The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Grands Montets rises from 1,252 metres in Argentière village to 3,295 metres on the Aiguille des Grands Montets, delivering 2,043 metres of vertical drop across 29 kilometres of piste and 16 marked runs. The ski area spans three mountainsides above the Argentière Glacier, with terrain split into 21 per cent beginner, 31 per cent intermediate, 40 per cent advanced and 8 per cent expert. Its north-facing aspect and high-altitude glacial terrain guarantee snow preservation from late November through early May, consistently making it the first Chamonix area to open and the last to close.
The area operates under both Chamonix Le Pass and Mont Blanc Unlimited, though only the latter includes access to the summit installations. Six black runs descend from the upper stations, including the technical Point de Vue and Les Pylônes pistes, whilst intermediate terrain fans out across the Lognan plateau at 1,972 metres. Off-piste options dominate the experience, with Combe de la Pendant and the Magic Forest tree runs attracting freeriders from across Europe.
Argentière village at 1,250 metres retains its mountain authenticity, with an 18th-century baroque church and traditional alpine architecture anchoring a quieter alternative to central Chamonix 8 kilometres down-valley. The resort sits directly beneath the 4,122-metre Aiguille Verte and the sprawling Argentière Glacier, creating one of the most dramatic high-mountain settings in the French Alps. On-mountain facilities include restaurants at Lognan mid-station and boardercross terrain accessed from the Marmottons chairlift.
Grands Montets forms part of the broader Chamonix valley network but operates as a standalone area requiring road or rail connections to neighbouring sectors. The 2018 fire destroyed the original summit cable cars, temporarily limiting access to the highest terrain until December 2026, when architect Renzo Piano's €155 million replacement system reopens the glacial summit. The area suits confident intermediates through expert skiers, with limited appeal for pure beginners despite dedicated learning zones at Plan Joran.
1513m
Vertical
16
Runs
29 km
Piste
0m
Annual snow
The Terrain
16 runs across 29 km of piste
Grands Montets above Argentiere is a steep, serious mountain rather than a big piste network, with 29 kilometres of marked run across 16 runs. It drops 1,513 metres from 2,765 metres to the 1,252 metre base. Sanity grades it at 21% beginner, 31% intermediate, 40% advanced and 8% expert, so advanced skiers outnumber everyone else by some margin. Lifts are few, just two gondolas, two six-packs, a triple and two T-bars, and queues build on powder days. This is a mountain where the off-piste matters more than the groomers.
The Pierre a Ric piste is the long way home to Argentiere, while Point de Vue runs beside the Argentiere glacier and its seracs. The real draw is beyond the markers, where Combe de la Pendant and the tree runs of the Magic Forest draw freeriders from across Europe. Treat all of it as guide-only terrain unless you have avalanche gear and experience. Strong intermediates can enjoy the marked runs, but beginners should look elsewhere in the valley. Come here if you want steep lines, big vertical and a proper alpine setting.
Terrain split
16
runs
16 runs across 4 grades
Beginner3 runs · 21%
Intermediate5 runs · 31%
Advanced6 runs · 40%
Expert1 run · 8%
Time it right
When to visit Grands Montets (Chamonix)
The 2025-2026 season runs from 29 November 2025 through 3 May 2026, delivering a 155-day operating window that consistently outlasts other Chamonix areas by several weeks. Grands Montets typically opens in early December and extends into early May thanks to its exceptional altitude range and predominantly northwest exposure. The resort holds the distinction of being both first to open and last to close in the Chamonix valley each winter.
Snow reliability stems from the 3,300-metre summit elevation and north-facing glacial terrain, which preserves powder quality when lower resorts deteriorate. Average seasonal snowfall totals 461 centimetres, with summit snow depth averaging 2 metres at mid-season and base depths maintaining 1 metre through spring. March delivers peak accumulation, averaging 224 centimetres at the top and 109 centimetres at base elevations, though the shaded slopes receive limited afternoon sun from December through February.
January through March offers optimal powder conditions and full terrain access, whilst December requires patience as early-season coverage builds over rocky glacial sections and open crevasses. Late-season skiing from April into May attracts freeriders seeking corn snow and extended daylight, with temperatures warming but snow quality preserved at altitude. The resort's climate creates extremely cold morning temperatures during mid-winter, maintaining exceptional snow quality whilst other areas thaw.
The area hosts the Chamonix Unlimited Festival at season's end, typically staged as a major freeride closing party in late April. Limited programming exists compared to larger resorts, with the focus remaining on pure mountain terrain rather than events calendars. Artificial snowmaking covers lower slopes including the Pierre à Ric piste, ensuring valley-level access throughout the season regardless of natural accumulation.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
2 May 2027
Closes
155
Days open
Getting there
Getting to Grands Montets (Chamonix), and where to stay
Grands Montets occupies the northern Chamonix valley in the Haute-Savoie département of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, with Argentière village sitting at 1,250 metres beneath the Aiguille Verte and Argentière Glacier. The ski area lies 8 kilometres north of Chamonix town centre, positioned at the upper end of the Arve valley within the Mont Blanc massif. Surrounding peaks include the 4,122-metre Aiguille Verte, Les Droites and Les Drus, creating an amphitheatre of 4,000-metre summits enclosing the glacial terrain.
Argentière functions as the base village, retaining authentic mountain character with traditional chalets, local guides' families and a baroque church dating from 1724. Chamonix lies 8 kilometres south via the valley floor, accessible in 15 minutes by road or 16 minutes on the Mont Blanc Express railway. The hamlet of Le Tour sits 5 kilometres north, whilst Vallorcine marks the valley's northern extremity near the Swiss border.
Road access follows the Route Départementale 1506 through the Chamonix valley, connecting to the A40 Autoroute Blanche at junction 21 near Passy. Drive time from Geneva measures 88 kilometres, typically requiring 75 to 90 minutes via the motorway through Cluses and Sallanches. The route involves two French péage points totalling approximately €6, with an optional Swiss vignette costing CHF 40 if using the faster Geneva airport autoroute routing.
Geneva Airport provides the primary international gateway, positioned 88 kilometres northwest with direct bus services taking 75 minutes and private transfers requiring similar journey times. Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport lies 220 kilometres south, whilst Chambéry Airport offers seasonal ski charter access. The Mont Blanc Express narrow-gauge railway connects Argentière station to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le-Fayet in 55 minutes, with onward TGV connections to Paris and regional links via Martigny into Switzerland.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Grands Montets (Chamonix), powered by Stay22.
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