Winter: A Season of Contrasts and Adaptations
Winter profoundly transforms the landscape. The slopes are smoothed out by the snow, temperatures plummet, and nature enters a period of rest in which conserving energy is the order of the day. But winter is also the season for activities like ski touring and snowshoeing, which bring human presence to areas where wildlife, for its part, seeks above all tranquility.
This coexistence highlights two very different dynamics: on one hand, nature slowing down, limiting its movements, and focusing its efforts on survival; on the other, human activities that allow us to explore these same spaces, often along broader and more mobile routes. This is a season when wildlife is particularly vulnerable, and therefore one in which coexistence requires special attention.
It is an ideal season to rediscover the landscapes and the treasures of ingenuity that living creatures display to adapt to the most extreme conditions.
Observing Nature in Winter
Winter is a season of conservation.
As you walk along the trails, keep your eyes peeled:
- animal tracks in the fresh snow
- the flights of bearded vultures along the rocky ridges
- snow crystals viewed through a magnifying glass
- herds of ibex on rocky ledges
- colorful lichens visible on tree trunks or rocks exposed by the snow
- the calls of yellow-billed choughs that accompany you on your climbs
Every outing becomes an opportunity to interpret the mountain in a new way, through its contours and curves.
Understanding what’s at stake
Winter is a critical time for living organisms, when survival becomes the primary concern.
This is when resources become scarce and many species adopt strategies to conserve energy. Some hibernate, while others limit their movements or gather in more favorable areas. Plants, for their part, enter a state of dormancy to protect their tissues from the cold and frost.
In the mountains, chamois descend toward the forests and sunny slopes, ibex roam the ledges in search of the few tufts of grass still accessible, while mountain hares and ermines adapt their fur and movements to blend into the snow and minimize the risks posed by predators.
This demanding season often determines the species’ ability to restart their life cycle in the spring. Every expenditure of energy, every flight reflex, comes at a high cost to the animal’s future.
To preserve natural habitats during this season :
- stay on existing tracks or marked trails to minimize disturbance to wildlife
- do not try to follow an animal if you encounter one; let it move away undisturbed,
- keep your dogs on a leash, as animals are particularly sensitive in winter
- respect designated quiet zones
These simple actions directly help preserve biodiversity in a winter mountain setting, where many different activities coexist.
Discover the actions that make a difference every day, so you can share natural environments and fully enjoy the great outdoors.
Did you know?
Snow acts as a natural insulator: beneath its surface, the ground temperature often remains close to 0°C, even when the air temperature is well below freezing.
This protection allows many plants and microorganisms to survive the winter, while certain animal species also use this cover to protect themselves from the cold and wind. This is the case with the black grouse, which buries itself in the snow by digging a temporary shelter called a “snow igloo,” where it spends the coldest periods sheltered from the elements.
