Gletschergrotte (Glacier Cave)

The Gletschergrotte in Saas-Fee, usually known as the Ice Pavilion, is a cave carved into the glacier at the top of the Metro Alpin funicular, at around 3,500 metres on the Mittelallalin. It is the high point of a visit to the glacier world above the village, and because it is made of real glacier ice it feels unlike any other attraction in the area. The route is straightforward: the Metro Alpin, an underground funicular railway that runs through a tunnel inside the mountain, carries visitors from the village of Saas-Fee up to the Mittelallalin station, and from there a short walk leads to the cave. The funicular is said to be one of the highest of its kind in the world.

Inside, passages and chambers have been cut into the ice of the Fee Glacier, with walls and ceilings of translucent blue and white. The ice is hundreds of years old, and as it compresses under its own weight it takes on a deep blue colour, because it absorbs the red end of the spectrum and scatters blue. Lighting shows off the crystalline texture and the layers formed by successive snowfalls. In places, ice sculptures and small exhibits are carved into the walls, and information boards explain how glaciers form and move, why they are retreating and what that means for the Alps. The temperature inside is below freezing, with a quiet and slightly echoing atmosphere, so warm clothing is advisable even in summer.

The pavilion is also an educational place. The glacier is a moving river of ice, and the structure must be reshaped every year as the ice flows and melts, so the cave is a way to see the glacier from within. Staff and signs explain safety and the need for conservation. Outside, a viewing terrace and restaurant at the Mittelallalin station offer panoramas of the surrounding four-thousanders, among them the Dom, the Täschhorn and the Allalinhorn, and in good conditions a long view over the Pennine Alps. The glacier area above the station is used for summer skiing and snowboarding, and for guided glacier walks.

The altitude requires care. At 3,500 metres the air is thin, and some visitors feel breathless or dizzy, so move slowly and drink water. Check the weather and the operating times of the funicular, which can change with the season and conditions, and expect cold temperatures even on a sunny day. The facility is open to a wide range of visitors, but the steps and uneven ice may be difficult for people with mobility problems.

The cave suits families, glacier fans and anyone curious about high-mountain environments. It makes a good half-day trip from Saas-Fee, particularly on a clear morning.