First "Virtual Reality Glacier Experience" Visitor Center Opens
From October 10, 2020, the "Virtual Reality Glacier Experience" will offer visitors a globally unique, virtual journey through time around the Morteratsch Glacier. The experience attraction is made possible by the Graubündner Kantonalbank (GKB) as part of its 150th anniversary.
The interactive exhibition Virtual Reality Glacier Experience provides answers around the topics of glaciers and water and takes visitors on a journey through space and time. Interested visitors can immerse themselves in the past and the future and experience the area around the Morteratsch glacier in four virtual tours. The retreat of the glacier tongue is shown on the basis of different climate scenarios. It is made clear what would be possible with the MortAlive glacier maintenance project by glaciologist Felix Keller. The idea of MortAlive: to snow the glacier tongue in summer with technical snow from meltwater and thus protect the ice layer. And all this without electricity.
"With the new attraction, we are thus vividly raising awareness of glacier melt as well as the need for pioneering action. Sound science paired with state-of-the-art knowledge transfer forms exactly the innovation that Graubündner Kantonalbank wants to support," says GKB CEO Daniel Fust. Whether large or small, local or international, this topic concerns everyone.For its anniversary, the Graubündner Kantonalbank, together with renowned partners, has created a place that makes climate mathematics tangible. Over the past two years, an attraction has been created in the former restaurant at the Diavolezza valley station that - in the spirit of the bank's anniversary - is intended to set a lasting example: "Thanks to the virtual glacier experience, visitors learn how important the issue of drainage is around the world and what thought is being given in Graubünden to meeting this challenge locally," says bank president Peter Fanconi. In the midst of rugged nature and the imposing Bernina massif, such a visitor center achieves the optimum effect, because here one is at the scene of the action.
 Time travel around glaciers and water The interactive exhibition shows what impact climate change is having on the high mountains. "As the bank of the people of Graubünden, we naturally act in the interests of the economy, but always in harmony with nature and the environment," explains Daniel Fust. And he goes on to emphasize: "Water is the lifeline of the canton, ice has shaped our valleys, the mineral water is among the best, and hydropower reliably supplies us with energy." On around 250 square meters, visitors experience a journey through time from the past to the future. Possible scenarios for the change of the Morteratsch glacier from 1875 to 2100 can be discovered with virtual reality glasses or on the holoscreen. Visitors can actively participate and, for example, help count the ptarmigans. A Swiss innovation is also tangible in the VR Glacier Experience: NESSy ZeroE. The patented snow lance produces technical snow without electricity. The importance of this invention is made clear by MortAlive, a project for worldwide glacier rescue. Experience science up close The scientifically based exhibition was made possible by close collaboration with the Zurich University of the Arts and the University of Fribourg. Together, they developed detailed glacier models over the past two years and created the virtual world around the Morteratsch Glacier in Pontresina. From October 10, 2020, the Virtual Reality Glacier Experience at the Diavolezza cable car valley station will be open daily for individuals, families and groups. Admission is free of charge.
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