Adaptive capacity indicators for cross-country skiing destinations in Germany under climate change

Cross-country skiing destinations in low elevations are required to adapt and transform their infrastructure and management practices in the face of climate change. Adaptive capacity is a key concept for understanding how tourism destinations can respond to climate risks. This study aims to assess the adaptive capacity of German cross-country skiing destinations to climate change and to identify and analyze related structural strengths and challenges. A standardized survey was conducted to collect data used to develop cross-country skiing-specific indicators for analyzing key determinants of adaptive capacity. The survey was targeted at operators of cross-country skiing destinations across Germany, and a total of N = 42 responded. The data was quantified, normalized and aggregated to form a composite adaptive capacity index, which allowed the comparison of destinations and the analysis of structural conditions. The findings indicate that, aside from a few destinations that demonstrate high adaptability, most cross-country skiing destinations have only moderate to low adaptive capacity. Key structural challenges lie in the areas of technology (e.g., snowmaking and snow farming infrastructure), physical conditions (e.g., elevation and number of operation days), and the availability of localized climate and weather data. However, many destinations show potential in terms of social capital, such as networks and local value, as well as in existing tourism infrastructure, which could be leveraged to support transformation processes.