Advancing risk management in winter outdoor recreation and tourism through long-term visitor and avalanche hazard monitoring – a case study of the Tatra Mountains, Poland

Abstract ID: 3.13521
| Accepted as Talk
| Abstract is registered
| 2025-09-15 16:50 - 16:58 (+2min)
Taczanowska, K. (1)
Bielanski, M. (2); and Reiweger, I. (3)
(1) BOKU University, Peter-Jordan-Strasse, 1190 Vienna, AT
(2) University of Physical Culture, Institute of Tourism, Krakow, Poland
(3) BOKU University, Institute of Mountain Risk Engineering, Vienna, Austria
How to cite: Taczanowska, K.; Bielanski, M.; and Reiweger, I.: Advancing risk management in winter outdoor recreation and tourism through long-term visitor and avalanche hazard monitoring - a case study of the Tatra Mountains, Poland, International Mountain Conference 2025, Innsbruck, Sep 14 - 18 2025, #IMC25-3.13521, 2025.
Categories: Cryo- & Hydrosphere, Hazards, Monitoring, Sustainable Development, Tourism
Keywords: winter tourism, outdoor recreation, visitor monitoring, avalanche hazard, cryosphere
Categories: Cryo- & Hydrosphere, Hazards, Monitoring, Sustainable Development, Tourism
Keywords: winter tourism, outdoor recreation, visitor monitoring, avalanche hazard, cryosphere
Abstract

Winter nature-based outdoor activities like ski touring, snowshoeing, and winter hiking are steadily growing in importance. Mountain destinations offer a wide range of recreational opportunities while at the same time fostering appreciation for nature and enhancing avalanche hazard awareness. Managing avalanche risks and ensuring visitors’ safety require understanding both: avalanche hazards and visitor behavior to implement effective risk management strategies.

Therefore, our study aims to investigate determinants of avalanche risk and support preparedness planning, based on systematic long-term visitor and avalanche hazard monitoring in the Tatra National Park, Poland. Our work is based upon empirical data collected between 2018-2024: daily visitor counts, avalanche accidents records, meteorological data and avalanche danger level. The results show visitation patterns and avalanche accidents determinants. To conclude, systematic long-term monitoring of avalanche risk determinants is necessary to develop successful risk management strategies in winter nature-based tourism and need to be integrated within a broader sustainable mountain tourism development .