Theodul Glacier, Glacier in Zermatt, Switzerland
Theodul Glacier is a glacier on the border between Switzerland and Italy, above Zermatt in the canton of Valais, with two lobes descending from the Breithorn massif. It sits at around 11,500 feet (3,500 m) and is one of the few glaciers in the Alps with groomed ski runs that remain open throughout the year.
The Theodul Glacier shaped the valley below Zermatt during the ice age and was known for centuries as a natural crossing point through the Alps. The Theodul Pass, which runs across the glacier, was used as a route linking the valleys on both sides of the mountains since ancient times.
The Theodul Glacier sits directly on the Swiss-Italian border, making it one of the few places where you can ski from one country into another. Visitors regularly cross on skis from the Swiss side near Zermatt over to the Italian resort of Breuil-Cervinia.
The glacier is reached by gondolas and cable cars from Zermatt, which bring visitors up to the Plateau Rosa where the ski runs are located. It is best to go in the morning, as weather at this altitude can shift quickly and visibility often drops in the afternoon.
Several small lakes have formed at the edge of the glacier since the 1980s, including Theodulgletschersee, which is considered the highest lake of its size in Switzerland. These lakes appeared as the ice pulled back and left hollows in the rock that filled with meltwater.
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