Snow Matters: From Romantic Background to Creative Playground in Alpine Tourism Practices

Martin Trandberg Jensen, Szilvia Gyimothy Mørup-Petersen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter explores the performative potential of snow in tourism, by drawing attention to its material and non-representational significance. Instead of focusing on the cultural significance and symbolism of snow in tourism experiences, it studies tourists’ mundane practices and engagement with this elusive substance. The chapter demonstrates embodied and sensuous features of a radical ‘element shift’ taking place in snow-clad landscapes, by capturing non-snowborne visitors’ tumbling, playful explorations and feeling for the snow in high alpine destinations. It argues that clumsy and remarkable mobility practices and new appropriations with/in snow may not only improve novices’ motricity and balance but also accentuate new design potentials that are not well-acknowledged by planners and product developers. Drawing on discussions on the politics of snow, the chapter concludes with a discussion on micro-design issues emerging from the analysis and offers future perspectives for snow destinations.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWeather : Spaces, Mobilities and Affects
EditorsKaya Barry, Maria Borovnik , Tim Edensor
Number of pages19
Place of PublicationAbingdon
PublisherRoutledge
Publication date2021
Pages111-129
Chapter8
ISBN (Print)9780367406394
ISBN (Electronic)9780367808198
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
SeriesPlanetary Spaces Series

Bibliographical note

Published 18 December 2020.

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