The culture of the Valmalenco has developed expertise and craft from ancient times and not only maintained a close link with the typical Alpine economy, based on agriculture and stock breeding, but has also expanded to take in some specific crafts linked, for example, to the seasonal emigration (muléta, magnàn) and to the extraction and processing of stone. There have been considerable spin-offs on the economy, thanks to the flourishing trade of traditional and dairy products, which the territory was able to develop and to the export of seasonal labour, especially while the valley represented a corridor directly connecting with Switzerland.

The numerous facets of work in the Valmalenco continue to make up part of the local economy and a considerable cultural substratum, which the Ecomuseum intends to introduce and give value to as unique features of this Alpine valley.