Argentiere ski resort information
Argentiere is located at 1240m on the road to La Tour from Chamonix; it’s about 8 minutes by road to the centre of Chamonix. Normally clients staying here do as much skiing on the Chamonix slopes as they do in Argentiere and the two are connected via bus and train.
Argentiere like Chamonix has a reputation for off piste skiing and snowboarding and being a magnet for the worlds elite winter sports enthusiast. The Grand Montets is the major part of this reputation and Argentiere offers the most convenient and direct access to it from its cable car. The Descent form Les Grands Montets at 3297m down to the village at 1200m is via the piste Du Point de Vue or alternatively Des Pylones run, a route of 8km dropping some 2100m vertical making it one of the worlds greatest lift served descents.
The tourist office in Argentiere are keen to point out that its not just the experts who value the terrain but beginners and children also find plenty of great skiing and snowboarding here too. A little further up the valley is Le Tour a traditional mountain village at the head of the Chamonix valley. Here the slopes are mainly at the easy end of the ski spectrum and where most beginners will head for.
The old village of Argentiere has retained its traditional village feel and although some new and modern development has taken place in recent years it’s not affected the overall charm of the village.
Ski Line offers a limited number of catered ski chalets, some wonderful new luxury self catered apartments and a good selection of hotels of all levels.
Après ski in the ski resort of Argentiere
Argentiere has a good selection of bars, some playing music or with live bands. We particularly recommend the Office which is popular with Brits. For eating out the choices are excellent, The Dahu has a great menu and reasonable prices. Fantastic pizzas are available from “The Stones” However many visitors prefer the wider choices of night life available in Chamonix just down the valley and easily reached via local bus or train. Here there is a huge selection of Night clubs, discos and even a lap dancing bar.
Activities off the slopes in the ski resort of Argentiere
For non skiers, Chamonix is one of the best ski resorts to stay, the wide choice of shopping available is an obvious draw. It’s also possible to make day trips to Courmayeur and Turin via the Mont Blanc Tunnel or the beautiful lake side town of Annecy or Geneva is only 90 minutes away. You can also meet your more active family or friends on the slopes for lunch (pedestrian lift pass required) . There’s ice climbing, a sport centre and you can also take the cable up the Aiguille Midi for the wonderful 360 degree views.
Beginners skiing in the ski resort of Argentiere
The best area for beginners to master the basics is at Le Tour 1455m, Le Tour offers the best nursery slopes in the whole Chamonix valley.
Intermediates skiing in the ski resort of Argentiere
Nervous intermediate skiers and snowboarders will love the cruising runs at La Tour, its slopes are generally quiet. Don’t let Argentiere and Chamonix’s reputation put you off, there are some very good Blue and red pistes available for intermediates
Advanced skiing in the ski resort of Argentiere
Heaven for the advanced skiers, we don’t think you find a guide book that could dispute that Argentiere and Chamonix are a must ski resort for all advanced skiers and snowboarders. If you like your slopes steep and deep look no further.
Snowboarding in the ski resort of Argentiere
Argentiere and Chamonix are to free riders two of the very best snowboarding destinations anywhere in the world. The geography of the mountain makes it most suited to intermediate and advanced boarders who like wild and steep terrain. Most of the lifts are cable cars, gondola’s and chairs but inexperienced boarders might find some of the drags lifts at Balme can cause problems. |