Forecast today: Broken clouds
The local slopes of the Grands Montets are ideal for advanced and expert skiers, but there are also some more gentle slopes for beginners and intermediates. The other resort sectors – Brévent, Flégère, Les Houches and the Domaine de Balme – are similar in that much of the terrain is difficult, particularly up high, but there are still some easier pistes for those with less experience behind them.
Compared to its bustling neighbour, Argentière is definitely quieter. That being said, it is not devoid of life and there is a decent collection of small shops and restaurants along the main street beyond the station. Chamonix is only a short hop away so head there if you’re looking for nightlife, a wider choice of restaurants and some really good shopping.
As a base in the valley this is a good option and things are much quieter than in the main town of Chamonix. Access to beginner skiing zones can be difficult as the local one up the Grands Montets is not ideal for early learners. The valley has some good activities away from skiing, including a popular alpine coaster and dog-sledding.
Although the terrace at Lognan is a good spot for a post ski beer, head to Chamonix for your après fix. Numerous bars line the streets of central Chamonix, particularly on the Avenue Michel Croz and the Rue du Dr Paccard and these do get lively after the lifts close. Nightlife often continues into the small hours but be prepared to get a taxi back to Argentière.
The Chamonix Valley is incredibly accessible from Geneva airport, with transfers generally taking under an hour and a half, traffic dependent. Public buses also run the same route, although travel times extend to two and a half hours and the spread out nature of the valley lends itself to having a car. The drive from the UK is also one of the shortest around, expect to be on the road from Calais for about 10 hours.
The Chamonix Mont Blanc ski area employs a wide variety of opening and closing dates for its various ski areas:
Updated for 2024/25
For full details see the resort’s website and note that these dates are subject to change. The Ski Club’s expert info &advice team are also on hand to help – call 020 8410 2009
The Chamonix Le Pass covers the Grands Montets (except the cable car to the top), the Domaine du Balme and Brèvent-Flégère. For those looking to visit Courmayeur in Italy, Les Houches, the Aiguille du Midi, St Gervais and Megève, the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass is the pass to choose – this also throws in a day at Crans Montana, too. Note that these prices may change, so check with the resort’s website for the latest or give the Ski Club’s expert info & advice team a call on 020 8410 2009.
*Day passes for both high season (16 December to 29 March) and low season (all other dates) have not been confirmed by the resort but are expected to be in the band displayed.
Category | Day Ticket | 3 Days | 6 Days |
Chamonix Le Pass |
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Adult (15-64) | c. €50 – 70* | €183 | €334 |
Child (5-14) | c. €45 – 60* | €155.60 | €283.90 |
Senior (65-79) | c. €45 – 60* | €155.60 | €283.90 |
Veteran (80+) | c. €45 – 60* | €91.50 | €167 |
Mont Blanc Unlimited |
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Adult (15-64) | €64 – €90 | €97.30 – €250 | €176.90 – €487 |
Child (5-14) | €54.40 – €76.50 | €82.70 – €212.50 | €150.40 – €367.20 |
Senior (65-79) | €54.40 – €76.50 | €82.70 – €212.50 | €150.40 – €367.20 |
The Ski Club uses third party independent assessments and accreditation of ski resorts to determine a resort “environmentally sustainable – more information can be found here.
As part of the French Flocon Vert (tr. Green Snowflake) scheme, Argentiere – as part of the wider Chamonix Valley resort area – has been awarded two snowflakes out of a possible three, representing significant investment in resources to reduce its environmental impact. Flocon Vert is an independent scheme operated by Mountain Riders, which accredits resorts in France who have met twenty criteria based on environmental, social and economic sustainability; only a quarter of Flocon Vert recipients have been awarded two snowflakes – no area has been awarded three.
Wed 18 Dec | Thu 19 Dec | Fri 20 Dec | Sat 21 Dec | Sun 22 Dec | Mon 23 Dec | Tue 24 Dec | Wed 25 Dec | Thu 26 Dec | Fri 27 Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Mainly fair |
Generally clear |
Mainly fair | Light snow |
Snow |
Snow | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Generally clear |
Mainly fair |
Light snow | Snow |
Snow |
Snow | Snow shower |
Snow shower |
Light snow shwr | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Generally clear | Broken clouds |
Partly cloudy |
Partly cloudy | Mainly fair |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Wind | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 1.7 cm | 5.4 cm | 5.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 3.1 cm | 13.2 cm | 14.8 cm | 14.2 cm | 4.9 cm | 6.7 cm | 4.9 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.3 cm | 0.5 cm | 0.2 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | -0.9°c | -2.3°c | -3.8°c | -4°c | -4.6°c | -7°c | -14.2°c | -14.2°c | -13.7°c | -10.1°c | -10.1°c | -7.2°c | -5°c | -7.3°c | -10.5°c | -13.6°c | -14.6°c | -14.6°c | -10.2°c | -7.3°c | -5.5°c | -2.6°c | -2.6°c | -4°c | -2.4°c | -2.4°c | -4.2°c | -2.8°c | -2.8°c | -5.6°c |
Min temp | -4.8°c | -6.5°c | -6.5°c | -4.6°c | -7°c | -13.6°c | -16°c | -15°c | -14.5°c | -13.2°c | -11.8°c | -11°c | -7.3°c | -10.5°c | -13.3°c | -14.7°c | -15.3°c | -15.2°c | -12.9°c | -10.3°c | -7.3°c | -4.3°c | -4.2°c | -5.1°c | -4.4°c | -4.6°c | -5.1°c | -5.2°c | -6°c | -6.7°c |
Feels like temp | -1.6°c | -2.9°c | -6.5°c | -8.5°c | -7.9°c | -12.3°c | -26.4°c | -23.9°c | -23.1°c | -20.8°c | -16.2°c | -18°c | -10.5°c | -13.8°c | -18.3°c | -22.7°c | -23.4°c | -24.1°c | -22.1°c | -18°c | -14.5°c | -9.7°c | -6.9°c | -8.2°c | -3.9°c | -2.4°c | -4.6°c | -5°c | -2.8°c | -6°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Mainly fair |
Generally clear |
Mainly fair |
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | -0.9°c | -2.3°c | -3.8°c |
Min temp | -4.8°c | -6.5°c | -6.5°c |
Feels like temp | -1.6°c | -2.9°c | -6.5°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Light snow |
Snow |
Snow |
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 1.7 cm | 5.4 cm | 5.3 cm |
Max temp | -4°c | -4.6°c | -7°c |
Min temp | -4.6°c | -7°c | -13.6°c |
Feels like temp | -8.5°c | -7.9°c | -12.3°c |
Wed 18 Dec | Thu 19 Dec | Fri 20 Dec | Sat 21 Dec | Sun 22 Dec | Mon 23 Dec | Tue 24 Dec | Wed 25 Dec | Thu 26 Dec | Fri 27 Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | Broken clouds |
Partly cloudy |
Generally clear | Rain |
Heavy rain |
Snow | Occasional snow |
Mainly fair |
Mainly fair | Snow grains |
Broken clouds |
Snow | Rain |
Snow |
Snow | Light snow |
Snow |
Snow shower | Generally clear |
Partly cloudy |
Snow grains | Partly cloudy |
Mainly fair |
Generally clear | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies | Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Clear skies |
Wind | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.5 cm | 11 cm | 0.7 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.8 cm | 0.3 cm | 3.4 cm | 0.1 cm | 9.3 cm | 16.2 cm | 7.3 cm | 9.6 cm | 8 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 8.4°c | 8.6°c | 7.1°c | 6°c | 4.3°c | 1.5°c | -4°c | -3.9°c | -7.2°c | 0°c | 0.3°c | 1.1°c | 2.9°c | 1.8°c | -0.3°c | -3.5°c | -3.2°c | -4.1°c | -0.5°c | 0.1°c | 1°c | 5°c | 5.2°c | 2.9°c | 6.3°c | 6.3°c | 3.1°c | 6°c | 6°c | 2°c |
Min temp | 4.1°c | 7°c | 4.9°c | 3.8°c | 1.5°c | -2.9°c | -5.8°c | -7.2°c | -8.1°c | -5.6°c | -0.9°c | -0.8°c | 1.8°c | -0.3°c | -3°c | -4.8°c | -4.2°c | -4.3°c | -4.4°c | -0.7°c | -0.6°c | 1.6°c | 2.9°c | 1.5°c | 1.2°c | 3.1°c | 2°c | 0.8°c | 2°c | 0.5°c |
Feels like temp | 3.7°c | 7.4°c | 6.7°c | 5.7°c | 3.7°c | 1.4°c | -4.8°c | -4°c | -7.2°c | -5.6°c | 0°c | -0.8°c | 2.8°c | -0.9°c | -3.5°c | -3.9°c | -3.8°c | -4.1°c | -4.4°c | -0.5°c | -0.6°c | 1.5°c | 4.7°c | 2.7°c | 1.1°c | 5.8°c | 2.8°c | 0.7°c | 5.5°c | 1.8°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |||
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 8.4°c | 8.6°c | 7.1°c |
Min temp | 4.1°c | 7°c | 4.9°c |
Feels like temp | 3.7°c | 7.4°c | 6.7°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |||
Wind | |||
Snow expected | 0 cm | 0.5 cm | 11 cm |
Max temp | 6°c | 4.3°c | 1.5°c |
Min temp | 3.8°c | 1.5°c | -2.9°c |
Feels like temp | 5.7°c | 3.7°c | 1.4°c |
Snowfall | Last Snowfall | 14/12/2024 |
---|---|---|
Next 3 days | 17.2 cm | |
Depths | Upper piste depth | 100 cm |
Lower piste depth | 10 cm | |
Snow conditions | Snow quality | Hard packed |
Lifts | Lifts open | 4 out of 7 |
Resort opening date | Sat 07 Dec 2024 | |
Resort closing date | Sun 27 Apr 2025 |
Updated 17/12
Another really mixed week of weather is in store for the French Alps. Wednesday starts fine, dry and bright, with high pressure bringing mild temperatures high – positive temperatures at 2,000m can easily be expected.
As another area of strong low pressure moves over the UK and Ireland before heading into Northern Europe and Scandinavia, this will bring good snowfall even as far south as the French Alps. Conditions will change quickly on Thursday, with over a foot of snowfall expected down over the course of the day. This will start on higher slopes only as the freezing line remains high, brushing 2,500m at midday. However, this will fall as the day goes on, bringing snow all the way to lower elevations as the evening wears on. Friday will then start and stay cold, with -10°C expected around 2,000m – a mix of sun and cloud will be in store for Friday as the last few floccons move in over the course of the morning.
High pressure will then return on the weekend, with fine, dry and bright conditions dominating as temperatures remain cold. Even more unsettled weather will then move in again as the weekend concludes, bringing a few flurries of snow and possibly setting up for new snow for Christmas week – expect temperatures to rise again as the freezing line climbs back over 2,000m in this period.
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