Grands Montets

Les Grands Montets is one of the most celebrated ski areas in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley, rising above the village of Argentière near Chamonix. Its summit, the Aiguille des Grands Montets, tops out at 3,295 m, with runs dropping all the way down to Argentière at 1,252 m — one of the biggest vertical descents anywhere in the valley.

How do you get to Grands Montets?

The base station is an easy walk from the centre of Argentière, close to the train station and on the main bus line linking Argentière with Chamonix. The lift's history goes back to the turn of the 1960s: the project began in 1959, the first section up to Croix de Lognan (1,965 m) opened in 1961, and the second section to the summit followed in 1963. In recent seasons, access to the upper sections has at times run partly through the Plan Joran gondola while lift infrastructure is being upgraded, so it's worth checking current lift status before you travel.

What will you see at the top?

The viewing platform on the Aiguille des Grands Montets delivers one of the most striking panoramas in the Alps: the Drus, the Aiguille Verte, the needles of Chamonix, the Mer de Glace, and the seracs of the Argentière glacier laid out almost in full. On a clear day you can also pick out the Aiguille du Midi and the Mont Blanc massif. A short walk from the Lognan mid-station leads to the edge of the Argentière glacier itself, where the view of its seracs is impressive for very little effort — the glacier sits between the Aiguille Verte and the Aiguille d'Argentière.

Who are the Grands Montets slopes for?

This is terrain built for confident, experienced skiers. The area covers more than 1,800 hectares and is the largest of the pisted ski zones in the Chamonix valley, mostly above the treeline with wide open slopes. Grands Montets is famous for its demanding black runs and huge off-piste potential — but crevasses are a real hazard here, so caution is essential once you leave the marked piste.

When is the best time to visit?

A north/northwest-facing slope combined with an altitude of 3,300 m keeps snow quality reliably high through the season. It's typically one of the first lifts in the region to open at the start of winter and one of the last to close in spring, thanks to its elevation and dependable snow cover. Off-piste conditions are usually at their best mid-season, once the snowpack has settled and daylight hours have stretched out.

Frequently asked questions

How high does the top station reach? The Aiguille des Grands Montets stands at 3,295 m, with runs descending to Argentière at 1,252 m.

Is this a good area for beginners? No — Grands Montets is primarily advanced terrain, known for its challenging black runs and extensive off-piste zones.

Can you get there without a car? Yes, the base station is close to Argentière's train station and sits on the Chamonix valley bus route.

What can you see from the top in summer? Outside the ski season, the viewing platform and trails around Lognan let you take in the Argentière glacier, the Aiguille Verte, and the Drus without a long climb.