Travel to Argentière with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Argentière ski resort is situated in the Chamonix Valley, high up in the Haute Savoie region of France, and is surrounded by stunning scenery. It is one of the smaller resort towns in the Chamonix area, favoured by more advanced skiers rather than those at beginner or intermediate levels. Argentière ski resort is renowned for Le Grand Montets, the ski area situated closest to the resort. This slope offers challenging off-piste and black-piste skiing, and is said by some to be the finest piece of lift-served ski terrain in the world.

The village, though small, is well-equipped with amenities and après-ski venues, facilitating enjoyable off-slope time and a lively night scene. Within Argentière resort are 16 ski runs, extending over a total of 30kms and featuring 11 lifts. Although these slopes range from beginner to advanced levels, the emphasis at Argentière is on experience, and lower level skiers might feel more comfortable at neighbouring Le Tour.

Facilities in the resort of Argentière include: a bank, supermarket, sports centre, gym, bowling alley, swimming pool and childcare centre. The resort has a wide variety of shops and a multitude of restaurants, with some of the best eateries in the Chamonix region. Marti Restaurant is particularly popular for its superb nouvelle cuisine. Nightlife is vibrant in Argentière, with 20 bars and 3 nightclubs providing ample entertainment for the ski resort.

Aigulle du Midi is one of Europe’s highest cable cars, giving access to the Valley Blanche and numerous other off-piste routes. Alternatively, if you feel like a break from the slopes, Chamonix features beautiful scenery that can be viewed by cable car or the Montenvers rail route.

The ski season at Argentière is a traditional winter one, running from November to May. The most convenient way to get to Argentière is by taking a flight to Geneva Airport, and arranging a transfer from there.

Skiing in Argentière

Argentière is one of the several smaller resorts that make up the Chamonix ski area, situated amid stunningly beautiful scenery in France’s Haute Savoie region. For many of those at the advanced level, Argentière’s Le Grand Montets is a skiing Mecca, with some of the best and trickiest off-piste and black-piste options to choose from.

Argentière is made up of 16 runs, amounting to a total piste area of 30kms. The bulk of these (63 per cent) are geared towards intermediate level or expert skiers, many of whom also try their luck on the off-piste options for which Le Grand Montets is famous. The remaining 37 per cent of runs are devoted to beginners. The resort encompasses 11 lifts, the highest of which goes up to 3,275m. Additionally, Argentière offers 43kms of cross-country skiing trails.

The ski season runs from November to May, but Argentières high altitude ensures good snowfall late in the season, so its best to go at the end of the season, when the crowds have dispersed.

The area surrounding Argentière abounds with alternative ski options to those within the resort, as the Chamonix area consists of five separate ski areas covered by one ski pass which allows unlimited access. Neighbouring Le Tour features gentle slopes ideal for beginners. Brévent and Flégère are two linked areas providing a variety of terrain for all beginners, excellent restaurants and wonderful views of the Mont Blanc Massif.

Apres-ski in Argentière

The attraction of Argentière doesn’t stop just at the slopes, however. The village is small but lively, and well-equipped with facilities and entertainment venues. It features approximately 80 restaurants, some of which serve some of the Chamonix Valley’s most impressive cuisine.

There is also good nightlife, with 20 bars and 3 nightclubs. Among the more popular venues are the 9 Bar, which is well-priced and puts on events and games evenings, and the Office Bar, which has Sky Sports for those who can’t bear to miss the Sunday afternoon action.

Argentière offers plenty of alternative exercise options for non-skiers, with a gym, sports centre, swimming pool, ice-skating rink and hang-gliding facilities. Additionally, there is a bowling alley, bank, supermarket and childcare facilities. There is a large range of accommodation options, with hotels, chalets and apartments on offer. The village has a laid-back, informal atmosphere, conducive to ultimate fun and relaxation.

Transportation to Argentière

Chamonix, located in the Haute Savoie region of France, is situated in an accessible position, close to the Swiss and Italian borders, and easy to reach from the UK. Its possible to reach Argentière by car (after taking the ferry to France, if youre coming from the UK), train, or plane (with a transfer from nearby airports).

Driving to Argentière from Paris involves covering a distance of 622kms. The resort is accessible from the capital by taking the A6 to Macon, then the A40 to Saint-Gervais, and the N205 to Chamonix Mont Blanc. From Chamonix, continue up the valley to Argentière. If you are planning on taking the ferry from the UK to France and driving on to Argentière, be prepared for an 8- to 12-hour journey from the port of Calais.

Rail travel is another effective way of reaching the resort. Eurostar offers services from London Waterloo to Paris and Saint Gervais les Bains; it also offers a direct service to Bourge St Maurice and Aime La Plange on Fridays and Saturdays (overnighter), taking about 10 hours. From these destinations, it is easy to connect with the local SNCF (French Rail) trains up the Chamonix Valley. It is also possible to take the train from Geneva to Argentière.

The quickest and most convenient way of reaching the resort is by air, although you will need to organise transport to Argentière from one of the nearby airports, as Chamonix does not have its own airport. Argentière can be easily reached from Geneva Airport (98kms), Lyon (228kms) and Turin. From Geneva and Lyon, there are regular coach services to Argentière. Airport Transfer Services and Trans74.com offer transfer services from Geneva and Turin to the Chamonix Valley.

Eurolines provides a direct coach service to Chamonix from London Victoria Coach Station. This is probably the cheapest way of getting to Argentière. Coaches normally depart on Friday afternoon and arrive at Chamonix train station at lunchtime on Saturday.

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