PITON seminar advances cross‑border adaptation tools for Pyrenean resorts

Joël Maitia, coordinator of the PITON project on the transition of Pyrenean mountain resorts to climate change, opened a two‑day seminar in Canillo where partners from Andorra, France and Spain shared methodologies and preliminary results from the project’s pilot cases. The meeting, PITON’s third territorial seminar, brought together the ten cross‑border partners to pool fieldwork and refine tools for local adaptation.

Launched in 2024 under the INTERREG‑POCTEFA programme and running until the end of 2026, PITON combines social and technological approaches to rethink development models for mountain territories facing shorter winters and reduced snowfall. Partners include Agence des Pyrénées, ISTHIA‑UT2J (Toulouse Institute of Hospitality), the Catalan Tourism Agency, the Conseil Départemental des Pyrénées‑Orientales, CIPRA, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC), Andorra Recerca + Innovació (AR+I), Pyrénées Vivantes and Couserans Pyrénées.

The project has developed digital tools to assess impacts on natural resources and to model socio‑economic repercussions. These tools are being tested alongside participatory methods in four pilot territories: Capcir and Couserans in southern France, La Molina in Cerdanya, and Canillo in Andorra. In Canillo, AR+I coordinated focus groups with residents, Grandvalira representatives and local merchants to explore possible futures, including scenarios for 2050 with higher temperatures and little or no winter season.

PITON’s mobilisation methodology rests on three principles: spatial projection, temporal projection and a systemic, global vision. Working groups bring together elected officials, professionals and other local stakeholders to reflect progressively on the future each territory wants and to co‑design adaptation options. Coordinators stressed that adaptation cannot be imposed from outside; actions must emerge from collaboration between politicians, professionals and inhabitants.

Speakers underlined that the economic impacts of reduced snow extend beyond ski operators to hotels, restaurants and local supply chains. The project seeks to foster cross‑sector “collective intelligence” so responses are territorial and integrated rather than the responsibility of a single actor. Participants emphasised that solutions will need to be tailored to each territory’s environmental, social and economic conditions.

Presentations highlighted shared challenges — shorter seasons and technical limits on producing artificial snow at lower altitudes — while calling for locally adapted strategies. Lucas Meheux of Agence des Pyrénées said warming of about 2 °C in the Pyrenees forces a rethinking of mountain futures. Noelia Souque, ambassador for cross‑border cooperation, described the project’s goal as preparing the mountain economy “for when there is no snow,” promoting less seasonal and more diversified activity.

Andorra participates through technical staff and active involvement in exchanges and pilots but does not receive or contribute EU funds because it is not an EU member. Local officials welcomed the focus‑group work: Canillo’s councillor Coia Torres said direct citizen participation helps build realistic, sustainable solutions and identify territorial priorities.

Organisers said further participatory workshops are scheduled after the coming winter, that first results will be published next spring, and that a final report is expected by the end of 2026. The seminar aimed to consolidate lessons from the pilots into a transversal methodology to guide local transitions across the Pyrenees, while keeping the broader goal of slowing climate change in view.