The conquest of snows. A century of development of the ski resorts of the Western Alps

Abstract

The article deals with “The conquest of snows. A century of development of the ski resorts of the Western Alps", placing the theme in the economic, social and territorial framework discussed by the authors. As is known, the conquest of the highest peaks of the Western Alps occurred between the end of the 18th century and the middle of the following century: Mont Blanc in 1786, Monte Rosa (Punta Dufour) in 1855, the Matterhorn in the same year, the Monviso in 1861. The skis are gears suitable for snow-covered surfaces and were known for a long time in the Nordic countries, where they had found extensive use in the winter months. In central and southern Europe, he was a young Parisian, Henry Duhamel, who discovered skis on display at the stand that Norway had erected at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1878. The large cities, located in the plains at the foot of the Alps and in which industrial development was spreading, were connected to the mountain with trains, autopulmann and cars. The subsequent Liberation struggle led to the destruction, by the Nazi troops, of many high-mountain villages, where the partisans sometimes found refuge.

Keywords

mountain tourism; urban economy; tourism tourism; Industrial policy; big events; Italy

JEL codes

Z32; R58; L83