The glacier Gursen (Gortenfern) is located in the Swiss Canton of URI and refers to Gotthardska mountain. The Northern part of it slides down the slope from the Gemsstock mountain (elevation 2961 meters above sea level), and in the West it descends from the mountains Gardenstock (2866 m). From the point of view of the glacier mountaineering is not some high values and more popular among lovers of winter sports. Here is the ski resort Andermatt-Gemsstock.

The glacier Gursen known fact that in 2005 there was an attempt to keep him from melting in the summer by sheltering from the sun. Caused by this was not the whim of wanting to go skiing and in the summer months and the fact that during the previous 15 years, the glacier has decreased by about 20 meters near the mountain tops. For these purposes, the ice was rolled out huge, with an area of about 2500 square meters, film, insulated fleece.

The event has had some effect, the melting of the glacier has slowed significantly. This operation was repeated a year later, since then, the glacier continues to remain in its former borders. The media constantly covered the event, but some of them are rather skeptical attitude to the situation, writing that the environmental thoughts were just a cover, in fact, the municipal authorities did not want to lose bring good profit ski trails.

Moreover, in the XIX century it was already registered one melting gardenskogo glacier, then in the period from 1861 to 1875 years, the glacier has dropped by as much as 300 meters. Melt water Gursey going into the Creek, Ursenbach that takes them into the river Reuss.

Among lovers of winter sports Gursen known for its rather steep descent, named after the Olympic champion of 1972 Bernard Russi.