Mountains are considered as climate change hotspots, experiencing nearly twice the global average temperature increase. In some specific areas of the Italian Alps, water scarcity has emerged as a clear indicator of this ongoing transformation. High-altitude mountain huts serve as sentinels of climate change, as they are situated in fragile environments where sustaining life is challenging, and resources such as energy, water, and food are limited and difficult to transport. Their efficient operation depends on careful and well-balanced water and energy management. In our research study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 mountain hut managers and 3 decision-makers from the Eastern Alps of Italy to explore the resilience strategies they employ to balance competing objectives: providing good quality tourist services while managing water rationing. The selected huts are located in diverse environments, altitude and geographic areas in the Autonomous Province of Trento, providing different perspectives on the issue of water management and highlighting the varied challenges and adaptive strategies employed in response to water scarcity. The study explored the practices, perceptions, and values of actors revolving around alpine refuge showing how people in water-stressed environments perceive changes in the mountain ecosystem, consider the ongoing challenges and think about sustainability, constantly balancing trade-offs among competing needs, such as resource conservation, tourist services, and long-term ecological resilience. The interviews provided insights into various conservation activities, as well as concerns regarding the lack of long-term planning and crisis-driven water management. They also highlighted the needs and survival strategies adopted by hut managers, along with the changing dynamics driven by the evolving alpine climate.