 Poster: A snowHead
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Travelling with my son to Chamonix on 1st Feb for a week. We're probably going for an airbnb but where's the best place to stay? Argentiere close to the Grand Mottet lift or somewhere near the centre of town? We're fairly good skiers (well my son's very good) and are planning to do quite a bit of off piste and get a guide one day for the Vallee Blanche.
Also any recommendations on local guides?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Difficult one, lots of off piste option being based in either spot. Probably more easy lift accessed off piste from the Argentiere end with L'Avancher bowl and options from the top cable car, however during my season in Cham I was based in Chamonix proper which obviously has the Aguille du Midi and Brevent areas within walking distance, both offering great off piste. There were experts doing 10th seasons in a row there too.
Not critical to be in either, you can get a bus along either way in time to get the first lifts.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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There are pluses and minuses for both. If you’re focused on the skiing rather than nightlife and haven’t got a car then go for accommodation in argentiere in walking distance from the gm lifts. You’ll also have easy access to la tour which has some great off piste too.
If you’re mobile and want the entertainment of a proper town in the evening then maybe go for Chamonix town.
Any other options could be the worst of both worlds.
Be aware it can be f cold in argentiere at night.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I’d stay in Chamonix as you’ll have a wider choice of things to do in the evenings and then depending on the conditions, you can go to any of the ski areas. I presume you’ll be getting a guide and if so, they won’t necessarily only ski in GM. As already mentioned, Le Tour has some great off piste. Will you have a car, I’ve always found it really useful with a car in Cham.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Would love to get a guide for the whole week but it's prohibitively expensive so we'll settle for one or two days. Which is the best area in Chamonix for stuff you can do without a guide (skiing down under chairlifts, off the edge of pistes etc)?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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First post, so apologies if I'm posting this in an inappropriate place! 
I'm also heading to Cham - Argentiere, to be specific - for the first time as part of a group of 4 decent skiers. We sound a fairly similar standard to OP, love going off piste and really got an appetite for it last year, but we aren't hugely experienced and only one of us has the appropriate gear (i.e transceivers) for the hardcore stuff I've read about. We're contemplating getting a guide for the day, but, much like OP, are finding it quite pricey. Is c.£300 for the day the going rate, or are we looking in the wrong places?
Whilst I'm here, does anybody have any advice on which lift pass to get? Is it worthwhile getting the Mont Blanc Unlimited even if we might not get a guide, or will the Chamonix pass suffice?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@under a new name, the €300 figure, do you know how many people would the guide be able to lead usually?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@MountainIdiot, afaik 4. But it’s been a while.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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cool, was expecting around €100pp (based on nothing in particular) so thats good, thanks
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Where have you found a chamonix guide for 300 euros? Going rate seems more like 360
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You know it makes sense.
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@bentisdall that sounds about right
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| cp1000 wrote: |
| @bentisdall 360 sounds about right |
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