Vancouver, B.C. – Arc’teryx Equipment invites you to embrace the history and the future of mountaineering during three days of Alpine experiences from June 8th to 10th, 2012, intended to educate and inspire anyone with an interest in the Mountains.

 
The Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix is the alpine base Arc’teryx has chosen to host an educational weekend for those interested in becoming more familiar with mountain sports, as well as those interested in honing their skills and shared passion.
 
A gathering of professionals and outdoor industry hosts will lead participants through a weekend of alpine exploration: the gear, the activities, the environment, the highs & lows involved in all things alpine.
 
Attendees can test and learn more about the latest in Alpine equipment, improve their alpine skills, learn about the challenges of the human body in the altitude as well as how climate change
affects our glaciers and mountain regions.
There will also be time to share stories & experiences at the spectacular Alpine Movie Night.
 
Experienced mountain guides as well as Arc’teryx athletes including Ines Papert, Nina Caprez, Alex Chabot, Luka Lindic and many more will be on stand-by to provide participants with advice and assistance, the aim being to raise awareness about personal responsibility and self-sufficiency in the mountains.
 
The Alpine ARC’ademy is presented by Arc’teryx in cooperation with the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc, GORE-TEX®, Suunto, Petzl, Primus and SCARPA.
 
For more information on the individual venues, workshop registration and to win a mountain day with Nina Caprez at the Alpine ARC`ademy please visit us at: www.alpinearcademy.com (en ligne à partir du 23 avril). (online from April 23 on) or on Facebook under
Alpine ARC’ademy : Facebook.

Arc’teryx convie les passionnés de montagne à participer à la 1ère édition de l’Alpine ARC’ademy, du 8 au 10 juin 2012 à l’Aiguille du Midi de Chamonix à 3777 m d’altitude. Les participants l’Alpine ARC’ademy pourront se perfectionner dans un lieu unique avec comme terrain de jeu les plus beaux sommets des alpes.
 
L’Alpine ARC’ademy sera animée par des professionnels de la montagne et de l’industrie outdoor. Ensemble, ils accompagneront les participants, préalablement inscrits, à travers différents ateliers (secours en montagne/crevasse, bivouac en haute montagne, Vallée Blanche et Mer de Glace en ski de randonnée, GPS/altimétrie, planification parcours, lecture cartes, escalade/alpinisme de différents niveaux, préparation médicale à la haute montagne…).
 
Des alpinistes et grimpeurs du Team Arc’teryx comme Ines Papert, Nina Caprez, Alex Chabot, Luka Lindic et des guides de haute montagne seront là pour accompagner et encadrer les participants, leur prodiguer de précieux conseils et partager avec eux leur incroyable expérience. L’Alpine ARC’ademy a pour but d’apprendre aux participants à devenir autonomes en montagne et à utiliser de façon adéquate le matériel technique qui sera mis à leur disposition en test. Une soirée cinéma de montagne, l’Alpine Movie Night, permettra aux participants de partager leur passion à travers les aventures et expériences de chacun. Un concours sera organisé avec comme premier prix : une journée en montagne avec Nina Caprez, l’une des meilleures grimpeuses au monde.
 
L’Alpine ARC’ademy est organisée par la marque canadienne Arc’teryx en collaboration avec la Compagnie du Mont-Blanc, GORE-TEX®, Suunto, Petzl, Primus et SCARPA.
 
Pour plus d’informations sur l’événement, l’inscription aux ateliers et pour tenter de gagner par tirage au sort une journée en montagne avec Nina Caprez lors de l’Alpine ARC’ademy, rendez-vous sur : www.alpinearcademy.com (en ligne à partir du 23 avril). Retrouvez également l’Alpine ARC’ademy sur Facebook.

Refurbishment of the Aile Mont Blanc or ‘Mont Blanc Wing’

The building will be refitted to make it a more comfortable space to stop and reflect. Full height windows will be installed to give amazing views across the massif and benches will be fitted to allow visitors to sit and relax, whilst taking in the stunning surroundings.
The exterior of the building will be finished in burnished steel so it fits in with the other buildings in the piton nord or ‘north peak’.

New walkway around the central piton or ‘peak’

A complete circuit of the piton central will be possible thanks to a galleried walkway linking the Rebuffat terrasse and the Aile Mont Blanc. Easily accessible to visitors, including those with reduced mobility, the walkway will offer a variety of views across the massif.
Burnished steel has been chosen given the specific requirements of the site. The shape and type of material will offer maximum protection in the event of avalanches and ice slides. Perfectly secure, visitors can take their time and admire the scenery through the viewing windows in the lower sections of the walkway.

A covered terrace at the summit

It is difficult to appreciate the landscape at 3842m when it is blowing a gale, raining, snowing or bitterly cold! Hence the introduction of a sheltered viewing area with large bay windows – allowing visitors to stop and take in the views, whatever the weather.

The Skywalk

Thrill seekers will love this new attraction – the Skywalk. A glass room built around a metal frame will be suspended in space. Perfectly integrated into the existing structure the extension will have little visual impact on the whole construction. Accessible from the terrace it has three glass walls as well as a glass floor and ceiling, allowing visitors to admire the views from a dramatic and dizzying new perspective. The experience will be unforgettable, something to share when back at home, in the knowledge that this type of installation is being used more and more frequently across Europe and the US, a prime example being Niagara falls. Anyone with vertigo can rest assured. This part of the visit is not obligatory!

Refurbished walkway to the south-facing viewpoint

Accessible from the main outdoor footbridge, the covered walkway is not, currently, looking at its best. Its walls and the rooms situated along the passageway will be covered in burnished steel. The roof of the walkway will be repaired using steel with the same finish as the other buildings to ensure a harmonious look for the whole station.

The north and central piton (‘peak’) staircases

Understandably, staircases at this altitude make some visitors nervous. They are, however, an essential part of visit to the Aiguille du Midi. Henceforth they will be transformed into a journey of discovery with information decking the walls. Along the way you can learn about the roped mountaineers and their incredible journeys to the summits, gaining an understanding of the challenges they faced. The climb will seem much shorter….

Waiting area for the return to Chamonix

The Aiguille du Midi cable car and station offer exceptional l facilities at extreme altitude and are built and maintained by remarkable individuals. The waiting area will henceforth be transformed into an educational space telling the station’s history. Those who are fascinated by engineering will be pleased to know that the machinery – already visible through the glass windows – will also be showcased.

The world’s highest museum

An exceptional location and a great concept; the Aiguille du Midi is the departure point for many expeditions including, of course, the ascent to Mont Blanc via the three ‘Monts’. Many famous climbers have passed by the Aiguille du Midi on their adventures. To pay homage to these daring individuals, amongst them French alpinist Rebuffat, a museum will be created at 3777m – the highest museum in the world. Its theme will be the golden age of alpine climbing.
This exhibition provides the perfect finish to a visit to the Aiguille du Midi – with its mix of indoor and outdoor attractions.

The natural ice cave

A natural ice cave formed on the south facing slope of the Aile Mont Blanc and this is something we feel is well worth sharing with our visitors. Here you will discover interesting educational and cultural facts surrounding the evolution of glacier climbing from its inception up to the present day.
Sounds and light displays will enhance the visitor experience.

Please note : The opening date for the ice cave will depend on the time it takes for the ice walls to reform after works to the covered walkway of the central piton.

The renovations outlined began in autumn 2011 and are expected to take three years

The ‘Glaciorium’ (expected to open end of May 2012)

A world of discovery awaits you at the new exhibition centre at the Montenvers Mer de Glace. Here the creation and evolution of the glaciers over the centuries is explained in detail. These ‘rivers’ of ice, which advance by many metres each year, remain one of nature’s mysteries. In response to requests from visitors, the Compagnie du Mont Blanc decided to create this educational space which uses the latest ‘augmented reality’ technology and gives us a better understanding what the future holds for these impressive alpine glaciers.

Experience the Mont Blanc Panoramic this summer

Take a panoramic trip over the glaciers in a cable car !!

From 30th June to 2nd September 2012 you can head up to the Aiguille du Midi in the Mont Blanc Panoramique cable car for a magical 50 minute long trip. The journey across the glaciers is a sight to behold. In complete safety you will take in the blue and white surroundings of high mountain terrain admiring the crevasses and seracs below and contemplating the groups of roped climbers scaling the glacial mass. A return trip to Italy and back or a one way journey, either way the memory of this magical landscape will stay with you forever.
Treat yourself to this unique voyage and whatever you do, don’t forget your binoculars!