Visit the ice cave at Les 2 Alpes

It was in 1993 that the first ice cave was imagined and created by two French mountaineers, Bruno GARDENT and Bernard LAMBOLEZ, after their visit to the Mer de Glace. They founded the "Société des Grottes de la Meije" and surrounded themselves with " grottus", the courageous people who create the underground passages with the strength of their arms (often ski instructors in resorts who create the caves during the low season) and sculptors from all over France to create true works of art.

Because of global warming, the ice cave has been moved to make it more durable and, above all, safer to visit, following the drop in the ice level, which created an opening that let in the heat and melted the sculptures.

How do I get to the ice cave?

From Les 2 Alpes resort, take the Jandri Express cable car, then the funicular railway. The climb takes around 50 minutes.

Climbing the glacier at Les 2 Alpes isn't just about visiting the ice cave - it's a whole experience for the whole family, and it starts as soon as you get on the gondola.

When you get off the Jandri Express, which will take you to an altitude of 3,200 metres, you can already admire the magnificent glacier in both winter and summer (with less snow in summer, but no less spectacular!). You will then have to take the funicular to reach the cave at an altitude of 3,400 metres. You'll have to take a lift, and what's quite astonishing is that it descends underground, making it an already incredible experience to reach this ice cave.

The funicular travels at 30km/h and passes under the glacier. You will be 100 metres under the ice, under 30 metres of rock and around 70 metres of glacier. The height of the glacier varies according to the season and weather conditions (more or less scorching). You will then arrive at the Belvédère des Ecrins at 3400 m. As you leave the funicular, you can already admire the superb view of the mountains, and there are even tables and chairs for picnics (more in summer). After a short climb of a few metres, there is a 360-degree viewpoint with an orientation table. Can you find your way around?

You can then walk across the glacier to the Belvedere. In summer, remember to wear waterproof footwear, as the snow may be a little melted and you could end up with soaked feet.

Don't hesitate to take a few minutes to admire the breathtaking views from the Belvedere.

If you're lucky with the weather, you'll be able to see Mont Blanc.

Once you've picked up your ticket, all you have to do is step into the glacier to begin your visit down a 200-metre long corridor carved out of the ice.

Your visit has already begun, and don't just look ahead, but also to the sides, as animals are sculpted at the beginning of the corridor. Depending on when you visit, you can watch the extreme sculptors in action, creating these fabulous works of art live.

You can turn around the mammoth and its calf and admire all the details of this sculpture, which is 6 metres high and 10 metres wide and weighs 10 tonnes of ice. Triceratops and other dinosaurs can also be seen in the 2 Alpes ice cave. The ice sculptures are lit up to show off their relief and depth.

On leaving the cave, you'll enjoy a new view of the mountain and glacier.

You can eat in the high-altitude restaurant Le Refuge des Glaciers. The view is one of the best in the resort of Les 2 Alpes and the food is very good, or you can pay directly at the entrance to the cave, in cash or by cheque.

There is no accommodation at this altitude, but you can stay close to the Jandri Express gondola at the Hôtel Cote Brune, with its swimming pool and spa.