ANDERMATT, Switzerland – A ski resort here spread high-tech reflective foil over the tip of a glacier Tuesday to prevent it from melting this summer.
As temperatures have gradually risen in recent decades, the Andermatt (search) resort has watched the annual disappearance of a strip of snow connecting a ski lift with the Gurschen glacier, nearly 10,000 feet above sea level.
A resort statement said that in the past 15 years, the Gurschen glacier (search) has sunk about 20 yards, and without artificial help, it would be impossible to reach the runs at the beginning of the winter season.
Previously the ski resort had to build a ramp and use machines to rebuild the connecting strip with early snowfall.
The cover is to be removed at the start of the ski season in the fall and then re-laid in May 2006, officials said.
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