Schneeferner

Schneeferner is a glacier on the Zugspitze in Germany and sits at around 2580 meters (8465 feet) elevation between the rocky slopes of the mountain. The ice surfaces stretch across two separate areas and are surrounded by steep rock walls and scree fields.

In the 16th century during the Little Ice Age the glacier reached its greatest extent and covered wide parts of the Zugspitze plateau. Since then the ice has retreated continuously, especially strongly in recent decades.

The name refers to the snow field that once covered the southern slopes and served as a natural landmark for mountaineers. Today visitors see the shrinking ice surfaces as a visible sign of climatic changes that become especially clear in the Alps.

The glacier is accessible via the Zugspitze railway, which runs daily from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the summit. Warm clothing and sturdy footwear are necessary, as wind and cold are noticeable even in summer at this elevation.

In 2022 the southern part officially lost its glacier status because the thickness of the ice dropped below two meters (6.5 feet) in most areas. Scientists have used measurements at this site for decades to document the speed of glacier retreat.