Argentiere

Argentière Ski Resort

Nestled below the Grands Montets in the Chamonix Valley, Argentière provides a great base from which to explore the area’s legendary off piste terrain.

Access to arguably the best ski area in the Chamonix Valley – the Grands Montets – is incredibly easy. This area is home to some of the world’s finest lift served off piste, but there is also a beginner zone and some decent slopes for intermediates.

The old village of Argentière is a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle of Chamonix. It is much quieter but there are still plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants to choose from. Access to the ski area at the head of the valley at La Tour is very easy, but you have to rely on a bus service which is not that reliable, or drive yourself to the lift station.

We’re running a Freshtracks holiday to the resort in March, aimed at honing your touring skills. In addition, the popular Ski Club’s Instructor-led Guiding Service provided by Evolution 2 is once again running between 22nd December and 13th April.

For further information on the ski areas within the valley, have a read through of the Chamonix Resort Guide or book on to one of the seventeen Freshtracks holidays heading out to the resort – all of which are based in the new Chalet Freshtracks.

What's New for 2019/20?

Argentière is situated only 8km north of Chamonix and is therefore perfectly positioned to take advantage of the upgrades to the Chamonix ski area for the 2019/20 season. In 2013 the owners of the Chamonix lift system committed to spending €447m on the lift system over the next 40 years. The big upgrade this year is a new cable car in Flégère. The new lift will have 10 seater cabins which will carry up to 2000 passengers per hour. The old lift was only capable of carrying 300 passengers per hour and therefore queues will be cut significantly.

In addition, €1m has been invested in the lift station for the Bochard bubble in the Grand Monets ski area in preparation for the season. This is extremely close to Argentière and will therefore be of significant benefit to those staying in the village.

Our Argentière Resort Ratings

• Beginner ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
• Intermediate ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Advanced ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
• Snow Reliability ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Fast Lifts ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
• Resort Activities ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
• Après ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Value ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Argentière Skiing and Snowboarding

The local slopes of the Grands Montets are ideal for advanced and expert skiers, but there are also some more gentle slopes for beginners and intermediates. The other resort sectors – Brévent, Flégère, Les Houches and the Domaine de Balme – are similar in that much of the terrain is difficult, particularly up high, but there are still some easier pistes for those with less experience behind them.

• Total Pistes: 29km (173km in Chamonix Valley)
• Blue: 21%
• Red: 31%
• Black: 48%
• Lifts: 10 (62 in Chamonix Valley)
• Altitude: 1252m – 3275m

For Beginners

Although the piste map has very little for beginners, the slopes immediately above Lognan are gentle and the new Tabé chairlift serves a good blue on which to progress. For absolute beginners, there are better choices – such as the Trappe zone at Flégère and the 2000 zone at Brévent.

For Intermediates

Some decent intermediate cruising is on offer on the Grands Montets, but the main pistes can prove to be crowded at times. Longer runs are available under the Parsa chair at Brévent, in the Domaine du Balme or at Les Houches – the latter of which is perfect in bad weather when the trees add contrast during a whiteout.

For Advanced/Expert & Off Piste

Over half of the marked routes on the Grands Montets are rated black, so before you even add in the off piste the area’s credentials for advanced and expert skiers are clear. The closure of the upper cable car does make a difference however, reducing the options this winter. In the other sectors, the C. Bozon trail at Brèvent and the Floria route at Flégère are definitely worth trying. Off piste options are almost limitless, especially with a mountain guide – be sure to utilise the Ski Club’s Instructor-led Guiding Service for by far the best value guided days in the Chamonix Valley, for £35 per member.

Argentière Piste Map

The Grands Montets piste map can be downloaded here. To see piste maps for the entire Chamonix Valley, click here. 

Argentière Ski Pass Prices

The Chamonix Le Pass covers the Grands Montets (except the cable car to the top), the Domaine du Balme and Brèvent-Flégère. For those looking to visit Courmayeur in Italy, Les Houches, the Aiguille du Midi, St Gervais and Megève, the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass is the pass to choose. The Chamonix season pass costs €1527 for an adult. Note that these prices may change, so check with the resort’s website for the latest or give the Ski Club’s expert info & advice team a call on 020 8410 2009.

Argentière Season Dates

• Grands Montets: 21st December 2019 – 3rd May 2020
• Brèvent-Flégère: 14th December 2019 – 19th April 2020
• Domaine du Balme: 14th December 2019 – 19th April 2020
• Les Houches: 21st December 2019 – 13th April 2020

For full details see the resort's website and note that these dates are subject to change. The Ski Club’s expert info & advice team are also on hand to help – call 020 8410 2009.

Argentière Resort

Compared to its bustling neighbour, Argentière is definitely quieter. That being said, it is not devoid of life and there is a decent collection of small shops and restaurants along the main street beyond the station. Chamonix is only a short hop away so head there if you’re looking for nightlife, a wider choice of restaurants and some really good shopping.

For Families

As a base in the valley this is a good option and things are much quieter than in the main town of Chamonix. Access to beginner skiing zones can be difficult as the local one up the Grands Montets is not ideal for early learners. The valley has some good activities away from skiing, including a popular alpine coaster and dog-sledding.

For Après

Although the terrace at Lognan is a good spot for a post ski beer, head to Chamonix for your après fix. Numerous bars line the streets of central Chamonix, particularly on the Avenue Michel Croz and the Rue du Dr Paccard and these do get lively after the lifts close. Nightlife often continues into the small hours but be prepared to get a taxi back to Argentière.

How to get to Argentière

The Chamonix Valley is incredibly accessible from Geneva airport, with transfers generally taking under an hour and a half, traffic dependent. Public buses also run the same route, although travel times extend to two and a half hours and the spread out nature of the valley lends itself to having a car. The drive from the UK is also one of the shortest around, expect to be on the road from Calais for about 10 hours.

• Geneva airport: 1.5 hours (driving/transfer) or 2.5 (public bus)
• Chambéry airport: 2 hours (driving)
• Calais: approximately 10 hours driving (559 miles)

Argentière Contact Details

• Website: www.argentiere-mont-blanc.com
• Email: Contact via online form
• Telephone: +33 04 50 53 99 98
• Facebook: @ChamonixMontBlanc
• Instagram: @Chamonix_France
• Twitter: @chamonixmontblanc