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• Resort Guide

Resort Height: 1250m

Argentiere is an ancient mountain community eight kilometres (five miles) up the valley from Chamonix. Rather dominated by the prominence of its famous neighbour, at least in terms of marketing, which tends to refer just to Chamonix or at best the Chamonix Valley, so you might forget Argentiere exists. In past centuries the Grand Montets glacier, which sits above the resort, used to extend right down in to the valley, occasionally more-or-less cutting Argentiere off from Chamonix.

As the two resorts, and several more in the region, are merged in all information material, it is often difficult to find out whether services are located in Argentiere or, more commonly, down in Chamonix, so be wary if you are relying on a certain advertised leisure facility for example.

Argentiere is the higher of the two resorts by 215 vertical metres and sits at one of the most famous of the Chamonix Valleys three major ski areas, Les Grands Montets, which has high altitude north-facing slopes. The other two main areas are Brévent/Flégère which has south-facing slopes and exceptional views of the Mont-Blanc chain and the Balme area, with wide open slopes at the top of the Chamonix valley, bordering on Switzerland.

Three lift pass areas are available. The local area pass covers these areas except for the highest cable car at Grand Montets, which is an irritation if you're more than a beginner. The more expensive Mont Blanc Unlimted Pass does cover that lift and a fourth area at another nearby resort, les Houches, which lies at the opposite end of the valley. Finally a Mont Blanc regional pass, which covers 800km (500 miles) of piste and lifts at a dozen resorts in the area, is available and is Europe's most expensive six-day ticket!

Beginners

There is a dedicated beginners area at Les Chosalets (1230m) which is situated at the entrance to Argentiere, just 500m from the Lognan/Grands Montets cable car.

It's an ideal ski area for beginners and great fun for children. If you do learn to ski there it's better to buy a local lift ticket when you need it rather than a multi- area ticket.

Intermediates

There's a great range of skiing for intermediates spread around the Chamonix Valley. Fortunately the Grand Montets is one of the bigger areas so you don't have to get on the ski bus every day to visit others. The pistes above the resort are spread over three mountain sides (the Argentière glacier, Lognan and the Pendant) and offer some excellent long red runs.

It's worth ensuring you purchase the Mont Blanc Unlimited ticket to get full access to the Lognan – Grand Montets cable car and perks such as a day's skiing on the other side of Mont Blanc at Courmayeur in Italy.

Advanced

The Chamonix Valley is famous for its tough skiing, which attracts the world's best skiers. On the piste some of the area's steepest runs are found on the upper half of the Grand Montets glacier, so Argentiere is a good base for quick access to that. The toughest run in the Valley, the eight kilometre (five mile) long Grands Montets run, is right here.

Argentiere is also a key base for the off piste powder fields for which the Chamonix valley is world famous and which a guide can take you to. The busy Guides office is also your key to high mountain touring, heliskiing over in Italy (illegal in France) and the legendary Vallee Blanche off-piste run, the world's longest lift-served descent at 22km (14 miles) over more than 2,700 vertical metres – again the world's biggest lift-served vertical.

Snowboarding

The Grand Montets area has become a major centre for boarders, particularly with the recent addition of a new snowpark and boardercross at the mid-station of the Lognan cable car. However the main reputation is for freeriding, with infinite powder possibilities that keep local riders busy for a lifetime.

Other Activities and Facilities

Most permanent facilities are in Chamonix or in individual accommodations in Argentiere, however the resorts have many outdoor activities, often with a presence in Argentiere, throughout the Chamonix Valley. These include extensive cross country ski trails (42km of prepared tracks), cleared hiking paths, as well as snow shoeing, ice climbing, horse riding, dog sledding, paint balling and sleigh rides.

Additional choices in Chamonix include several spas, cinema, bowling, an alpine museum, ice rink and casino. There is also a sports centre with indoor heated pool and water slides, indoor climbing wall, tennis and squash courts. Day trips are organised to destinations including Megeve and Geneva.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Argerntiere is much smaller than its famous neighbour, giving you the option each evening of a quieter night at the local bars and restaurants, or partying all night ten minutes down the road in Chamonix. There are more than 100 places to eat and drink in the valley, with the vast majority in Chamonix itself, where you can indulge in local Savoyard cuisine or Italian from just over Mont Blanc, or more distant specialities including Swedish, Dutch, Australian or even English.

The choice in Argentiere is much more limited and much more French. Popular bar options include The Office and The Savoy. For late night dancing (or the casino) you need to head down to Chamonix. The dining choices in Argentiere itself extend to about a dozen options ranging from Au Four a Bois take away pizza service through to nice establishments like Dahu and L'Argentero.

Families

Families are actually rather better provided for in many ways in Argentiere than in Chamonix. The Chamonix's Panda Club nursery is, in fact, in Argentiere and accepts children aged from ten months to twelve. It offers all day or part day care. The tourist office can also provide a list of baby sitters who may care for even younger children (Check in advance of arrival with the tourist office if you are relying on that!). The ski school accepts children from age four in their ski kindergarten.

Unfortunately lift ticket prices for children here are amongst the most expensive in the world for youngsters, and are charged from age four up. Another facility, la Maison pour Tous, offers a weekly programme adapted to children's ages. Different themes are developed each week including arts, sciences, sports and nature activities. The Argentière centre welcomes children aged three to 11 years. Back in Chamonix there's a Youth club for 12 to 14 year olds as well as "Action Jeunesse" (Youth Action) which organises activities and events for 12 to 17 year olds.

Ski/Board Suitability Guide

Suitable for families:	[No]
Suitable for beginners:	[3]
Suitable for intermediate skiers:	[4]
Suitable for advanced skiers:	[5]
Suitable for boarders skiers:	[5]

Piste Map for Argentiere

Accommodation in Argentiere

• Argentiere Apartments - 3 star,

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