Sports events are also affected. In the German Alps, the Alpine Ski World Cup has canceled a number of events because unseasonal winter rain damaged pre-prepared ski runs.
In the Bavarian village of Ruhpolding, the director of tourism, Gregor Matjan, has helped the town salvage a long tradition of the Biathlon World Cup, a race that combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting.
This year, triathletes slide through the mud to watch competitors run along a track made of “farm snow” — snow stored and packed from the previous winter and covered with a reflective tarp. Because covered poles don’t need electricity for cooling, he says, it’s a relatively eco-friendly option.
“This year is really special, but we know that because of climate change, years like this will come more often,” he said. “So we have to find a way to deal with the economic impact.”
Some, like Thomas Schmid of Sattel, have opened businesses embrace the upcoming change.
Mr. Schmid, a professional property manager, sold his father’s traditional Alpine herd and bought goats, shocking some of his neighbors. But goats, with their smaller hooves and lighter weight, are less damaging to exposed Alpine vegetation than when there is no snow cover in the winter, he said. And goats can resist temperature changes better than cows.
He and his sisters have now opened a restaurant and shop, Blüemlisberg, and are experimenting with ice cream and goat milk chocolate. They invite tourists’ children to play with the goats, and hikers end the hike at their restaurant with goat cheese fondue.
“I’m from here — it breaks my heart to think we can’t ski here anymore,” said Mr. Schmid. “But people are starting to accept this. The climate is changing. So we have to do the same.”
