition.

• What kind of world are we leaving to Generation Z?
• What role can the next generation play in the transition/adaptation process?
• What priorities, and how do we work together for an attractive, vibrant mountain region?

With students from the Tourism section of HES-SO Valais Wallis; Philippe Gillet, geologist, former Vice-President of EPFL; Frédéric Fournier, founder of Open Forest Protocol; Josep Castellet, CEO of Pomoca; Raphaël Mayoraz, former Valais cantonal geologist, FIFALP 2026 Alpine Merit Award

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9:30 AM: How to restore natural habitat for the black grouse? Demonstration in Les Diablerets
The Alpine Tetrao Tetrix Association (AATT) works to reopen black grouse display areas that have been overtaken in the last 50 years by green alder (shrubs that spread to higher altitudes as the climate warms). It is active across 6 alpine pastures in the canton of Vaud, including Pillon and Arpille (above Les Diablerets). With Manue Piachaud, AATT representative.

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9:45 AM: Environment and science – Glaciers under close watch
The summer of 2026 made it unmistakably clear: our glaciers are melting, and the mountains are changing. How do we understand this phenomenon, what are its consequences, and how do we prepare for it?

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With the participation of Giovanni de Cesare, lecturer, operational director of the hydraulic engineering platform at the Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL; Basile Fahrlander, scientific collaborator, Swiss Polar Institute; Emmanuel Salim, Associate Researcher at the Institute of Geography, University of Lausanne; Mauro Fischer, glaciologist and geomorphologist, lecturer at the Institute of Geography, University of Bern, responsible for glacier monitoring in the Diablerets massif on a contract basis for GLAMOS (Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland).

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10:40 AM: Break

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11:10 AM: Mountain guides in the midst of change

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The profession is changing at the pace of the climate: new conditions, new opportunities, new dangers, new specializations… how are guides adapting, who will succeed them, what are their aspirations?

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Hosted by our partner ECHO – a conversation on sustainable tourism – presentation by Johan Faggion, moderated by Benoît Charrière

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With the participation of Fabian Pavillard, director of the Vaud Alps Mountain Guides Association; Bernard Vion, guide in Pralognan-la-Vanoise and speaker; Pierre Mathey, Secretary General and media spokesperson, Swiss Mountain Guides Association; Didier Perretten, career transition coach and ASGM mountain guide; and Laurent Busenhart, advisor at Retraites Populaires

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12:00 PM: Equipping mountain enthusiasts sustainably: what role for manufacturers?
Outdoor sports and hiking in nature are booming. What can manufacturers actually contribute to sustainability and good practice?

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With the participation of Nicolas Rochat, owner and CEO of Mover, a zero-plastic clothing brand; Josep Castellet, CEO of Pomoca, world leader in ski touring skins; and Vanessa Rueber, marketing and environment coordinator at Patagonia Switzerland, member of the Swiss committee of Protect Our Winters

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12:45 PM: Presentation of the Skitzerland Sustainable Innovation Award for snow sports

1:00 PM: Mountain farewell meal

Programme subject to change

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Experts and visionaries shaping the future of mountains.

The 2026 edition takes place on October 7 and 8 in Les Diablerets, at the heart of the issues we discuss.