Switzerland protects the Alps with a blanket
High in the heart of the Swiss Alps, where ancient ice has carved valleys for millennia, a quiet ritual unfolds each summer. In the shadow of towering peaks, locals and scientists come together to wrap the Rhône Glacier—one of Switzerland’s most iconic ice masses—in massive white blankets.
The documentary tells the story of an extraordinary act of protection and hope. As climate change accelerates glacial melt across the globe, Switzerland has adopted a surprisingly simple yet symbolic response: covering parts of its glaciers with reflective thermal blankets to slow the loss of ice. The effort is small compared to the scale of the problem, but it speaks volumes.
Following the journey of the community members and glaciologists who trek each year to the melting edge, Switzerland Protects the Alps with a Blanket reveals a nation’s intimate connection with its disappearing glaciers. The film explores the science behind the practice, the challenges of preserving cultural and environmental heritage, and the emotional toll of watching these frozen giants retreat.
At once poetic and urgent, this is a story of human ingenuity, resilience, and the deep love of a people for their mountains.