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Argentiere Ski Resort
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.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Chamonix Valley, France
Established: 1963
Open: November - May
Downhill: 29km (Grands Montets) 117km (Chamonix)
View our detailed Argentiere snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Argentiere snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Geneva International Airport (GVA) | 108km, 1h20 |
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| Top Altitude: | 3275m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1252m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1252m |
| Longest run: | 6km |
| Slope Orientation: | N NW |
| Vertical Drop: | 2000m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | Yes |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 29km (Grands Montets) 117km (Chamonix) |
| Beginner slopes: | |
| Intermediate: | |
| Advanced slopes: | |
| Lift Pass Price: | MONT 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 |
| Nearby resorts: Chamonix, Les Houches | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing 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. Grands Montets terrain is a rite of passage for any serious snow lover - home to 2000m of vertical, awesome powder runs and more black pistes than any other colour.
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. The runs from Grands Montets at 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).
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 the blue department, the 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. Meanwhile, freestylers have a snowpark with kickers, tables, rails and banked turns in all shapes and sizes.
Whatever level you ski or ride at, don’t miss the other ski areas that the Chamonix Le Pass also covers. First off, the Aiguille du Midi cable car serves the legendary Vallee Blanche run for powder hounds. Then there's the Balme area with its gorgeously wide, confidence boosting runs while the Brevent and Flegre areas offer up longer pistes for intermediates.
Argentiere Apres 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). Le Stone is a good stop for drinks and pizzas, while the Savoy Bar draws in the crowds with gigs and cocktails and Fubar for its happy hours.
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.
As for activities, there’s a mix of experiences to get stuck into – snowshoeing, paragliding and ice skating in Chamonix to name a few.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Argentiere
Best time to visit & ski 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.
Peak Dates
Browse the market stalls in Chamonix and ski some of the best snow in the valley over Christmas in Argentière.
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.
Often a cheaper, quieter base than Chamonix, with a short transfer from Geneva makes Half Term in Argentière amazing.
Thanks to a glacier and north facing ski area, Easter in Argentière is an excellent way to experience the Chamonix Valley.
Families in Argentiere
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.
GroupsGroup Holidays Argentiere
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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