What can be expected? More than 20 different workshops and seminars, international athletes like GORE-TEX athlete Edurne Pasaban and the breathtaking beauty of the Savoy alps in France from 16 – 19 June, 2016. Last year, more than 350 participants from 25 countries made their way to Chamonix to deepen their knowledge through a variety of workshops and seminars. This year will also see international athletes come together to talk about some of their experiences. The location is as special as it is beautiful: Chamonix sits in the Arve valley, dominated by the towering mountain to the south – here, all 4,810 m of Mont Blanc’s presence can be felt. All visitors will be able to test the newest mountaineering equipment and can look forward to two very special GORE-TEX events: 
- The GORE-TEX Laundry Party – washing your GORE-TEX jacket has never been this easy! Come along to the launderette"La Laverie du Lyret", 560, rue du Lyret, 74400 Chamonix Mont-blanc, on Friday 17th June from 5 – 8pm and wash that jacket for free with help from our experts. You may even get the chance to speak to our athlete Edurne Pasaban while hanging out.
- Exclusive GORE-TEX Repair Service. Your jacket has a small hole? The tape on your pants is coming off? No problem! Our experts will be available at the Aiguille du Midi station for the whole event to help you out with your GORE-TEX products.
Win 2 x 2 tickets to the Arc’teryx Alpine Academy 2016!
As sponsor and partner of the event, we are happy to announce that we hold the remaining tickets and we’re giving them away! Win two tickets to each of the following workshops: Acclimatization and Glacier Preparation The acclimatization and glacier preparation workshop offers an easy hike which crosses the Plan de l’Aiguille to Montenvers. The hike is recommended for all participants who have not been active at altitudes of more than 3,000 m in the last four weeks. The hike will last around three hours but the workshop will last the whole day. Participants should bring general mountain equipment and adequate hiking shoes. Meeting point/Time: Friday, 16th June 2016, 10am at the Aiguille du Midi station Location: Plan de l’Aiguille - Montenvers Basic Mountaineering Education by GORE-TEX The goal of the course, is to prepare participants for basic glacier tours and easy alpine climbs. This includes roping up on glaciers, basic crevasse rescue, ice axe techniques, snow and ice anchors, self-rescue, orientation, route planning and advice on equipment. At the end of the course, participants should be able to go on a PD (peu difficile) tour. Participants should have a basic but solid understanding of walking with crampons, basic mountaineering skills and enough stamina for a 4 to 6-hour hike. Meeting Point/Time: Saturday, 17th June 2016, 8am at the Aiguille du Midi station Additional costs: Lift ticket (special fare) Equipment: general mountain equipment, crampons, climbing belt, helmet, ice axe, a sling/runner (1.2 m) and an HMS carabiner.
Here’s how to win
To participate in the sweepstakes, leave a comment on Facebook and tell us which workshop you absolutely must attend and why. Two winners will be selected from all of the comments and each will win two tickets for one of the two workshops described above. Travel and meal costs are not included. Now get over to our Facebook page and join in! The Sweepstake begins on 13.05.2016, 09:00 am and ends on 16.05.2016, 11:00 pm. - SWEEPSTAKE IS OVER - For those who didn’t manage to get tickets but who would still like to experience the exceptional atmosphere around the workshops, more information on other events can be found here.
