In reply to Pete A:
We stayed in L'Argentiere La Bessée - gite called "Le Moulin Papillion". You can hire an appartement upstairs that works out quite cheap if there are a few of you - basic but good. There is another place in the same street (Rue Fournel) that has 2 appartements and is owned by a guide - could be useful for getting beta on routes and conditions. E-mail me if you need numbers.
The area is fantastic - you'll have a brilliant time.
Cheers, Dean.