The high mountain resort, “entangled” with ski tracks of various levels of difficulty, appears before the surprised traveler in all its beauty, against the backdrop of the majestic Mont Blanc mountain. Argentier is just a small village, but it is famous and popular among winter sports enthusiasts! For avid skiers, all types of ski tracks are offered here: easy, medium and difficult, for professionals.
Therefore, Argentiere is unofficially called a resort of “advanced” skiers, for whom the main thing is the increased difficulty of the track, and not at all “five-star” living conditions.
It will be interesting for parents and children to relax here. After all, Argentiere has ski schools, experienced instructors, and a children’s ski pass is an order of magnitude cheaper than an adult! And where will your child be able to see so much snow and the legendary Mont Blanc mountain?
Argentier on the map of France
Argentiere is a resort village in France, located in the eastern part of the Chamonix Valley, right at the foot of Mont Blanc. In the village with an area of 54 square meters. km are permanently inhabited by a little more than two thousand people. In ancient times, this highland area was inhabited by Gaul tribes. Then the region passed to modern France. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Argentiere has turned into a ski resort. The main source of income is tourism.
If you look at the map (the distance from Argentiere to Geneva is 90 km, to Berne is 190 km, and to Lyon is 240 km), you understand that Switzerland is no less close to the resort than France. And maybe even more.
Weather, climate and skiing season
The climate in Argentier is continental and temperate. Due to its high location above sea level, the snow cover on the mountain slopes lasts from December to May. The average temperature in winter is -3º, in summer +19º. The ski season lasts from December to the first decade of May.
How to get to Argentiere
The nearest airport is in Geneva, 90 km from the resort. There are direct flights from Kyiv, as well as more budget options with transfers. If you plan to get to Argentiere from another point, just change the place of departure in the calendar.
Argentières can be reached by bus or taxi from Chamonix or Geneva. A railway also leads to the village. By the way, there is no organized transport network in Argentiere itself, only lifts to the top of the ski slopes. Therefore, you will most likely have to walk from the car or train station to the hotel.
Where to stay in Argentieri
In Argentière, two high-class fashionable hotels are at the service of tourists – Les Grands Montets and the Lagrange Vacances complex Le Cristal d’Argentière, both of which have 4 stars. And also several dozen more budget chalets.
That is why the prices in this French resort are much lower than in neighboring Chamonix. And this despite the fact that the pleasure of riding on local tracks is much more!
#1. Les Grands Montets
Before moving on to budget hotels in Argentiere , let’s find out what Les Grands Montets chalets offer to guests. It is so beautiful that you want to look at it! The rooms offer views of Mont Blanc or the Argentiere glacier. Laconic design, but everything is very stylish. The hotel has a swimming pool, an outdoor jacuzzi, a bar by the fireplace, a billiard room, a sauna and a restaurant.
#2. Hôtel de la Couronne
Three-star chalet in Argentiere, at the foot of Mont Blanc. The rooms are no frills, but quite cozy; there is a bath/shower, some have balconies with a view of the mountains, good heating. The hotel has free parking and a restaurant.
#3. Le Dahu, Argentiere
A simple, clean, neat 2-star hotel, chosen by serious skiers. The rooms, in addition to heat and things necessary for life, have balconies and soundproofing. Parking is free. The nearest ski lift to the hotel is Le Praz – La Fleugere.
#4. Yeti Lodge Chalets, Argentiere
The chalet is close to the Le Grand Monte ski lift. Newly renovated rooms (you can choose a room for 4 people!), wi-fi works, there is parking. The hotel has good breakfasts, and at any time you can drink tea or coffee in the lounge area for free. Moreover, in your free time you can go to the sauna and even to the solarium!
#5. Gite le Belvedere
This is a hostel, one of the most booked in Argentiere. There are both shared rooms with a shared shower and separate double rooms with a separate bathroom. Closets for clothes, storage rooms for equipment, drying room, common kitchen – everything is there. Near the hostel there is a large area where you can even play tennis.
Tracks and skiing areas in Argentieri
The main goal of tourists coming to rest in Argentiere is alpine descents of varying difficulty. The height difference of the skiing area is between 1035 and 3284 m. There are 17 trails with a total length of 150 km in this area, among which the light ones predominate – about 52% of them. Argentieru tracks of medium difficulty occupy 36%, and difficult – 12% of the total area of the zone.
In addition, 14 km are set aside for cross-country ski trails, and there is a half-pipe. Excellent opportunities open up at the Argentiere resort for those who prefer extreme off-piste skiing in the wilderness. Here it is good to go not only skiing, but also snowboarding (there is a separate slope for snowboarders).
46 modern lifts bring sports fans to the start of the slopes.
Argentier ski resort
Alpine Chalets (Argentier, France)
Lifts and equipment rental in Argentiere
Emergency helicopter near Mont Blanc (Argentier, France)
In addition, it is at the Argentiere resort that competitions are held annually as part of the French Snowboarding Cup.
Prices in Argentieri
Argentiere can be called one of the most affordable ski resorts in France . This is one of those positive points that attract foreign guests. Vacationers from the countries of the former CIS, despite the low prices in Argentiere, know this alpine village insultingly little.
Some still prefer to spend substantial sums in Courchevel .
Après ski: what to do in Argentiere
In addition to unique opportunities for skiers and snowboarders, Argentiere offers ice skating and snowshoeing. There are squash courts and swimming pools, billiards and bowling clubs, tennis courts. Nurseries and kindergartens are open for those who come on vacation with families. The resort has 25 restaurants, 12 cozy bars, many cafes and discotheques.
The central square of the town of Argentier
The bridge is the main attraction of Argentiere
Central street of the village
Those who want to diversify their holiday in Argentiere even more can go to the nearby resorts of the Chamonix Valley to try their luck in the casino, visit the cinemas or spend time in the trendy night spots of the region.
There are 18 small restaurants with French and international cuisine in Argentiere, as well as bars and a disco.
The hotel with the restaurant of the same name, Le Rosebud, is located a few kilometers from Chamonix. Great food, interesting aromas, combinations and wines.
Even in the daily menu you will find sensationally delicious dishes. The town is not cheap (about 400 euros for 4 people), but worth it. The service is friendly, which is true, a little good-natured-insolent.
Very nice French restaurant La Remise with quite high prices. It is worth going here if you really know French cuisine, love it and are ready to pay about 30 euros for a steak. The atmosphere is very pleasant, and so is the service. The menu has dishes for every taste: fish from Lake Geneva, of course, snails, scallops, steaks… A large selection of French wine.
Tete a the is a nice place to admire the view of the Mont Blanc massif with a cup of good tea! In France, they prefer completely different drinks, so if you are bored of real tea during your vacation, then come here! There is a lot to choose from, and the desserts will not leave you indifferent either! In the summer, it is good to sit at a table on the street so that you can see the church and the old houses in the center…
Les Marmottons is a great stop for lunch, a final bite after a day’s skiing or a glass of beer/wine. Lots of people, lively. The restaurant is right next to the slope. Good wine at a great price. At rush hour, the restaurant is full to the brim, but the waiters do an excellent job.
Chamonix has a bowling alley (8 lanes), a billiards club with a Russian table. Casino with French and English roulette, blackjack, slot machines (until 03:00). Three cinemas, discotheques, nightclubs, bars, video bars, more than 200 restaurants of various levels – a paradise for gourmets, 200 shops. Bridge Club. Library.
Active recreation
A 32-kilometer cross-country ski track passes through Argentiere, and in the summer, lovers of mountaineering, hiking and mountain running come here. You will have to go to Chamonix for other entertainment. There is a sports complex with tennis and squash courts, an indoor ice rink, Turkish baths, swimming pools, and a fitness center. Weather permitting, you can also go paragliding.
Excursions around the neighborhood
From the town you can make a trip throughout the Chamonix Valley. It is a place of fantastic landscapes, serpentine roads, ancient churches, fortresses and monasteries – you can be sure that there is something to admire and capture in a photo. And since the valley closely borders the Swiss Alps, travel companies offer regular excursions from Chamonix to Geneva.
By the way, you can go to Switzerland on your own, directly from Argentiere, if you don’t want to use an organized excursion.
Mountains and peaks of Chamonix (Argentière, France)
And here is Mont Blanc itself, at the foot of which you will live!
If you arrived in Argentiere from Geneva airport, Switzerland is unlikely to interest you (at least until you leave for home). We recommend that you visit the nearby Italian resort of Courmayeur . Conduct, so to speak, reconnaissance in the area in order to rush to Italy next year.
Renting a car is the ideal solution for trips around the area. Pleasure is expensive, but impressions and opportunities are countless!
Let’s sum up
In this village you will find all “33 pleasures” in a very small area, in the depths of the Alpine mountains. Rest in Argentiere is the best that the famous European mountain ranges can offer. Who is suitable for a ski resort? Both for skiers who love extreme, and for those who have just started skiing. Picturesque mountains, excellent snow, infrastructure, low prices for hotels in Argentiera, in turn, will complement the impression.