Swiss Glacier Adventures: Where to Find Ice in Summer

Think glaciers are only a winter wonder? Reconsider quickly. Summer hardly melts the magic of alpine glaciers in Switzerland. Frozen vistas in July and August allow treks across glacial ice or rides on cable cars over vast expanses. These Swiss destinations offer an unforgettable escape from summer heat for overseas adventurers, photographers, and nature lovers.

Switzerland's top glacier spots await your arrival in summer. Glacial ice and travel info from nearby airports are readily available in this Swiss Glacier Adventures guide.

1. Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

Nearest Airport: Bern Airport
Distance: ~68.91 miles (to Grindelwald)
Travel Time:

• Train: 3 hrs 40 mins
• Bus: 4 hrs
• Taxi: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Private Bern Limousine Service: 1 hour – CHF 307.1

Jungfraujoch railway station is very high at 3454 m, Europe's highest. Journeying through snow tunnels alongside the stunning Aletsch Glacier remains essential for any ardent traveler traversing such dramatic icy landscapes. Temperatures stay below freezing even during hot summer months outside. Snow park and glacier plateau are amidst perpetual snow, and you can thoroughly explore the Ice Palace.

2. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Zermatt

Nearest Airport: Zurich Airport
Distance: ~230 km
Travel Time:

• Train: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Bus: 5 hrs
• Taxi: 5 hrs
• Private Zurich Chauffeur Sevrice: 4 hours 53 mins – CHF 1259.9

Ride the cable car, Europe's highest, almost silently up steep mountainsides reaching Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at an alarmingly high 3883 meters. Panoramic platform affords a stunning vista of 38 majestic peaks amidst 14 glaciers. You'll amble through crystalline ice caverns beneath the glacier palace while snowboarders and skiers recklessly carve up summer slopes.

Note: Zermatt is car-free. You must transfer to electric taxis or trains at Täsch.

3. Titlis Glacier – Engelberg

Nearest Airport: Zurich Airport
Distance: ~104 km
Travel Time:

• Train: 2 hrs 15 mins
   
• Bus: 2 hrs 45 mins
• Taxi: 1 hr 30 mins
• Private Zurich Limousine Service: 1 hour 19 mins – CHF 416.05

Mount Titlis rises 3020 meters into the air, offering surreal summer glacier thrills aboard the world's first rotating cable car mechanism. Glacier Cave snow tubing and Cliff Walk suspension bridge guarantee an action-packed icy escapade even during sweltering summer months.

4. Rhône Glacier – Furka Pass

Nearest Airport: Sion Airport
Distance: ~104.43 miles
Travel Time:

• Train + Bus: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Taxi: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Private Sion Airport transfer: 1 hour 19 mins – CHF 416.05

The Rhône Glacier, the source of the famous Rhône River, lies among a few glaciers accessible directly by road. Inside a glacier, a person travels through a manmade icy tunnel. Scenic drives along Furka Pass unfold amidst breathtaking mountain vistas and snowcapped peaks rising.

5. Aletsch Glacier – Fiesch

Nearest Airport: Sion Airport
Distance: ~104.43 miles
Travel Time:

• Train: 3 hrs
• Bus: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Taxi: 2 hrs 45 mins
• Private Chauffeur: 1 hour 19 mins – CHF 416.05

Aletsch Glacier sprawls 23 km long as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Alps. Fiescheralp offers a cable car ride down to Eggishorn, boasting breathtaking views, or a grueling hike along trails eerily blanketed with frozen scenery.

6. Glacier 3000 – Les Diablerets

Nearest Airport: Sion Airport
Distance: ~78.68 miles
Travel Time:

• Train + Bus: 2 hrs 45 mins
• Taxi: 1 hr 45 mins
• Private Chauffeur: 1 hour 3 mins – CHF 342.25

Glacier 3000 boasts thrilling activities, including summer skiing and dog sledding near Gstaad, with Peak Walk by Tissot being a suspension bridge linking two mountain peaks. The Glacier ice cap stays intact all year round, making it a super cool retreat from the blistering valley sun during summer.

7. Corvatsch Glacier – Silvaplana/St. Moritz

Nearest Airport: St. Moritz Airport
Distance: ~14.1 km
Travel Time:

• Bus: 40 mins
• Taxi: 35 mins
• Private St. Moritz transfer service: 29 mins – CHF 131.15

The Corvatsch Glacier, nestled deep in Engadin Valley, offers exhilarating summer snow hikes and vistas of glacial ice. Ride Europe's loftiest mountain station at an elevation of 3,303 m amidst Eastern Alps scenery. Even during July, the air feels chilly, and the view stretches eerily towards the Bernina Range.

8. Trift Glacier – Gadmen

Nearest Airport: Zurich Airport
Distance: ~19.80 miles
Travel Time:

• Train + Bus: 40 mins
• Taxi: 50
• Private Chauffeur: 29 mins – CHF 131.15

Trift Glacier gains notoriety largely due to Trift Bridge, a notably lengthy suspension bridge traversed by pedestrians within Alpine regions. Glacier remnants remain visible during summer treks, albeit having receded substantially over time. Alpine lakes and dramatic cliffs abound in the surrounding area.

9. Fee Glacier – Saas-Fee

Nearest Airport: Geneva Airport
Distance: ~220 km
Travel Time:

• Train + Bus: 1 hr
• Taxi: 30 mins
• Private Geneva Limousine Service: 29 mins – CHF 163.95

Saas-Fee village sits against a massive glacier backdrop. Underground Metro Alpin whisks passengers towards the Mittelallalin ice pavilion. Glacier hiking and snow tubing are huge draws during warmer months here, amidst summer weather conditions.

10. Morteratsch Glacier – Pontresina

Nearest Airport: Zurich Airport
Distance: ~19.80 miles
Travel Time:

• Train: 40 mins
• Taxi:  hrs
• Private Zurich Airport transfer: 29 mins – CHF 131.15

Morteratsch glacier is reachable on foot and remains majestic. A trail marked with signs and wooden posts offers historical insights into its retreat. Crackling ice echoes feet as one approaches a frozen glacial snout slowly descending steep mountainous terrain.

Final Thoughts

Switzerland glacier adventures prove ice doesn’t need winter to shine. Icy escapes nestled around glacial lakes, Morteratsch and Rhône, and high-altitude platforms, Jungfraujoch and Matterhorn, offer respite from sweltering heat.

Reaching super remote glaciers becomes easy with dependable Swiss transport via scenic train rides or super flexible bus services. Whatever your travel style, there's a glacier ready to chill you in a fantastically awesome cold manner.