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Argentiere Ski Holidays

At a glance

  • Chamonix area pass
  • Historic village
  • Good rail connections

Great for

  • Off piste
  • Experts
  • Short transfers

Ski Holidays in Argentiere

Argentière hogs the biggest and - most argue - best ski area in the Chamonix valley, with awesome terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders. The village is a quieter, prettier and often cheaper base than Cham’ town. It all adds up to a smashing week on the snow.

  • Flight Time
  • 1h 45m
  • From London
  • Nearest Airports
  • Geneva, Grenoble
  • Chambery, Lyon
  • Time zone
  • GMT + 1 hour
  • Language
  • French
  • Currency
  • Euros
  • Ski Season
  • Dec - April

Argentiere Stats

Top Altitude
3275m
Bottom Altitude
1252m
Resort Altitude
1252m
Total Piste
29km (Grands Montets) 117km (Chamonix)
Longest Run
6km
Slope Orientation
N NW
Vertical Drop
2000m
Skiable Vertical
Night Skiing
No
Glacier Skiing
Yes

About 5 miles north of Chamonix, the village of Argentière has a wonderfully traditional, rustic feel, complete with the baroque Eglise Saint Pierre and a charming wooden chapel.

Looming overhead, the Argentière glacier and the rest of the Mont Blanc massif make the surroundings nothing short of spectacular.

The main road – Route du Plagnolet – and its side streets are home to the hub of shops, hotels and restaurants.

But it’s what’s on the other side of the Arve river that’s the real reason you come: the Grands Montets ski area is widely considered to have the greatest terrain in the Chamonix valley and oodles of advanced skiers and snowboarders make their pilgrimages here every winter.

This tends to be a cheaper base than Chamonix town centre, which is a 15-minute drive away. The transport connections are terrific, with the Mont Blanc Express train linking Argentière, Chamonix and Saint Gervais and crossing the border to Swiss Martigny which connects with Verbier. Transfers are nice and short, with Geneva airport around 1 hour and 20 minutes’ drive away.

Winter Sports Ratings

Beginners

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboarding

Argentiere Transfer Times

Geneva International Airport 1h20

The nearest airport to Argentiere is Geneva / Geneve at 96 km or about ? by car

What's the ski area like in Argentiere?

Of all the ski areas in the Chamonix Valley, it’s Argentière’s local slopes that most skiers and snowboarders flock to. You’ll find pistes spread over the glacier, Lognan and Pendant areas.

Two lifts set off from the village - the Lognan cable car and Plan Joran gondola - which you can link up with other lifts to reach the highest points of the area.

Which other ski resorts are near to Argentiere?

The nearest ski resorts to Argentiere include Chamonix, Les Houches.

Ski Area Facts

LocationChamonix Valley, France
Established1963
Downhill29km (Grands Montets) 117km (Chamonix)
Lift PassMONT BLANC Unlimited (valid all over Chamonix as well as St Gervais, Megeve, Courmayeur and Verbier) €299 – adult 6 day Chamonix Le Pass (valid throughout Chamonix valley apart from the top of Grands Montets) €252.50 – adult 6 day

Beginner Slopes

6km (GM) 51km (Cham)

Intermediate Skiing

9km (GM) 36km (Cham)

Advance & Expert Terrain

14km (GM) 30km (Cham)

Snowboarding Trails

29km (Grands Montets) 117km (Chamonix)100%

What is Argentiere like for Beginner skiers?

Plan Joran lift serves an area of gentle slopes and chair lifts, where you can while away the hours skiing above and between the treeline. Those who haven’t skied before can practice snow ploughing at the foot of the area, where beginner’s zones sit surrounded by forest. in the rest of the valley you have the Balme area with its gorgeously wide, confidence boosting runs.

What is Argentiere like for Intermediate skiers?

Red run skiers have the gorgeous Bochard piste from 2765m, which can be followed with the Pierre a Ric for a terrific tree-lined descent back to the village. In other parts of the ski pass, Brevent and Flegre areas offer up longer pistes for intermediates.

What is Argentiere like for Advanced skiers?

Grands Montets terrain is a rite of passage for any serious snow lover - black pistes than any other colour. The runs 3275m are expert territory, with black graded Pointe de Vue and Pylones streaming down from the top (before you head up there, access to the summit usually requires upgrading your ski pass).

What is Argentiere like for snowboarding?

Freestylers have a snowpark with kickers, tables, rails and banked turns in all shapes and sizes.

What is Argentiere like for off-piste skiing?

Grand Montet is home to 2000m of vertical, awesome powder runs. Elsewhere in the Chamonix valley, the Aiguille du Midi cable car serves the legendary Vallee Blanche run for powder hounds.

What is Argentiere like for cross country skiing?

There are about 15km of tracks, for both classic and skating disciplines.

Argentiere Restaurants

If the skiing and scenery leave you hungry, tuck into Savoyard favourites at La Petite Verte (they do a cracking set menu) or burgers at Aux Dix Vins. For something special, book a table at Le Remise where Morgane and John treat guests like royalty and the food is presented exquisitely. Le Stone pub is a great place for pizza and other pub grub with some light drinks before the crowds set it later in the evening.

Argentiere Après Ski

There’s no denying that Chamonix holds the biggest parties in the valley, but that’s not to say this place is lacking when it comes to après ski. The Office is a clear favourite, hosting live music, screening sports and pouring excellent beers (and pretty much any other drink you can dream up). Savoy Bar draws in the crowds with gigs and cocktails and Fubar for its happy hours. Le Stone is great for drinks down at the pub, they offer a great mix.

Argentiere Activites for Non-skiers

As for activities, there’s a mix of experiences to get stuck into – snowshoeing, paragliding and ice skating in Chamonix to name a few.

Clothing Food & Souvenir Shops

Argentière has a handful of shops covering all holiday essentials - skiwear, rentals, food, drink and souvenirs.

For a bigger choice of around 100 shops head down to Chamonix, or even take a day trip to Geneva for still more if you can afford the time away.

Best Time to Visit Argentiere

With slopes facing north and northwest and top heights of 3300m, Grands Montets is known to have the best snow conditions in the Chamonix valley, making it a good bet for ski trips throughout the season. The presence of the Argentière glacier keeps the area cool, and there are plenty of tree-lined runs to escape to if visibility is poor. The local runs also have snowmaking for when an extra layer is needed.

What's Argentiere like at Christmas?

Browse the market stalls in Chamonix and ski some of the best snow in the valley over Christmas in Argentière.

What's Argentiere like in the New Year?

Celebrate with a slap up meal in La Remise or get an early night and have the Grands Montets to yourself on January 1st over New Year in Argentière.

What's Argentiere like in Half-Term?

Often a cheaper, quieter base than Chamonix, with a short transfer from Geneva makes Half Term in Argentière amazing.

What's Argentiere like at Easter?

Thanks to a glacier and north facing ski area, Easter in Argentière is an excellent way to experience the Chamonix Valley.

Argentiere Snow Conditions

Snow Report, History & Forecast

View our detailed Argentiere snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Argentiere snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Argentiere snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.

  • Partly cloudy skies Today
  • Light snow showers Sunday
  • Sunny skies Monday
  • Heavy snow Tuesday
  • Heavy snow Wednesday
  • Moderate snow Thursday
  • Current snow depth at top
    299 cm
  • Alternate Text
  • Current snow depth at base
    9 cm

Grands Montets has one of the best learning areas in the Chamonix valley – the Panda Club is set in the middle of the forest with wonderfully gentle pistes and lessons are available to little ones from 3 years and up. They’ll love the bouncy castle and Panda Base Camp where they can eat and relax. If your brood are beyond beginner stage, set off to roam the runs on the glacier, Lognan and Pendant sectors above the village, or catch the bus to one of Chamonix’s other ski areas. Sharing a guide or private instructor is a brilliant way to get to know the local powder and pistes as a family.

The early bird catches the worm, and groups staying in Argentière can be the first to make tracks on the legendary Grands Montets slopes each morning. While the area serves advanced skiers and snowboarders best, those with less experience on the piste will find some gentler runs to enjoy – both in the local area and further afield in Balme. For non-skiers, the historic village makes a cosy base for exploring the winter walking paths and other attractions.

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Ski Extras

How much is a ski pass in Argentiere

Maximum and minimum adult Argentiere lift pass prices ranged from €259 to €259 for 6 days access to the Argentiere ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Argentiere holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.

Lift Tickets Child Adult Senior
1 Day Price €43 - €43 €52 - €52 €26 - €43
6 Day Price €215 - €215 €259 - €259 €127 - €215
Age Range 5 - 14 15 - 64 65+

Getting to Argentiere

Most of our ski holidays to Argentiere packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Argentiere from nearby airports

How long does it take to fly to Argentiere from the UK?

Flights from London take about 1h 45m to Geneva, Grenoble, Chambery, Lyon. This table shows approximate transfer times to Argentiere from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.

Airport Distance Transfer Time
Geneva / Geneve 96 km ?
Lyon 230 km ?
Annecy 98 km ?

How long does it take to drive to Argentiere from the UK?

Browse our self-drive ski holidays which include your car channel crossing, or go choose accom-only and book your car ferry or tunnel later.

How long is the transfer from nearest France train station to Argentiere?

The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Argentiere transfers.

Station Distance Transfer Time
Argentiere 0 km 0 minute

Argentiere Maps

Argentiere piste map
Click to Enlarge

Going to Argentiere under your own steam

For independant travel to France, compare accommodation only with Argentiere self-drive packages which include Eurotunnel or ferry.

Accomm-Only & Self-Drive

See driving directions to and from Argentiere in France.

Enter your start location and click "Get Directions" to view the route:

Argentiere Ski Holiday Resources

Need help choose your Argentiere ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!


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