Argentiere - France
The small village of Argentiere (Ar-jon-tee-air) retains a picturesque mountain feel with a large number of traditional wooden houses, as well as ancient farmhouses, against the spectacular back-drop of Aiguille du Midi and the 4810m high Mont-Blanc. A free bus service links to Chamonix further down the valley. The hotels, bars and restaurants, whilst not numerous, are unfussy and offer good value in comparison with those in Chamonix. The entire valley gets busier at weekends due to the ease of access in one hour from Geneva Airport.
Between Chamonix and Argentiere lies some of the best terrain in the Alps for serious skiers, from bumps and powder bowls to steeps and gullies; intermediate terrain this is not! A guide with local knowledge is highly recommended to safely access some of the more remote yet exhilarating glacial fields. Above Argentiere itself, north facing slopes have an excellent snow holding record, often lasting through into early summer.
At a glance
| Resort altitude | 1252m - 1252m |
|---|---|
| Highest lift | 3840m |
| Lowest lift | 1035m |
| kms of piste | 30km² |
| Black pistes | 5% |
| Red pistes | 5% |
| Blue pistes | 4% |
| Green pistes | 2% |
| Snow parks | 0 |
| Glacier | Yes |
| Snowmaking | No |
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Five to try
- Glacier walking - put on your crampons and go hiking up the stunning Argentiere glacier.
- Helicopter Tours - Relax and enjoy the stunning views as you fly over the Haute Savoie.
- Husky sledding - Be in charge of your own sled and team of excitable husky dogs.
- Paragliding ('Parapente') Take to the skies accompanied by an instructor.
- Museums & Galleries If you’re a bit of a culture vulture, drop in to one of the galleries or museums in town.
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Planning your trip
The proximity to Geneva is both a strength and weakness of the Chamonix valley. On one hand, the area is perfect for ski weekends and short breaks. Within an hour’s drive from the airport you could be on the slopes for lunchtime after an early morning flight. On the downside, the easy access can mean that in more...
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Where to stay
A lot of people choose to stay in Chamonix for better nightlife but if your priority is the skiing rather than the party scene there are plenty of good options in the village itself. This resort tends to attract people serious about first tracks on the mighty Grand Montets, and the Gite Le Belvedere combines cheap and more...
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Food and drink
Argentiere is a small but lively resort and punches above its weight in terms of places to eat and drink. The town itself has several excellent eateries, mostly in the Rue Charlet Stratton, and despite being less glamorous in name than neighbouring Chamonix, some of the best more...
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Things to do
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On the piste
Many people will argue that the terrain around Grand Montets is the best accessible by lift in the World, and with the cablecar from Argentiere offering the quickest access it is no surprise that the resort attracts serious skiers. The maximum vertical descent is a staggering 2045m, but in order to reach the very top more...
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MadDogView
A 15 minute drive from Chamonix, Argentiere has a more villagy vibe than its neighbour and, with Les Grand Montets soaring up above the town and a lovely centre valley situation, there's no surprise that it's such a popular place to stay.
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Map
- Download piste map
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Our favourites
Restaurant de Charamillon
At the top of Le Tour, Charamillion, gondola turn right to get to this bustling restaurant, cafeteria and picnic area. As usual in a mountain restaurant the prices aren't cheap but certainly worth it for the view down the valley. Take a picnic instead and enjoy the deckchair area that has the best views and more space. -
Useful stuff
