Argentiere introduction
General Information
Argentiere is a mountain village located in the French Alps and is in the commune of Chamoix Mont Blanc. The elevation of Argentiere is 1,200 meters or about 3,900 feet. The highest lift point is at 3,297 meters or about 10,800 feet. The resort is at the base of the Les Grands Montet and is the starting point for the Telepherique du Lognon cable car. Argentiere also has snowmaking machines in case the snowfall is lighter than desired in some places. Because of the glacier, skiing is possible all year round. Argentiere has what is considered some of the best high altitude skiing in Europe with cable cars running all year long. And there are helicopter rides for those wanting to ride in one.
Winter Activities
During the winter, there is plenty of skiing and snow boarding for all levels of experience over five different areas. There are ten ski lifts and a cable car and a number of other ski areas within an hour’s drive of Argentiere. Besides catering to downhill skiers, there are several trails for cross-country skiers and back country skiers and trails for snowshoe-hiking. There are guides available to give tours of the back-country for a wonderful skiing experience. There are ski schools and places to buy ski equipment. And there is ice-climbing for those who wish to try out the glacier. There is also dog sledding and ski-joering, which is a sport which requires the skier to be towed behind a horse or a donkey and have fun. Ice skating and ice hockey matches are played even during nights.
Summer Activities
Hiking is popular during the summer months. There are eleven incredible golf courses at Argentiere, so golfing is one of the favorite summer activities here in Argentiere. Among other summer activities that are available, there are mountaineering, river-rafting, tennis, squash, swimming, mountain biking, glacier walking, horseback riding, and bowling. Guides can lead tours when wanted up onto the glacier or around the many miles of trails. Mountain biking and hiking involve a variety of difficulties from the most strenuous hiking to the most gentle and child-friendly ones. There is also paragliding and there is a paragliding school at Argentiere. And if someone wants to paraglide who doesn’t know how and doesn’t want to take classes, there is tandem paragliding available. There are other fun activities like fishing, helicopter rides, and hot air balloon rides; to accompany some culinary treats are available as well.
Other Information
The first Winter Olympics in 1924 were held in Argentiere. There is also a cinema in Argentiere which shows films in both French and English. There are guides in Argentiere who can take people on hiking and skiing tours of the area. Also, there are a number of hotels and restaurants in the area which provide music and festivities. Also, every year, there is a contest among the farmers of Argentiere and two nearby towns to find the “Queen of the Cows” which will be the cow to be used in breeding for the next year.