Swiss Rhône Glacier ice cave ordered closed

People visit the Rhone Glacier, which is protected in summer by tarpaulins to prevent it from melting. © KEYSTONE / URS FLUEELER

The Valais cantonal government has rejected an appeal by the operator of the Rhône Glacier ice cave against an order that it restore the site and cease tourist operations. The attraction had been the subject of controversy for several years.

This tunnel, re-carved every spring, allows visitors to immerse themselves in the heart of the glacier. Operated for several generations by an Upper Valais family that charges admission, it has been highly successful, attracting up to 100,000 visitors per year.

However, three years ago, the Swiss Foundation for Landscape Conservation stepped in. It raised concerns about the environmental impact of the plastic tarpaulins spread over the glacier tongue to slow its melting, fearing microplastic pollution. The foundation also denounced the fact that the tunnel had been excavated without any official authorisation.

Furthermore, the submission this summer of a petition backed by more than 10,000 signatures helped strengthen these demands.

This complaint prompted a reaction from the Valais authorities. The cantonal construction commission ordered the removal of the plastic tarpaulins and demanded that work on excavating the tunnel be stopped immediately. In August 2025, it also issued an order requiring the site to be restored to its original condition.

Plastic tarpaulins removed

While the plastic tarpaulins have been removed, with the environmental department verifying this during an inspection last month, nothing has been done regarding the restoration of the site. The operator had filed an appeal. According to information seen by Swiss public radio RTS, that appeal has now been rejected by the authorities. The government considers that both the tunnel and the tarpaulins installed on the glacier should have been subject to prior authorisation.

It also maintains that such authorisation could not have been granted in this area, which is protected as a nationally significant alluvial plain.

The operator now has 30 days to appeal to the cantonal court.

As a result, the ice cave can no longer be operated in practice. In its ruling, the government lifted the suspensive effect of any appeal to the cantonal court, meaning the closure order remains enforceable even if a further appeal is filed.

Contacted for comment, the operator declined to make any statement. However, it remains determined to fight the case. In August, the cantonal construction commission also notified the operator that they were prohibited from using the footpath leading to the cave because of the risk of falling rocks. The operator has already launched an appeal against that decision before the cantonal court.

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Translated from French, reviewed by an English Department journalist.