Résumé
Over the past half-century, the Upper Tarentaise region has evolved into one of the largest ski areas in the world. Previously, it was a mountainous region primarily dedicated to livestock farming, specializing in the production of Beaufort and Tomme cheeses, made from the milk of Tarine cows, a breed particularly well-suited to the regional environment. Due to its geomorphological origins, Upper Tarentaise is characterized by a complex network of glacial valleys, bordered by hanging valleys and overlooked by high-altitude watersheds, segmented by rocky outcrops and thresholds. This unique topography has given rise to a system of vertical transhumance, where herds move between high-altitude alpine meadows (above 1,500–2,000 meters) in summer and the valley floors and slopes (between 800 and 1,500 meters) in spring and autumn. Most villages are also located in these lower areas. During winter, the herds remain in barns, fed with harvested hay. The transformation of Upper Tarentaise is driven by economic development, demographic growth, and urban expansion associated with winter tourism. These changes impact grazing areas, landscapes, and local society, which now benefits from new tourism opportunities. This transition affects the local economy, the region's future prospects, and the environment, all within the framework of innovative national and European public policies and evolving social and cultural constraints.