ALTUS VALLÉE DE CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC – HIVER 2024
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Edito – Altus Chamonix Hiver 2024

Eco-friendly paper?

While digital technology continues to expand its influence, and all-digital technology becomes the norm, we remain faithful to paper, not only because we know the pleasure of reading a beautiful medium, but also because we are convinced that paper has solid eco-responsible arguments.

We have chosen PEFC-labeled paper to guarantee sustainable forest management: trees are planted and replanted in such a way as to guarantee supply without depleting natural resources.

Our magazine is 100% recyclable: we use acrylic varnish on the cover. Recycling paper reduces waste and the consumption of raw materials.
We print in the Alps, in a short circuit: in less than two hours’ drive, our magazines arrive at their distribution site. Our printer holds the Imprim’Vert label, for greater respect for the environment.

Our Altus magazines are “keeper” magazines: we know that you’ll take them home with you, and that they’ll live on for many years in your library, without any CO2 emissions… Unlike e-mails and data stored on servers: if the Internet were a country, it would be the world’s third largest consumer of electricity, after China and the USA!

So yes, as long as we live, we pollute, but we’re doing everything we can to reduce our impact on the environment as much as possible, while offering you the best possible reading comfort.

Happy reading, and don’t forget to leave a place for your magazine on your coffee table.

Roland Claude Durand-Terrasson
Publishing Director

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NEWS

New gondola lift, new experience at Mer de Glace

It’s a mythical place, emblematic of Chamonix. The Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier, with its 7 km length and 40 km2 surface area, offers visitors a breathtaking landscape. A unique and privileged site for observing and discovering the high mountains, the Mer de Glace is also a stopover for skiers and mountaineers on their way back from a race. It’s a polymorphous territory, inextricably linked to the valley’s history of tourism. To preserve this heritage and facilitate access to the foot of the glacier for all these visitors, Compagnie du Mont-Blanc has worked with Chamonix town council on a comprehensive project to renovate the site’s facilities. This winter, a brand-new gondola lift will be put into service. Seating 10, this lift will link the Échelets promontory, closest to the glacier, to the Montenvers panoramic terrace, under which the top station (departure station) will be located. There’s no longer any need to take a long route and climb hundreds of steps to reach the bottom station from the ice grotto (or the Vallée blanche itinerary), as access will now be easier and shorter. This is an important step in ensuring the long-term future of mountain activities in the Chamonix valley, while complying with strict specifications designed to limit their impact on the environment. The old gondola and concrete steps will be completely dismantled by 2024, leaving no trace…

THE ARTISTS’ PHARMACY: WHERE ART AND MOUNTAINS CONVERGE

Andy Parkin’s studio, La Pharmacie des Artistes, in Argentière, is one of the renowned artistic collectives in the Chamonix Valley. Parkin, a legend of mountaineering for nearly half a century, founded the Artists Pharmacy following a fire that destroyed the «Rabbit on the Roof Artists Mill» in 2016. Under his direction, this artistic haven quickly attracted a group of eclectic creators: sculptor and painter, poet and photographer. Their common thread? A deep passion for the disproportionate beauty of the surrounding mountains. It is not only an art workshop, but also a dynamic meeting place, a rallying point for spirits sharing artistic affinities. Join Andy, Tom, Alexandrine, Paul, Erin and Leanna for a drink every first Friday of the month, during openings in a relaxed atmosphere and immerse yourself in their latest works.

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CLEMASKI, AN EXCLUSIVE ALPINE JEWELLERY

A young jewellery house born in Chamonix, Clemaski symbolizes the union of two worlds: high mountains and art. After 15 years of emergency medicine and mountain rescue, Clémence, her founder, returns to her first passions. Tirelessly traversing the summits of the Mont-Blanc massif, she draws her inspiration from it. Granite, quartz, crystals blow him jewelry designs. Clémence then embarked on the adventure surrounded by talented craftsmen for an entirely French manufacture. The stones are thus picked by a crystalline chamoniard, respecting the ancestral methods: research on foot, extraction in the ovens revealed by the natural evolution of the massif. These gems are then cut and sublimated, in France, by an experienced Parisian lapidary. Set in recycled gold 750 thousandths certified RJC-COC, the stones are magnified by the light of diamonds. Clemaski proudly claims these environmental values to fully celebrate the alliance between nature, art and know-how.

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SERAC BECOMES HOUSE OF THE DRUS

La Serac (Société d’exploitation des restaurants d’altitude de Chamonix), which manages 18 restaurants d’altitude, becomes this winter Maison des Drus. A new era for this operator of gastronomy anchored in the valley since 2007. To accompany this evolution, in harmony with Les Drus, emblematic summits that inspired its new name, the House intensifies its link to the territory in an eco-responsible and socio-responsible approach. With, among other levers, that of «homemade»: a workshop, modern kitchen of 1,200 m2, allows to control the chain of operations, from producers to the plate, to make dishes, sandwiches and fresh desserts. Under the leadership of Loïc Renand, Executive Chef, former right-hand man of Michelin-starred chef Jean Sulpice, and Boris Capelle, Pastry Chef from L’Albert 1er, the workshop distributes an offer combining high-end catering, self-service and snacking. Maison des Drus is also strengthening its cooperation with local producers (charcuterie from Maison Baud, cheeses from Fruitière du Val d’Arly, etc.) and modernizing its restaurants (la Bergerie de Planpraz, Le Foehn, etc.).

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Big Sky Hotel your 4* home in the mountains

A stay at the Big Sky Hotel is like a trip out of time. At the foot of Mont Blanc, we enjoy a cozy atmosphere, tinged with the pop and warm universe of the seventies.
SUPREME SEVENTIES
Spacious lobby, furnished with cozy sofas, vintage armchairs, soft carpets, a fireplace and objects judiciously mottled (vinyl, lamps, rattan tables…), immersion in a colorful and cocooning elsewhere is immediate. From the dress code of the team to the music specially composed for the establishment, every detail has been meticulously worked. Everything has been designed for fun: the ski shop that allows you to go from the hotel to the slopes, the pool and jacuzzi overlooking the glacier and the fun area with billiards, table football and arcade games.
THE ROOMS: A DECLINATION OF DECORATION
The journey through time continues in the rooms, none of which are identical. Wood blends with peps colors or retro wallpapers. Again, the care in the choice of bedding, cushions and furniture imposes the difference.
THE RESTAURANT: SHARING EMOTIONS CULINARY
In an American dinner atmosphere revisited with elegance, the «Diner Club» offers generous and gourmet cuisine inspired by California or Savoyard. These refined flavours can be enjoyed in complete relaxation. To start or extend the evening, the 70’s bar offers cocktails and finger’s food.

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History

Chamonix 1924, Winter Olympics for history

In 1924, from January 25 to February 5, Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympics in history. A hundred years later, on the two weeks that marked the valley and the history of sport, everything is played out there, on June 5, 1921 in Lausanne, when some members of the International Olympic Committee put forward the idea of the creation of the Olympic Winter Games. Twenty-eight years after the first J.O. of the modern era in 1896 in Athens, under the impetus of the French Olympic Committee (COF) and the Organizing Committee of the J.O. of Paris 1924, the decision was taken to create an «International Winter Sports Week» which was retrospectively named the “First Winter Olympic Games in History” in 1926.

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Sport

Chamonix – Zermatt… The most famous ski raid in the world

This classic of ski touring, revealed in 1903 by members of the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, connects in 95 kilometers, from refuge to refuge, the two world capitals of mountaineering. You can enjoy beautiful landscapes and magnificent descents in the virgin snow. In the summer, you can rub your feet and ice axe in your hand. The wonder is the same, but be careful, caution is still required.

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Culture

Chamonix la culturelle

The broth of chamoniard culture is of an amazing diversity, there is enough to feed all sensibilities and all intellects. This owes nothing to chance, it is the fruit of a rich history and a clear and assertive political will. Explanations and panorama.

Chamonix and culture is a long love story. The four municipalities in the valley have a population of just 15,000 a year, and sometimes up to 80,000 visitors, but the diversity and breadth of their cultural offerings rival those of many major cities. 

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Society

Mont Blanc, an image courted by brands

Mont Blanc… the aura of the massif does not attract that climbers amateurs of sensation and challenge. For more than 100 years, various companies and many institutions have been arrogating a «tip» of Mont Blanc. From cream dessert to luxury pens, splendors and decadence of a «brand» courted.

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Meeting

Marine Petroff highlights the crystals

Marine Petroff creates cases for the crystals of Mont Blanc. Pendants, bracelets, rings, necklaces, the young woman sets the stones to better reveal them. Maintenance.

Marine, how did you get the urge to work with crystals?
I am of Pyrenean origin. After my master’s degree in marketing, specializing in sliding sports, I came to the Alps, and to Chamonix eight years ago. I started off with a string of odd jobs. By pleasure, I started to mount a small quartz ring, and then I made jewelry for friends, friends of friends… Stones fascinated me. Gradually, this occupation took more and more of my time, up to 100% three years ago…

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