Passy Plaine Joux

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Passy, a vast commune in Haute-Savoie, offers a mountain experience with many faces, dominated by the breathtaking view over the Mont-Blanc range. It stands out for two major sites: Plaine-Joux, a family resort perched at 1,350m, ideal for ski initiation and nature activities facing a grandiose panorama; and the Plateau d’Assy, a place steeped in history, known for its modernist architectural heritage stemming from its past as a climatic resort and for its jewel of sacred art, the Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Grâce church. Summer and winter, Passy charms with the beauty of its natural sites, such as the Lac Vert or the Passy Nature Reserve, and with this unique combination of outdoor leisure, culture and contemplation.

📌 Northern French Alps – Haute-Savoie

Passy Plaine Joux

📏 Altitude: 1340 m

🎿 Alpine skiing: 12 km

⛷️ Cross-country skiing: 5 km

🌟 Resort style: Snow stadium

💰 From 25 €/day (2025-2026)

3 green

3 blue

2 red

Overview of Passy Plaine Joux

The architecture of Passy is contrasting. The Plateau d’Assy (around 1,000 m altitude) is marked by the modernist architecture of the former sanatoriums, some of which are listed as 20th-century heritage. The church of Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Grace, designed by Maurice Novarina and decorated by great masters of modern art (Matisse, Braque, Leger, Rouault), is a must-see site. Plaine-Joux, a little higher up, is a high-altitude plateau with discreet architecture — mainly a few restaurants and a welcome lodge — giving full prominence to the panorama of Mont Blanc and the Fiz range. The village of Passy in the valley and the entire south-facing slope retain a more traditional character, dotted with more or less recent flower-covered chalets. The whole offers a journey through history, art and nature.

Our review — Passy Plaine Joux

★★★☆☆ 3.0/5

Ski area — key figures — Passy Plaine Joux

🌟 Snow stadium (Haute-Savoie)
📏 1340 m Village altitude (1730 m Top altitude)
👤 11.350 inhabitants
🏨 5.089 tourist beds
🎿 8 runs

37.5%

25%

🚠 7 ski lifts

Power moment^*: 723 km.sk/h (Small resort)

Average lift age: 23 years

Get directions to Passy Plaine Joux

When to visit

Passy Plaine Joux in summer

In summer, Passy is a top destination for walking and discovery. From Plaine-Joux, numerous trails lead to the Lac Vert — a gem with emerald-coloured waters — or into the Passy Nature Reserve towards the Tour des Fiz or the Desert de Plate, an impressive limestone pavement facing Mont Blanc. The Plaine-Joux site is also renowned for paragliding. At the Plateau d’Assy, a visit to the church of Notre-Dame-de-Toute-Grace is a powerful cultural moment, complemented by a visit to the Jardin des Cimes. The Passy lake leisure base in the valley offers swimming and water activities. Nearby, Megeve, Cordon, Chamonix and Saint-Gervais provide numerous excursions for all tastes.

🎯 Things to do in summer:

✅ Road cycling • ✅ Enduro MTB • ✅ Hiking • ✅ Rock climbing • ✅ Via Ferrata • ✅ Rafting • ✅ Tree climbing • ✅ Canyoning

Passy Plaine Joux in winter

When snow is present, Plaine-Joux transforms into a convivial, family-friendly ski resort — perfect for learning to ski with an unbeatable view of Mont Blanc. Its ski area is ideal for children and beginners. It is also an excellent starting point for snowshoe walks, with marked routes offering grandiose panoramas, notably around the Lac Vert (accessible on snowshoes). Toboggan pistes — including one for snow tubing — guarantee fun moments. The Plateau d’Assy under snow offers a peaceful atmosphere for cultural walks around its architectural heritage.

🎯 Things to do in winter:

✅ Alpine skiing • ✅ Cross-country skiing • ✅ Ski touring • ✅ Snowshoeing • ✅ Winter walks

Skiing

Below are the 2 ski areas accessible from Passy Plaine Joux: Passy Plaine Joux (alpin), Plaine-Joux (nordique).

Ski area — Passy Plaine Joux

⛰️ Altitudes: 1340 m – 1730 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 12 km
💰 Day pass: 25 €

The Passy Plaine-Joux ski area is a human-scale site, particularly suited to families and beginner skiers. Ranging from 1,340 to 1,740 metres altitude, it offers around 12 km of runs with an exceptional panorama over the Mont Blanc range. The ski area has around twelve runs, mainly green (5) and blue (4), complemented by a few red runs (2) and one black, served by 7 ski lifts (mainly drag lifts and a carpet lift for the youngest). The atmosphere is relaxed and safe — ideal for learning to ski gently while enjoying a magnificent setting and good sunshine.

Our full guide to Passy Plaine Joux

Cross-country ski area — Plaine-Joux

⛰️ Altitudes: 1270 m – 1600 m
🌲 Cross-country skiing: 5 km

Passy Plaine-Joux offers a Nordic skiing experience with two loops totalling a few kilometres on the plateau, allowing contemplative skiing with a view of Mont Blanc. These trails are generally laid out for both classic and skating technique, suited to initiation or a family outing. For a wider and more varied Nordic offering, skiers can head to other sites in the Arve valley or neighbouring resorts such as Megeve, Les Contamines-Montjoie or the Agy plateau, which have larger and more well-regarded Nordic ski areas. Snowshoeing is however very well developed at Plaine-Joux, with numerous marked routes.

Our full guide to Plaine-Joux

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