Argentière and La Vallée Blanche
Argentière:
Argentière is a village located 8 km north of Chamonix at an altitude of around 1,250 meters. It’s known for its ski area, Les Grands Montets, which is loved by advanced and expert skiers due to its challenging pistes and off-piste opportunities.
Skiing:
Les Grands Montets ski area is one of the most challenging in the Chamonix Valley, offering plenty of steep, high-altitude skiing. The area extends up to an altitude of 3,295 meters and provides extensive off-piste options when conditions permit. It’s less suited to beginners, although there are a few lower-level slopes in the Lognan area.
Ice Climbing:
Argentière itself isn’t known as a hub for ice climbing, but nearby Chamonix has numerous routes. In particular, the Vallée Blanche has some ice climbing spots that can be accessed with a mountain guide. Always ensure you are well-equipped and knowledgeable about the risks.
Mountain Biking:
The Chamonix Valley, including Argentière, is crisscrossed with mountain biking trails. The Petit Balcon Nord is a notable trail that runs through Argentière. Please check with local guides or the tourist office for detailed trail maps and advice.
Hiking:
There are many hiking options around Argentière. The Tour du Mont Blanc trail and the Petit Balcon Nord are popular choices. In the summer, you can take the lifts up to Les Grands Montets and hike in the high mountains.
La Vallée Blanche:
La Vallée Blanche is a famous off-piste ski route in the Mont Blanc massif, starting from the Aiguille du Midi and ending either at Montenvers, or, if conditions permit, Chamonix itself.
Skiing:
The classic Vallée Blanche route is around 20 km long with a vertical descent of about 2,700 meters. Despite not being technically demanding, it requires knowledge of glacier skiing and crevasse rescue. Therefore, it’s recommended to hire a mountain guide. There are also more challenging variants of the Vallée Blanche route for experienced off-piste skiers.
Ice Climbing:
La Vallée Blanche is primarily known for skiing, but in Chamonix, there are various places to do ice climbing. The Mer de Glace accessible from the Montenvers train, or the Argentière Glacier, could provide opportunities. As with all climbing activities, make sure you are with a guide or have the necessary skills and equipment.
Mountain Biking:
The Aiguille du Midi and La Vallée Blanche are not suitable for mountain biking due to the steep and glaciated terrain. However, there are plenty of mountain biking routes in the Chamonix Valley.
Hiking:
While La Vallée Blanche is typically traversed on skis, there are mountaineering routes in this area, including the classic Haute Route to Zermatt. These require glacier travel skills and should be attempted with a guide. For hiking, the Chamonix Valley has numerous trails.
For all activities, it’s crucial to be aware of the high-alpine environment’s inherent risks, including altitude sickness, rapid weather changes, and crevasses on glaciers. Always check the local weather and avalanche forecasts, and let someone know your plans. Equipment rental and mountain guides can be found in Chamonix and Argentière.
