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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 |
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#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
In message
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 Perhaps the most serious road conditions I encountered in Argentiere was about two years ago in the second week of April. We woke up on the morning of our last day to encounter about 0.5 metre of fresh snow on the roads. The drive out was on roads that had not been cleared of snow all the way down past Chamonix. I had an interesting four wheel slide myself on one of the bends, but managed to correct it before going over the edge. Indeed the snow level was as low as Geneva. Along the way we encountered many accidents, particularly on the autoroute. I think many local drivers had already changed over from winter to summer tyres. Given that from a base in Argentiere you can easily cross over the Col de Monte pass into Le Buet, Vallorcine and on into Switzerland for some alternative skiing, and that the snow conditions can be encountered regularly throughout the winter season I think carrying chains is a good idea. Mike -- o/ \\ // |\ ,_ o Mike Clark \__,\\ // __o | \ / /\, "A mountain climbing, cycling, skiing, " || _`\,_ |__\ \ | immunology lecturer, antibody engineer and ` || (_)/ (_) | \corn computer user" |
#9
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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. |
#10
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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 |
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