Case study | 1 May 2025

Economics to support a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy | Alpine Resorts Victoria

View our case study on how we assisted Nation Partners to provide an economic lens to their development of Alpine Reports Victoria's 10-year Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

What was the challenge?

Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) oversees six alpine resorts that play a significant recreational, economic and cultural role for Victoria. However, the impacts of climate change are already being felt across the alpine region, with reduced natural snowfall, heightened bushfire and rainfall risks, and increasing pressure on water and energy systems. These trends threaten the viability of snow-based activities, green-season visitation, and the economic contribution the resorts make to regional communities.

To support long-term resilience, ARV sought to develop a 10-year Climate Change Adaptation Strategy grounded in the best available science, local knowledge and practical actions. The Strategy development was led by the sustainability team at consulting firm Nation Partners. A multi-disciplinary approach was required and Frontier Economics assisted Nation Partners to provide an economic lens at key junctures of the development of the strategy—ensuring proposed actions reflected not only environmental and social considerations, but also economic value and feasibility.

How did we complete the economic modelling and analysis?

We undertook a qualitative economic assessment of a long list of proposed adaptation options which were developed by ARV and Nation Partners and underpinned by stakeholder engagement.

We examined the expected economic costs and benefits of each action. This analysis was integrated into a broader multi-criteria assessment framework, helping to identify actions that offered strong value for money and supported the long-term economic sustainability of the alpine sector.

Our work ensured that considerations such as seasonal revenue risks, snowmaking and water infrastructure requirements, energy transition challenges and year-round visitation potential were appropriately reflected in the strategy’s design.

What were the results?

Our economic assessment helped Nation Partners and ARV shape a practical suite of 33 adaptation actions across six strategic objectives. The resulting Strategy provides a clear roadmap for strengthening resilience across the alpine resorts, balancing climate science with economic evidence and operational realities.

The Strategy positions ARV to make more informed investment decisions, integrate climate considerations into procurement and capital planning, and support actions that deliver long-term economic benefits—such as reduced operating costs, avoided disruptions, and opportunities for new or enhanced revenue streams.

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