Tales from an Argentiere virgin

No, probably not as exciting as you might be thinking from that title. Gordon, General Manager back in Glencoe, has just returned from a week out in the apartment in Argentiere. And being neither a skier nor having visited the Chamonix valley before, we weren't sure quite how he'd get on. However, needn't have worried as, like so many before him, he's now a convert and is chomping at the bit to get back out again.

Despite being advised to get his transfers sorted in advance, there was a bit of a last minute panic to put something in place. In the event, Gordon settled for the Alpy Bus. In theory, this scheduled service is cheaper than a shared transfer, however, judging by the rates charged, you either need to book in advance, or even better, book with Ski-Lifts using our 10% discount scheme. It also seems that it is good advice to know exactly where you are heading (ask for the garage with the petrol pumps before the railway bridge in Argentiere) as the drivers don't know every single address in the valley and have minimal patience by the time they've got to Argentiere.


Lots of fresh snow and so on with the skiing. Gordon found the Evolution 2 office opposite the tourist office closed and so instead tracked them down at the Panda Club, just behind the Grand Montets lifts. In no time at all a 3 hour lesson was booked for the following morning and a 20% discount had been arranged with Pezier Sports in the village. 3 days up at Le Tour and Gordon now thinks he's a world cup skier.


Quite blown away by it all, Gordon reports a fantastic week. Overnight snow just about every night and yet blue skies during the day. Morning walks through the village and even into the forest (whilst avoiding XC skiers). And, of course, the usual must do's including the train up to Montenvers, including the trip down to the glacier and the ride up to the Aiguille Du Midi. I did warn them about the temperature but apparently -16 degrees in jeans and trainers is quite ok! And despite worries about not having a car, Gordon is now a public transport convert (wait till he tries it in the Highlands!) and can't get over how easy to use and how clean the buses and the train were.

With that slightly odd Terminator look about him, probably brought about by an Easyjet flight, no lip balm and lots of snow reflected sun, one of his first comments on his return was "I'll be back..."