Chiaupe Glacier, Alpine glacier in Champagny-en-Vanoise, France.

The Chiaupe Glacier begins at about 3,200 metres on the western face of the Bellecôte summit in the Vanoise massif and runs some 500 to 600 metres west, ending at a front around 3,000 metres. A 150-metre ice cave, cut by hand and extending 80 metres into the ice, opens in that front. The glacier lies on Palaeozoic arkose, and four small lakes have formed around the former Bellecôte cable-car station.

The Bellecôte gondola reached 3,030 metres at the glacier's foot in 1975, and by late 1978 a chairlift and three ski lifts served six runs there. Summer skiing began in 1979. The lifts were dismantled from 1996, and in summer 2023 the remaining chairlifts and 2,430 metres of cable were removed.

Since summer 2005 a 150-metre ice cave has been cut by hand into the glacier front, running 80 metres inside the ice, with ice sculptures that about 30,000 visitors admire each year. Because the glacier barely moves, it is not re-dug annually but simply retrimmed and the sculptures refreshed as needed.

You can reach the site on foot during summer or with ski equipment in winter if you have mountain experience. The routes are demanding, and visitors should prepare well and bring appropriate gear for the alpine environment.

The cave was cut by hand into the glacier front from summer 2005, runs 150 metres long and reaches 80 metres into the ice. Ice sculptures inside are refreshed as needed, and about 30,000 visitors come each year. Because the glacier barely moves, it is not re-dug annually but only retouched.