The ski resort of Passy Plaine-Joux is located in Haute-Savoie. It is known for its position facing Mont Blanc, its southern exposure, but also for its family character. Plaine-Joux is located between 1,358 and 1,740 metres above sea level.
Passy Plaine-Joux
The ski resort of Plaine-Joux is located in the commune of Passy. The tourist activity developed following the construction of sanatoriums, such as that of Guébriant, now used as a holiday village. The ski resort itself was created in 1965. A ski lift, rented by the ski club, was installed. With the influx of skiers, Plaine-Joux developed over the years. In 1969, the Barmus ski lift was built, followed by the Beudex, for beginners. Today, the ski area welcomes locals as well as tourists who come to discover the mountain.
The Sixt-Passy Nature Reserve
The Sixt-Passy Nature Reserve is the largest in Haute-Savoie. It covers 9,445 hectares. It is home to archaeological remains and offers a wide variety of natural environments. If you are lucky and open your eyes, you may be lucky enough to spot some of the mountain’s most emblematic species, such as the bearded vulture, ibex and chamois. In Plaine-Joux, you will have the opportunity to visit the reserve house. A great opportunity to learn more about the local flora and fauna.
Extra info: don’t forget that Nature Reserves are subject to strict rules.
The Plaine-Joux ski area
The Plaine Joux ski area is particularly suitable for families. Facing south, it is guaranteed sunshine throughout the winter season. The snow is therefore rarely frozen, which makes it easier for beginners tolearn. Advanced skiers will also find something to suit them, especially at the top of the area.
Extra info: we recommend skiing between 11am and 2pm. This way you can avoid the queue at the lifts and enjoy the ski area at your leisure.
Passy Mont-Blanc – Office de tourisme
Accommodation in Passy Plaine-Joux
In Passy you will find flats or mobile homes to rent for your holidays. For hotels, you may have to look at the surrounding communes, such as Sallanches.
We propose to you to discover various accommodations, all located near the resort of Plaine Joux.
Chalet Arve Passy
The chalet Arve Passy has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, for a surface of 130 m². A garden is available to guests and private parking is free. On the plus side, you will be close to the resort of Plaine-Joux, but also to other tourist attractions in the valley.
Les Greniers du Mont-Blanc
Les Greniers du Mont-Blanc offers several chalets for rent. They are all independent and offer a beautiful view of the Fiz, Aravis and other surrounding mountains. An activity centre is just a 5-minute drive away and you can easily reach Plaine-Joux.
L’Edelweiss Mont-Blanc
L’Edelweiss Mont-Blanc consists of several accommodations. Breakfast is served directly on site. The shared lounge and the terrace will allow you to relax after a day outdoors.
Chalet Les Fiz
The chalet Les Fiz has a surface of 146 m². It is located in the Plateau d’Assy, a few minutes drive from the Plaine-Joux ski slopes. You can enjoy the view of Mont Blanc from the garden.
Winter sports
Activities other than downhill skiing can be enjoyed in Plaine Joux. Cross-country skiing, for example, with several trails set up for it. You can also try out dog sledding.
For the youngest, there is a toboggan run near the paraglider launch.
The athletes of the resort
Plaine-Joux and more generally the commune of Passy, have several high level athletes. We have chosen to present two sportswomen, who evolve in different disciplines.
Laly Chaucheprat
Laly Chaucheprat has been a member of the Passy-Varan ski club since she was 3 years old. After several years devoted to alpine skiing, she decided to turn to telemark skiing. The skier joined the Mont Blanc Committee in 2017, then the French Team in 2018. In 2022, Laly Chaucheprat won her first World Cup race in Saint-Gervais.
Maëlle Grossetête
Maëlle Grossetête is a cyclist from Passy. Specialised in cyclo-cross, she was selected for the French team for the first time in 2020, on the occasion of the European road cycling championships. Passerande is a member of the FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope team.
The must-see events in Plaine-Joux
Although it is not very big, several events are organised in the resort of Passy Plaine-Joux. We suggest you discover the two most emblematic ones, which take place in summer for one, in winter for the other.
Tour des Fiz Trail
The Tour des Fiz trail is a competition which takes place every year at the beginning of July in Plaine-Joux. Many runners sign up for the event. In all, 6 events are proposed, including one for children.
The Tour des 8 refuges is the original race of this trail. It follows the hiking circuit of the Grand Tour des Fiz and passes through Platé and Anterne. In one day, the runners cover 61.5 km and 4,400 metres of positive altitude difference.
Activities are also proposed throughout the weekend.
The Elf Festival
The “Fête des Lutins” is a not-to-be-missed event in the Plaine Joux ski resort. It takes place on a Sunday during the winter season, on the snow front. Activities are offered throughout the day and end at 5pm.
The “Fête des Lutins” is an event to be experienced with the whole family. You can take the opportunity to do some skiing or take a walk to the Lac Vert. For lunch, you can easily find a place on the terrace in one of the restaurants.
Ski passes
Several ski passes are available online or at the Plaine-Joux ski lifts. If you are one of those who do not ski all day, you can opt for a 2 or 4 hour pass. Ski tourers also have the option of a one or five lift pass. There are also special offers on season passes, depending on when you take them.
Snowshoeing routes
If you enjoy snowshoeing, Plaine-Joux is the ideal resort for you. Among the different itineraries to do, we recommend two:
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The Lac Vert. This walk is accessible to all levels. You can even choose to do it at the end of the day, after skiing. Just be careful not to walk on the lake, even if it is frozen.
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The Ayères tour. This loop can also be done with the family, although it requires a little more endurance. From Plaine-Joux, take the direction of Châtelet. You can take advantage of this to eat at the refuge, although we recommend that you picnic at Les Ayères, facing Mont Blanc. This walk will take you most of the day.
Hikes not to be missed
For those who are used to hiking, there are certain routes that are not to be missed. We suggest you discover three of them, which can be done over several days if you wish to sleep in a refuge.
Lake Anterne
The Lac d’Anterne is a must-see hike in Passy Plaine-Joux. From the resort car park, you have two options. You can either go via the Lac Vert or directly up the slopes. The paths meet at Les Ayères. Before reaching the lake, you will have to go over the col d’Anterne and come down on the other side. You can also extend the walk to the Alfred Wills refuge.
Extra info: remember to start early in the morning, as a large part of the hike is in the sun.Duration: 6.5 hours round tripAscent: 1,190 metresDistance: 17.4 km
Platé Desert
If you ask locals what hike to do in Passy, they will mostly say Platé. It must be said that this lapiaz desert is worth the diversions. The departure is from the Praz Coutant car park. Remember to keep your eyes open during the walk, you might see ibexes and why not the bearded vulture.
Extra info: for the more experienced hikers, extend the hike by passing through the Portette pass and descending through the Dérochoir.Duration: 3 hours round tripDifference in altitude: 860 metresDistance: 8 km
Lake Pormenaz
The Pormenaz lake is the third hike not to be missed on Plaine Joux. There are several options available to you. Go via the ski slopes, via Lac Vert or via La Chorde. This last route is the one you should choose if you have a dog.
Extra info: you can combine the Anterne and Pormenaz lakes on the same hike.Duration: 5 hours round tripAscent: 920 metresDistance: 12.1 km
Access and public transport
To get to the Plaine-Joux resort, nothing could be easier. You can take the train to Le Fayet station. There are connections to the foot of the slopes, especially if you are staying in the valley. Another option is to drive. There are free car parks in Plaine-Joux. We just recommend that you don’t arrive too late, especially during school holidays and weekends.
Video presentation of Passy Plaine-Joux
Resorts near Plaine-Joux
Plaine-Joux is not the only resort in the upper Arve valley. For a day, you can also go to the slopes of Saint-Gervais, Combloux, Megève or Chamonix. This is a good opportunity to discover new villages in Haute-Savoie.
