The high-altitude resort, “entangled” with ski slopes of varying difficulty, appears before the astonished traveler in all its beauty, against the backdrop of the majestic Mont Blanc. Argentières is just a small village, but how famous and popular it is among winter sports enthusiasts! For avid skiers, all types of ski slopes are offered here: easy, medium and difficult, for professionals.

Therefore, Argentiere is unofficially called a resort for “advanced” skiers, for whom the main thing is the increased complexity of the track, and not at all “five-star” accommodation conditions.

It will be interesting for parents with 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 one! So where can your child see so much snow and the legendary Mont Blanc?

Argentière on the map of France

Argentière is a resort village in France, located in the eastern part of the Chamonix Valley, right at the foot of Mont Blanc. The village, with an area of 54 sq. km, is permanently inhabited by a little more than two thousand people. In ancient times, this high-altitude region was inhabited by Gaulish tribes. Then the region passed to modern France. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Argentière has become a ski resort. The main source of income is the tourism sector.

If you look at the map (the distance from Argentière to Geneva is 90 km, to Bern 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 closer.

Weather, climate and skiing season

The climate in Argentière is continental, temperate. Due to its high location above sea level, 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 Argentière

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 Argentière from another point, simply change the departure point in the calendar.

From Chamonix or Geneva, you can get to Argentière by bus or taxi. There is also a railway to the village. By the way, there is no organized transport network in Argentière itself, only lifts to the tops of the ski slopes. Therefore, from the car or train station to the hotel, most likely, you will have to walk.

Where to stay in Argentière

In Argentière, tourists can enjoy two high-class luxury hotels – Les Grands Montets and the Lagrange Vacances Le Cristal d’Argentière complex, both of which have 4 stars. As well as several dozen more budget chalets.

Therefore, the prices in this French resort are much lower than in neighboring Chamonix. And this is despite the fact that the pleasure of skiing on the local slopes is much greater!

#1. Les Grands Montets

Before moving on to budget hotels in Argentière, let’s find out what the Les Grands Montets chalet offers guests. It is so beautiful that you want to look at it! The rooms offer views of Mont Blanc or the Argentière glacier. The design is simple, 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

A three-star chalet in Argentière, at the foot of Mont Blanc. The rooms are no-frills, but quite cozy; there is a bath/shower, some have balconies with mountain views, and they heat well. The hotel has free parking and a restaurant.

#3. Le Dahu, Argentières

A simple, clean, neat 2-star hotel, chosen by serious skiers. In addition to warmth and the necessities of life, the rooms have balconies and soundproofing. Parking is free. The nearest lift to the hotel is Le Praz – La Flégère.

#4. Yeti Lodge Chalets, Argentiere

The chalet is close to the Le Grand Monte ski lift. The rooms are freshly renovated (you can choose a room for 4 people!), there is wi-fi, there is parking. The hotel has good breakfasts, and you can drink tea or coffee for free at any time in the lounge area. Moreover, in your free time you can go to the sauna and even to the solarium!

#5. Gite le Belvedere

This is one of the most booked hostels in Argentière. There are both shared rooms with shared showers and private double rooms with private bathrooms. Wardrobes, equipment storage, drying, a shared kitchen – everything is there. There is a large area near the hostel where you can even play tennis.

Trails and ski areas in Argentières

The main goal of tourists coming to rest in Argentières is high-mountain slopes of varying difficulty. The altitude difference of the ski area is between 1035 – 3284 m. There are 17 trails with a total length of 150 km on this site, among which easy ones prevail – about 52%. The Argentière slopes of medium difficulty occupy 36%, and the difficult ones – 12% of the total area of the zone.

In addition, 14 km are allocated for cross-country skiing, there is a half-pipe. Excellent opportunities open up at the Argentière resort for those who prefer extreme skiing off-piste, in virgin territory. It is good not only to ski here, but also to snowboard (there is a separate descent for snowboarders).

46 modern lifts deliver sports enthusiasts to the start of the slopes.

Argentière Ski Resort

Alpine Chalets (Argentière, France)

Lifts and equipment rental in Argentière

Emergency helicopter near Mont Blanc (Argentière, France)

In addition, it is at the Argentière resort that competitions are held annually as part of the French Snowboarding Cup.

Prices in Argentière

Argentière can be called one of the most democratic in terms of price ski resorts in France. This is one of those positive moments that attract foreign guests. Vacationers from the former CIS countries, despite the low prices in Argentière, know this alpine village offensively little.

Some still prefer to spend solid sums in Courchevel.

Après ski: what to do in Argentière

In addition to the unique opportunities for skiers and snowboarders, in Argentière you can go ice skating or snowshoeing. There are squash courts and swimming pools, billiard and bowling clubs, and tennis courts. There are nurseries and kindergartens for those who come to rest with families. The resort has 25 restaurants, 12 cozy bars, many cafes and discos.

Central square of the town of Argentière

The bridge is the main attraction of Argentière

The village’s main street

Those who want to further diversify their vacation in Argentière can go to the neighboring resorts of the Chamonix Valley to try their luck at the casino, visit the cinemas or spend time in the trendy nightlife of the region.

Argentière has 18 small restaurants with French and international cuisine, there are bars and a disco.

The hotel with the same name restaurant Le Rosebud is located a few kilometers from Chamonix. Wonderful food, interesting flavors, combinations and wines.

Even in the daily menu you will find sensationally delicious dishes. The place is not cheap (about 400 euros for 4 people), but worth it. The service is friendly, although, to be honest, a little good-natured and cheeky.

A very nice French restaurant La Remise with quite high prices. It is worth going here if you really understand French cuisine, love it and are ready to pay about 30 euros for a steak. The atmosphere is very pleasant, the service too. 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 great place to enjoy the view of the Mont Blanc massif over a cup of good tea! In France, people prefer completely different drinks, so if you miss real tea during your vacation, come here! There is plenty to choose from, and the desserts will not leave you indifferent either! In summer, it’s good to sit at a table on the street so that you can see both the church and the old houses in the center …

Les Marmottons is a great stop for lunch, a final snack after a day of 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.

In Chamonix – bowling (8 lanes), billiards club with a Russian table. Casino with French and English roulette, blackjack, slot machines (until 03:00). Three cinemas, discos, night eateries, bars, video bars, over 200 restaurants of various levels – a paradise for gourmets, 200 shops. Bridge club. Library.

Active leisure

A 32-kilometer cross-country ski trail runs through Argentière, and in the summer, mountaineering, hiking and mountain running enthusiasts come here. For other entertainment, you will have to go to Chamonix. There are facilities for tourists: a sports complex with tennis and squash courts, an indoor skating rink, Turkish baths, swimming pools and a fitness center, and when weather conditions allow, you can also go paragliding.

Excursions in the surrounding area

From the town, you can take a trip throughout the Chamonix Valley. This is a place of fantastic landscapes, serpentine roads, ancient churches, fortresses and monasteries – be sure, 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 also go to Switzerland on your own, directly from Argentière, if you don’t want to take an organized tour.

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 Argentière from Geneva airport, then Switzerland is unlikely to interest you (at least, before leaving home). We recommend that you visit the nearby Italian resort Courmayeur. Conduct, so to speak, reconnaissance on the ground, so that next year you can rush to Italy.

For trips to the surrounding area, a rental car would be the ideal solution. Pleasure is expensive, but the impressions and opportunities are countless!

Let’s sum up

In this village you will find all the “33 pleasures” on a very small area, deep in the Alps. Rest in Argentiere is the best that the famous European ranges can offer. Who is the ski resort suitable for? Both skiers who love extreme sports and those who have just started skiing. Picturesque mountains, excellent snow, infrastructure, low prices for hotels in Argentiere, in turn, will complement the impression.