Life in the Alps can be challenging but rewarding with its views and connection to nature.
Imagine living at an elevation of 7,000 ft where summers are lush and green, but winters are cold, long and snowy. Alpine villages overlook the valley down below and can range in population from only several hundred inhabitants to a couple thousand. Locals have learned to adapt to the environment through hard-work, resilience and creativity.
Larch trees are native to the Swiss Alps. Their wood is naturally insect-resistant, durable and waterproof. As a result, it is a great resource for the construction of chalets, or alpine houses.
Securing the basic necessities can be a challenge when living in Alpine villages, due to limited mobility in and out. Accessing medical care can be a challenge due to the remoteness of villages and lack of physicians in rural areas. Due to their elevation, Alpine villages are also most vulnerable to avalanches, rockfalls and landslides. Response to these natural disasters highlights the challenge of mobility to and from the villages.
