Environmental (Commonwealth Union)_ On an unseasonably warm July day in 2022, seasoned mountain guide Andrea Milani paused for lunch near the Passo Fedaia ascent in the Italian Dolomites. As he enjoyed a pizza with two friends, the whir of helicopters overhead and the wailing of ambulance sirens shattered the peaceful scene. Just moments earlier, a colossal 80-meter-wide and 25-meter-high chunk of the Marmolada Glacier had broken loose, unleashing a devastating avalanche of ice, snow, and rock. Tragedy struck as 11 climbers lost their lives. Milani’s friends, who had descended the same route just hours earlier, were among the fortunate survivors.
“The reality is undeniable climate change is making glacier travel increasingly perilous,” Milani explains. As a guide for Dolomite Mountains tours, he helps adventurers safely traverse the dramatic landscapes of Northern Italy. But rising temperatures are causing the snow that once concealed crevasses and seracs to thin unpredictably, making the terrain more treacherous than ever before.
The broader implications are staggering. By 2050, one-third of the world’s glaciers could vanish, and for Marmolada, the timeline is even more dire it may disappear as soon as 2040. Recognizing the urgency of the crisis, the United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. In partnership with UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization, it has also declared 21 March 2025 as the inaugural World Day for Glaciers. These initiatives seek to mobilize governments and organizations worldwide to curb greenhouse gas emissions and implement climate adaptation strategies, safeguarding the planet’s 200,000 glaciers against an unprecedented warming trend.
“Human-caused climate change has melted such vast amounts of glacier ice that the resulting meltwater has already raised global sea levels by eight centimeters since 1900,” warns Patrick Gonzalez, former principal climate change scientist for the U.S. National Park Service and assistant director for climate and biodiversity at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The catastrophe at Marmolada is just one chapter in a global narrative of glacier loss. Bolivia’s 18,000-year-old Chacaltaya Glacier, once home to the world’s highest ski resort, has disappeared entirely. The Matterhorn’s melting ice forced Italy and Switzerland to redraw their shared border in 2023. Meanwhile, at Muir Glacier in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park, climate change has eroded a layer of ice as tall as New York’s One World Trade Center.
These massive, slow-moving rivers of ice formed over centuries and are present on every continent except Australia, serving as undeniable evidence of human-induced climate change. If all glaciers were to melt, sea levels would surge by half a meter, submerging coastal cities, disrupting ecosystems, and leaving two billion people without access to vital freshwater supplies.
However, travelers still have the opportunity to witness these majestic formations before they disappear, provided they do so responsibly. Studies indicate that firsthand encounters with glaciers can inspire greater environmental consciousness. As symbols of our planet’s fragility, glaciers remind us that simple actions such as opting for sustainable transport, reducing energy consumption, and investing in renewable energy can collectively curb global warming.
Notable Glaciers to Visit Before They’re Gone
Wapta Icefield, British Columbia, Canada
A haven for mountaineers, skiers, and nature enthusiasts, the Wapta Icefield straddles the Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies. This vast expanse is a remnant of an ice mass that once blanketed much of western Canada’s mountains. Visitors can board the Ice Explorer train to Athabasca Glacier, where the glass-bottomed Columbia Icefield Skywalk offers breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls and agile mountain goats perched on the cliffs.
For the adventurous, guided glacier climbs with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures provide an immersive experience, covering glacier dynamics, route-finding, and risk management. “Crevasses are the primary hazard,” says Yamnuska guide Jesse de Montigny. “They can be deceptively hidden beneath snow, and sudden weather changes can make navigation treacherous. Mastering rope systems and crevasse rescue techniques is essential for safe glacier travel.”
Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska
Alaska, home to over 100,000 glaciers, is often referred to as the “Glacier State.” Mendenhall Glacier, located inside the Tongass National Forest just 19 kilometers from Juneau, is one of the few accessible by road. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center provides a gateway to breathtaking views, though excessive melting recently has made helicopter tours the best way to explore the ice field. Visitors can opt for a flightseeing tour or guided hikes via Alaska Shore Excursions.
However, federal funding cuts in March 2024 led to staff layoffs at the glacier’s visitor center, even as the tourist season approached. Meanwhile, the Juneau Icefield is now melting five times faster than it was in the 1980s.
Marmolada Glacier, Italian Dolomites
Known as the “Queen of the Dolomites,” Marmolada offers an unforgettable alpine experience. A cable car ride to its summit provides panoramic views, and thrill-seekers can ski down its slopes or visit the highest museum in Europe to learn about the World War I tunnels carved into the glacier by Austro-Hungarian soldiers.
Mountain guide Andrea Milani stresses the importance of preparation when traversing glaciers. “Glacier mountaineering isn’t just about skill; it requires respect, awareness, and experience,” he says. His top safety tips include maintaining an 8-12 meter rope distance from fellow climbers, checking avalanche forecasts, and carrying essential survival equipment, including a self-rescue kit, GPS, compass, altimeter, and satellite phone. “Crevasses can be deceptive,” he warns. “Always assess snow bridges before stepping on them, and never linger under seracs or avalanche-prone zones longer than necessary.”
Mer de Glace, France
France’s Mer de Glace, or “Sea of Ice,” is the second-largest glacier in the Alps, after Switzerland’s Aletsch Glacier. Though it has lost six meters of thickness annually, a new gondola system now offers visitors an easier way to access its breathtaking icy expanse. From a 1,913-meter-high panoramic platform, travelers can marvel at the glacier’s mesmerizing blue hue, which results from its unique light absorption properties. A scenic train from Chamonix town center leads to the gondola, where an on-site restaurant, museum, and ice cave, reshaped each year due to the glacier’s constant movement, offer immersive experiences.
A Call to Preserve Our Icy Heritage
Glaciers stand as both breathtaking natural wonders and fragile testaments to the effects of climate change. As they dwindle at an alarming rate, the time to act is now. Whether through conscious travel, advocacy, or sustainable lifestyle choices, each of us has a role in protecting these frozen giants before they become nothing more than a memory.
