Airport

About Argentiere

The beautiful, traditional setting of Argentiere, situated 8km up the Chamonix Valley, high up in the Haute Savoie region, hides a powder-packed secret. This is home to some of the most heart-stopping, challenging skiing in France. Expert skiers come in droves to this challenging paradise. The world famous couloirs and steep gullies of the Grand Montets are awe-inspiring, as is the Valley Blanche, which stretches from the Aiguille du Midi down to Chamonix 24 km later.

One of the smaller resorts in the area, the sunny, cosy resort still has a lively après-ski atmosphere and plenty to do. And Chamonix is only 8 km down the valley, with an abundance of shops, bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs for every taste under the sun. Aiguille du Midi is one of Europe's highest cable cars, and gives you access to the Valley Blanche and wild off-piste terrain. If you need a break from hitting the slopes - you can take in Chamonix's beautiful scenery from the cable car or Montenvers rail route.

The lovely village has retained lots of traditional wooden house, alongside ancient farmhouses where farmers still live off mountain agriculture. Looking out at the view each morning is breathtaking, with some of the most magnificent peaks and glaciers in the Alps surrounding you.

For beginners

For intermediates

For the advanced

Ski school

Après Ski

Off the Mountain

Getting there

By air

Airport transfers

By train

By car

For beginners

There are some good beginner slopes at Argentiere, but the emphasis is on more difficult runs, so it might be more comfortable for some learners to head to Le Tour, which is close by and has great wide open groomed beginner slopes.

For intermediates

Intermediates will find plenty of good blue pistes, and can also head to the Grand Montets, Flegere and Brevent areas. The red runs at Argentiere will push intermediates to take their skiing to the next level.

For the advanced

Argentiere is an expert skier's paradise! Some of the most challenging skiing in the Alps can be found here, and if you love adrenaline, then it is definitely the ski area for you. From the Grand Montets gullies and couloirs to the 2000 m vertical drop from the summit to Argentiere, to the awesome Rectiligne gully - you'll never want to leave the slopes.

Ski school

While the ski school instructors have plenty of places to teach beginners the basics, confident skiers shouldn't rule out getting lessons here to. It's the perfect place to let an instructor safely teach you how to handle more difficult terrain.

Adventure en Tete 620, route du Plagnolet F-74400 Argentiere
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 54 05 11
Fax: +33 (0)4 50 54 00 81
info@aventureentete.com
http://www.aventureentete.com/
Ecole De Ski Argentiere 329, rue Charlet Straton
F-74400 Argentiere
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 54 00 12
Fax: +33 (0)4 50 54 10 90
info@esf-argentiere.com
http://www.esf-argentiere.com/
Panda Club
115, chemin des Cartérons
F-74400 Argentiere
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 54 04 76
Fax: +33 (0)4 50 55 91 33
pandaclub@wanadoo.fr
http://www.panda-club.com/
Ski School ESF Argentiere Prices 2008/2009
Ecole du Ski Français +33 450 54 00 12
www.esf-argentiere-valleedechamonix.com
Facilities for Children
The E.S.F in Argentière offer classes for children aged between 4
and 12. The Panda Club in Argentière offers daily ski sessions for 4-12 year olds in the Jardin des Neiges near the Lognan lift station.

Après Ski

There's a vibrant nightlife at Argentiere, with 20 bars and 3 nightclubs offering a range of choice. The Office Bar is the centre of activity, and a great place to meet people and check out live music, then try heading on to Rusticana or The Stone Bar to continue into the night. On the Grand Montets mountain, you can find great food at La Crèmerie du Glacier, surrounded by woods. Rusticana does a delicious wide mix of food, and The Stone Bar serves good pizza. For even more (or livelier) après-ski options, head over to Chamonix, known for its fantastic nightlife.

Off the Mountain

There's a good set-up for off the slopes treats at Argentiere, with much to entertain you. Warm up in the heated outdoor pool, go ice skating, shopping or get your body slope-ready in the fitness room. Equally fun: snowshoeing, walking trails, skidoo, parapenting, bowling, a cinema, squash, indoor tennis, climbing and helicopter flights.

Getting there

By air

Argentiere is very convenient to get to with short transfer times from the nearby airports. The closest is Geneva (70 km), followed by Chambery (80 km) and Lyon Saint-Exupery (150km).

Geneva Airport
+41 22 799 59 99
Chambery
+33 479 54 49 54
Lyon Saint-Exupery
+33 472 22 72 21

Airport transfers

Pre-book your taxi transfer with Peak Retreats
From Geneva Airport to Argentiere - from £75 per person return based on 4 people sharing.

By train

You can jump on the TGV to Saint-Gervais, and then get a 35km transfer or a regional train to Argentiere.

By car

The driving distance from Calais to Argentiere is 563miles (7hrs50). From Calais, take the A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Mâcon then the ‘Autoroute Blanche' Motorway (A40 Mâcon - Cluses) and exit Chamonix. Follow the signs to Argentière (4km from Chamonix) on the N506.

Resort rating and reviews

04 November 2010

Traveller rating: 5 star