The Arc’teryx Alpine Academy in Chamonix offers a chance to improve mountain skills by day and enjoy music and social events by night. The annual festival, now in its 16th year, started with a focus on rock climbing but has expanded to include tuition in Alpine botany, trail running, photography, geology, and ice climbing. Participants of all ages and backgrounds can gain hands-on experience with experts.
One attendee, Meta from Berlin, tried outdoor rock climbing for the first time after only climbing indoors. She described the experience as amazing and expressed a desire to do more. Another participant, Max from Rome, praised the helpfulness of trail-running experts. Frenchman Jean-Luc was thrilled to be teamed up with his climbing hero, Jim Pope, during a course.
The festival also features a programme of live music and DJs, including London band Kokoroko. Stalls offer equipment loans, advice on washing waterproofs, and small repairs. Austrian climber Alex Luger, a professional climber turned psychotherapist, gave talks on psychology and facing fears, noting that the topic applies beyond climbing.
Organiser Stéphane Tenailleau acknowledged the risk of sending 800 people, including beginners and disadvantaged children from Paris, into the mountains. The festival aims to facilitate the journey to competence in mountaineering for aspiring adventurers.
