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Argentiere
Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Argentiere? Specifically, we
are thinking about trying to get a second week skiing later in the season (April): 1. What is the drive like from the UK (I'm assuming we'd use the tunnel) 2. What is the condition of the roads in the resort? 3. What are the blue runs like as we'll be with the kids (8 & 5) Rob |
#2
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Argentiere
Just back from Argentiere last week conditions excellent. In answer to your
questions....... 1. Just drive to Chamonix. Don't go through the tunnel Argentiere is in France not Italy 2. The access to ski area is from valley level no more problem than anywhere else and unless uncleared after a dump should not need chains. 3. Why Argentiere? Don't get me wrong I love it. its some of the best skiing in the Cham valley. But with kids of that age I'm not so sure. I would suggest Les Tours or Les Hooches which are more family orientated and have better slopes for that age group. you also have a car so there is nothing stopping you trying it one day. In spring we often ski Brevant / Flagere in the morning and Argentiere in the afternoon when much of it is still in shade. How my opinions help. Peter. "LittleRob" wrote in message ... Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Argentiere? Specifically, we are thinking about trying to get a second week skiing later in the season (April): 1. What is the drive like from the UK (I'm assuming we'd use the tunnel) 2. What is the condition of the roads in the resort? 3. What are the blue runs like as we'll be with the kids (8 & 5) Rob |
#3
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Argentiere
Snorer wrote:
Just back from Argentiere last week conditions excellent. In answer to your questions....... 1. Just drive to Chamonix. Don't go through the tunnel Argentiere is in France not Italy 2. The access to ski area is from valley level no more problem than anywhere else and unless uncleared after a dump should not need chains. 3. Why Argentiere? Don't get me wrong I love it. its some of the best skiing in the Cham valley. But with kids of that age I'm not so sure. I would suggest Les Tours or Les Hooches which are more family orientated and have better slopes for that age group. you also have a car so there is nothing stopping you trying it one day. In spring we often ski Brevant / Flagere in the morning and Argentiere in the afternoon when much of it is still in shade. How my opinions help. Peter. "LittleRob" wrote in message ... Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Argentiere? Specifically, we are thinking about trying to get a second week skiing later in the season (April): 1. What is the drive like from the UK (I'm assuming we'd use the tunnel) 2. What is the condition of the roads in the resort? 3. What are the blue runs like as we'll be with the kids (8 & 5) Rob Peter Many thanks for the info. 1 Sorry, I didn't explain myself very well. When I said Tunnel I meant Eurotunnel. I was thinking about the overall drive time from UK-Argentiere. 2. Good to know, though I gather that Snow chains are a legal requirement in France (I once drove to Chatel and had to use the chain to get into the carpark !) 3. The only reasons for Argentiere are that: a) It seemed a reasonable trip from the UK (or perhaps from Geneva if we flew) b) Through a friend of a friend we were being offered a private rental at a reasonable rate and that's where it happens to be. Having said that, there's no point us going with the kids if it really isn't suitable. Thanks Rob |
#4
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Argentiere
In message
LittleRob wrote: Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Argentiere? Specifically, we are thinking about trying to get a second week skiing later in the season (April): 1. What is the drive like from the UK (I'm assuming we'd use the tunnel) 2. What is the condition of the roads in the resort? 3. What are the blue runs like as we'll be with the kids (8 & 5) Rob Yes I've been skiing in Argentiere every year for over 10 years and it's one of my favourite resorts for off-piste. Usually this has been for only a few days each season since we use Argentiere, or more recently Le Buet, as our base for the start of our annual ski-touring trips. The drive out is fine and takes about 12 hours if you swap drivers and only take short breaks. We generally leave Cambridge on a Friday evening after work and end up in Argentiere on the Saturday morning in time to enjoy the best part of a days skiing. There is quite often a lot of snow in Argentiere down to village level and the road between Chamonix and Argentiere is one where they require you to carry chains in your vehicle during winter months. I've encountered serious road conditions on about 25% of the trips I've made there. The road up to Argentiere itself has some nasty corners, bad cambers, and in some places a drop-off from the edge. In recent years they've put up concrete barriers alongside the road where there have been frequent accidents in the past. Argentiere is not a resort that I would think to recommend for beginners or for intermediates who are only wanting to cruise on blues. For example although the Grand Montet has a few blue runs I think some of them (particularly when icy conditions prevail) would be difficult to distinguish from red runs at some other resorts. The Grand Montet is very popular with advanced and expert skiers who wish to ski all over the mountain. Thus the pistes higher up tend to be used to get around the mountain for the off-piste runs, and the easier "blue runs" lower down are mainly used as a cachement to funnel all those off-piste skiers back to the lift system again. The alternative ski area easily accessible from a base in Argentiere is Le Tour. This is probably a better area for beginners and intermediates and it also has some great off-piste runs down into the Le Buet side of the hill or alternatively down into Switzerland. There is now a lift system that operates down into Le Buet. There is also a good train system that connects between Chamonix and via Agentiere, Le Buet and on into Switzerland and which allows for a lot of off-piste single day tours with a return by public transport. Cheers, Mike -- o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark \__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing, " || _`\,_ |__\ \ | immunology lecturer, antibody engineer and ` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user" |
#5
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Argentiere
Mike Clark wrote:
In message LittleRob wrote: Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Argentiere? Specifically, we are thinking about trying to get a second week skiing later in the season (April): 1. What is the drive like from the UK (I'm assuming we'd use the tunnel) 2. What is the condition of the roads in the resort? 3. What are the blue runs like as we'll be with the kids (8 & 5) Rob Yes I've been skiing in Argentiere every year for over 10 years and it's one of my favourite resorts for off-piste. Usually this has been for only a few days each season since we use Argentiere, or more recently Le Buet, as our base for the start of our annual ski-touring trips. The drive out is fine and takes about 12 hours if you swap drivers and only take short breaks. We generally leave Cambridge on a Friday evening after work and end up in Argentiere on the Saturday morning in time to enjoy the best part of a days skiing. There is quite often a lot of snow in Argentiere down to village level and the road between Chamonix and Argentiere is one where they require you to carry chains in your vehicle during winter months. I've encountered serious road conditions on about 25% of the trips I've made there. The road up to Argentiere itself has some nasty corners, bad cambers, and in some places a drop-off from the edge. In recent years they've put up concrete barriers alongside the road where there have been frequent accidents in the past. Argentiere is not a resort that I would think to recommend for beginners or for intermediates who are only wanting to cruise on blues. For example although the Grand Montet has a few blue runs I think some of them (particularly when icy conditions prevail) would be difficult to distinguish from red runs at some other resorts. The Grand Montet is very popular with advanced and expert skiers who wish to ski all over the mountain. Thus the pistes higher up tend to be used to get around the mountain for the off-piste runs, and the easier "blue runs" lower down are mainly used as a cachement to funnel all those off-piste skiers back to the lift system again. The alternative ski area easily accessible from a base in Argentiere is Le Tour. This is probably a better area for beginners and intermediates and it also has some great off-piste runs down into the Le Buet side of the hill or alternatively down into Switzerland. There is now a lift system that operates down into Le Buet. There is also a good train system that connects between Chamonix and via Agentiere, Le Buet and on into Switzerland and which allows for a lot of off-piste single day tours with a return by public transport. Cheers, Mike Mike Thanks for the info. You're not a million miles from us (We're about 20 miles South) so the timings would be almost spot on. However, as you are the 2nd person to suggest that Argentiere is not ideal I think we'll take the advice and continue looking. Many thanks Rob |
#6
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Argentiere
On Jan 28, 4:25*pm, LittleRob wrote:
Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Argentiere? Specifically, we are thinking about trying to get a second week skiing later in the season (April): 1. What is the drive like from the UK (I'm assuming we'd use the tunnel) 2. What is the condition of the roads in the resort? 3. What are the blue runs like as we'll be with the kids (8 & 5) Rob I am a big fan of Argentiere myself but would agree that Les Houches would be far better for you with the kids. Alternatively you could base yourself in Argentiere and ski in Le Tour which has some really nice easy run and is well suited to children. If you have a car this is easy enough (snow chains are only compulsory in France on some mountain roads when there is snow on the road - very unlikely you would need them for going there early April but you never know as they can still get snow in early May overthere). Early April should be fine for Le Tour or Les Houches although late April may not be as good from a snow point of view. Drive is easy from the UK as all motorway. More info including Eurotunnel packages on http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/ski/argentiere.htm http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/ski/les-houches.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ XS Peak Retreats http://www.peakretreats.co.uk Ski Collection http://www.skicollection.co.uk |
#7
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Argentiere
Excess wrote:
On Jan 28, 4:25 pm, LittleRob wrote: Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Argentiere? Specifically, we are thinking about trying to get a second week skiing later in the season (April): 1. What is the drive like from the UK (I'm assuming we'd use the tunnel) 2. What is the condition of the roads in the resort? 3. What are the blue runs like as we'll be with the kids (8 & 5) Rob I am a big fan of Argentiere myself but would agree that Les Houches would be far better for you with the kids. Alternatively you could base yourself in Argentiere and ski in Le Tour which has some really nice easy run and is well suited to children. If you have a car this is easy enough (snow chains are only compulsory in France on some mountain roads when there is snow on the road - very unlikely you would need them for going there early April but you never know as they can still get snow in early May overthere). Early April should be fine for Le Tour or Les Houches although late April may not be as good from a snow point of view. Drive is easy from the UK as all motorway. More info including Eurotunnel packages on http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/ski/argentiere.htm http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/ski/les-houches.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ XS Peak Retreats http://www.peakretreats.co.uk Ski Collection http://www.skicollection.co.uk Thanks for the info. It seems a shame to be based in Argentiere (in an apartment offering easy access to lifts) and then drive up the road each day. I think we'll just look for something that is better located, and I suspect that means not the Chamonix valley. Rob |
#8
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Argentiere
On Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:53:49 +0000, in
, LittleRob wrote: Excess wrote: On Jan 28, 4:25 pm, LittleRob wrote: Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Argentiere? Specifically, we are thinking about trying to get a second week skiing later in the season (April): 1. What is the drive like from the UK (I'm assuming we'd use the tunnel) 2. What is the condition of the roads in the resort? 3. What are the blue runs like as we'll be with the kids (8 & 5) I am a big fan of Argentiere myself but would agree that Les Houches would be far better for you with the kids. Thanks for the info. It seems a shame to be based in Argentiere (in an apartment offering easy access to lifts) and then drive up the road each day. I think we'll just look for something that is better located, and I suspect that means not the Chamonix valley. Flaine is probably your best bet - easy access (closer than Cham), great for kids, very central meeting points, ski schools etc. And great skiing for all levels. Yes, including off-piste as good as you'll find in Chamonix. |
#9
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Argentiere
Ace wrote:
On Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:53:49 +0000, in , LittleRob wrote: Excess wrote: On Jan 28, 4:25 pm, LittleRob wrote: Has anyone got any experience of skiing in Argentiere? Specifically, we are thinking about trying to get a second week skiing later in the season (April): 1. What is the drive like from the UK (I'm assuming we'd use the tunnel) 2. What is the condition of the roads in the resort? 3. What are the blue runs like as we'll be with the kids (8 & 5) I am a big fan of Argentiere myself but would agree that Les Houches would be far better for you with the kids. Thanks for the info. It seems a shame to be based in Argentiere (in an apartment offering easy access to lifts) and then drive up the road each day. I think we'll just look for something that is better located, and I suspect that means not the Chamonix valley. Flaine is probably your best bet - easy access (closer than Cham), great for kids, very central meeting points, ski schools etc. And great skiing for all levels. Yes, including off-piste as good as you'll find in Chamonix. Ace Thanks for that. I'd heard of Flaine (heard it was ugly mostly ;-) but until just now had no idea where it was. (I found it on Google Maps). It does indeed look easy to get to. How do you think it compares with the other resorts in the Grand Massif (Samoens, Le Carroz etc.?) and there seem to me multiple Flaines (Flaine Foret and so on) are they very far apart? Is there a "main one"? Thanks Rob |
#10
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Argentiere
On Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:34:06 +0000, in
, LittleRob wrote: Ace wrote: Flaine is probably your best bet - easy access (closer than Cham), great for kids, very central meeting points, ski schools etc. Ace Thanks for that. I'd heard of Flaine (heard it was ugly mostly ;-) Well, the 'village' looks like something out of Stingray, but you get used to it, and the scenery is anything but ugly. but until just now had no idea where it was. (I found it on Google Maps). It does indeed look easy to get to. How do you think it compares with the other resorts in the Grand Massif (Samoens, Le Carroz etc.?) Personally I'd always rather stay there than at the satellite stations, as it's so compact and quick to get skiing of a morning. Also the Flaine bowl itself has the best number and range of slopes, while all of the other ski areas can be reached with just two chair lifts from Flaine. Staying in any of the others means a bit of a trek trek or a shuuttle bus, then a cable car, before getting to the ski area properly. It is sometimes possible to ski all the way down to Morrilon or Les Carroz, but only in exceptional conditions. Samoens lift is a god fifteen minutes walk from the village. and there seem to me multiple Flaines (Flaine Foret and so on) are they very far apart? Is there a "main one"? Foret and Forum are just sat on top of one another, with two ascenseurs linking them in about five minutes (or a footpath, taking about five minutes down or ten up). Both have easy access onto slopes and their own shops, restaurants etc. The third area is 'Front de Neige' which is just a ten minute walk down from Forum but without much in the way of facilities. The Hameau de Flaine is a slightly separate development of skandi-style chalets, with a shuttle bus to the main resort. |
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