Due to the high elevation, steep relief, debris covered slopes and intense frost action, alpine landscapes are characterized by the widespread occurrence of mass movements such as. rock falls, landslides, debris flows, solifluction and permafrost creep. Theses processes strongly influence soil development, vegetation patterns and the life of human beings and animals (natural hazards). Alpine soils are highly variable and have different characteristics compared to lowland soils. Beside being influenced by climatic factors and their variation with altitude, soils depend very much on the relief and the characteristics of the parent material. These materials are not only related to geology, but also to landscape history and geomorphology. Future climate change will have severe consequences on these landscape dynamics and soil development.