A life shaped by ice: science, discovery and magic with Urs H. Fischer

When Urs H. Fischer speaks about glaciers, his words carry both the wonder of adventure and the weight of science. For him, icy landscapes are not just places of research – they are living, moving worlds. Ever since his first field studies in the St. Elias Mountains of northern Canada, Urs has devoted his life to understanding glaciers. His career has taken him to the Himalayas, the European Alps, Scandinavia, the Arctic, and now aboard Swan Hellenic voyages. Read on as Urs shares stories of discovery, insights into the life of glaciers, and the unforgettable encounters that await in the Arctic.

"The idea of exploring icy landscapes and doing meaningful research was irresistible!"

Hi Urs! What first sparked your fascination with ice and glaciers?

Urs: It was definitely the thrill of combining science with adventure that drew me in. The idea of exploring icy landscapes and doing meaningful research – it was irresistible!

How did you begin your career as a glaciologist?

Urs: Honestly, it was a mix of coincidence and a lot of good luck. After finishing my physics degree, I knew I wanted to do something that involved fieldwork. So, I started browsing through university programs and stumbled upon glaciology, something I didn’t even know existed at the time. It sounded totally exciting. I applied, got in, and ended up working with one of the best in the field, in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. That was it, I was hooked!

Can you take us back to your first field campaign in the St. Elias Mountains in 1989 – what do you remember most vividly?

Urs: It is not just one moment; it is the whole experience that is still etched in my memory. I had just moved from small-town Ontario to Vancouver, which was already a big change. Then came the first trip to the Yukon: my first helicopter flight, setting up camp deep in the remote St. Elias Mountains, surrounded by glaciers and towering snow-covered peaks... it was awe-inspiring. Everything was new, the learning curve was steep, but it was incredibly rewarding.

How did that first encounter with endless ice fields change the course of your life?

Urs: That experience lit the spark. It gave me a lasting passion for cold places and a lifelong commitment to glaciology. I realized just how strong that passion was when I took a short detour from research and worked for two years with Swiss railway companies. It didn’t take long to realize that wasn’t the path for me. I needed to get back to the ice. Now, I’m fortunate to focus on glacier and climate processes in my role with the Swiss nuclear waste management organization, studying how future ice ages could shape the long-term geological evolution of Northern Switzerland – a fascinating topic that continues to deepen my understanding of climate dynamics.

You’ve worked in some of the world’s most remote glacial regions. Was there one that challenged you more than others?

Urs: Every region presents its own challenges. For example, the Himalayas. The high altitude was something I was not used to, and I really struggled with altitude sickness on the trek to the glacier. I actually asked to stay an extra day at one of the camps to acclimatize and thank goodness I did. Otherwise, I might have had to turn back. It was a humbling experience, but it also taught me to listen to my body and respect the environment.

How do glaciers serve as indicators of climate change?

Urs: This is something I cover in one of my lectures. Glaciers respond directly to climate through their mass balance, essentially whether they gain or lose ice over time. That balance controls how a glacier flows, and whether it advances or retreats. So, when you see a glacier pulling back over decades, it is a delayed but very visible signal of climate change. It is something anyone can observe with their own eyes.

What’s a common misconception people have about glaciers or polar regions?

Urs: One of the most common misconceptions is that glaciers are static and lifeless, just frozen landscapes that never change. In reality, they are incredibly dynamic! Glaciers are constantly moving, flowing, cracking, and responding to their environment. Another misconception is that polar regions are barren and empty. But spend just a little time there, and you will see they are full of subtle beauty, fascinating wildlife, and complex ecosystems. The silence can be deceiving, there is so much going on if you know where to look.

What excites you most about the Arctic landscapes you’ll be exploring with Swan Hellenic guests?

Urs: Oh, where do I start? Cruising in a Zodiac – or even better, kayaking – in front of a tidewater glacier is such an unforgettable experience. You hear that crackling sound as air bubbles trapped for centuries pop open while ice melts, and then – boom! – a calving event, as huge chunks of ice break off and crash into the sea. It is so powerful, and completely mesmerizing.

"Expect the unexpected – the Arctic has a way of surprising you every single day."

You’re joining the 9-night cruise from Svalbard to Norway. What should guests watch for?

Urs: Expect the unexpected! The Arctic has a way of surprising you every single day, with wildlife, weather, light, and ice. Stay curious and let Svalbard reveal its stories.

On the Roundtrip Cruises to the Edge of the Arctic, what highlights can guests expect?

Urs: Sailing into the pack ice is an absolute highlight. First there is the rumble as the ship pushes through the ice. So powerful and dramatic. Then suddenly, everything goes still. The ship rests against an ice floe, and you find yourself drifting in complete silence through the Arctic Ocean. It is magical.

What are you most looking forward to on these upcoming voyages?

Urs: I am truly excited to share the stunning Arctic landscapes with curious and passionate guests. What excites me most is the chance to witness and explain the breathtaking beauty of the glaciers up close, while fostering a deeper understanding of this fragile environment. Every voyage brings unique moments: the thrill of experiencing an iceberg calving event, the magic of navigating through pristine ice floes, and the shared joy of discovery with guests. I can’t wait to embark on these journeys together and create unforgettable experiences that inspire appreciation and protection of the Arctic.

How do you bring your research into conversations with guests?

Urs: Often it is in the little things, pointing out a moraine, a crevasse, or other glacial features that might otherwise go unnoticed. These are the clues that tell the story of the landscape, and it is incredibly rewarding to help guests start to read them.

What do you find most rewarding when helping cruise guests connect with the landscapes?

Urs: It is those small moments of realization, when someone says, “Oh wow, that’s cool,” or “I didn’t know that.” You can see the spark of understanding, and that connection to the environment begins to grow. That is what makes it all worth it.

What role does storytelling play in your lectures?

Urs: Storytelling is essential. I always weave in historical and personal anecdotes, whether it is something from my own fieldwork or the adventures of early explorers. It brings the science to life and makes the lecture more engaging and relatable for everyone on board.

What message do you hope guests take away from their Arctic cruise experience?

Urs: The Arctic is stunningly beautiful, but also intensely fragile. I hope guests leave with a deep sense of awe and a stronger appreciation for why this environment needs our protection.

How do you blend adventure and science in your approach to exploration?

Urs: For me, the adventure and the science have always gone hand in hand. The thrill of venturing into remote, icy landscapes is what first drew me to glaciology, but it is the scientific curiosity that keeps me going. Fieldwork is like detective work in extreme conditions: you are collecting data, solving puzzles, and trying to understand how glaciers behave. Whether I am jumping across a crevasse or setting up instruments on a windy glacier, every bit of adventure feeds into the science, and every scientific question leads to a new adventure.

Has your work in glaciology changed the way you see the world?

Urs: Absolutely. I have seen firsthand how rapidly glaciers are shrinking, how much the environment is changing, and how urgent it is that we act. It is deeply concerning, and it has changed how I think about everything from policy to personal responsibility.

What qualities does a glaciologist need in extreme environments?

Urs: You need to be resilient and adaptable and not easily discouraged. Glaciological fieldwork is tough. Things will go wrong. But if you can stay positive and keep pushing forward, the rewards are incredible.

What still inspires you each time you head into a frozen landscape?

Urs: It is the pristine beauty. No matter how many times I return, I am always struck by the silence, the vastness, and the raw power of the ice. It still takes my breath away.