Redefining Adventure

"Adventure isn't about adrenaline or Instagram likes," insists Malik Hassan, who founded Chamonix Adaptive Adventures after a climbing accident left him paralyzed. "It's about stepping outside your comfort zone, whether that means climbing the north face of the Grandes Jorasses or taking the train to Montenvers for the first time at age 80."

This inclusive philosophy transforms how we understand mountain experiences. The traditional narrative—young, fit, fearless athletes conquering peaks—represents only a fraction of meaningful mountain encounters. For a person with severe anxiety, riding the Aiguille du Midi cable car might require more courage than any technical climb. For a family with young children, completing the gentle Petit Balcon Nord trail creates memories as precious as any summit.

The mountains themselves make no distinctions. They offer beauty, challenge, and transformation to all who engage with them thoughtfully. Recognizing this democratic nature of mountain experience opens possibilities for everyone, regardless of physical ability, economic means, or previous experience.