Tourism has had profound impacts on Alpine communities. Changes in the inhabitants'' way of life in their quest for a financially more rewarding pursuit are reviewed and residents'' attitudes in four Austrian alpine communities regarding changes in family life, community welfare, community growth, and the environment are examined. The current situation regarding the importance of economic considerations and continued growth, as opposed to non-economic values, environmental considerations, and intangible elements, such as community well-being and the sociability of people, is analyzed against the backdrop of societal changes and characteristics of these communities.