Praz de Lys-Sommand

Praz de Lys - Sommand is a French ski resort in Haute-Savoie, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, just a few kilometers north of Taninges and Mieussy. Sitting in the Chablais massif, part of the Western Alps, the resort spans an elevation of 1400 to 2000 meters and actually consists of two once-separate stations — Praz de Lys and Sommand — now linked by ski trails and chairlifts running over the mountains that divide them.

Where exactly is it located?

The resort lies in the Haute-Savoie department, within the Préalpes de Savoie, itself part of the wider Chablais massif. It's surrounded by peaks such as Roc d'Enfer, Pointe de Chalune, and Pointe de Chavasse, which give the area its distinctly rocky, alpine profile. To the south, the closest towns are Taninges and Mieussy, only a few kilometers away — most access roads to the resort start from one of these two.

How do you get there?

The easiest approach is via Taninges or Mieussy, from where mountain roads climb toward the higher parts of the massif. Travelers coming from larger cities typically reach the Arve valley first, then head up into the mountains toward either Praz de Lys or Sommand, depending on which side of the resort they plan to use as a base. It's worth noting these are two distinct locations linked by ski runs rather than a single village, so it helps to know in advance which one you're headed to.

What is there to see and do?

Praz de Lys - Sommand is first and foremost a skiing destination, opened in the late 1970s when its first lifts came into service. Today the resort offers downhill runs spread across both linked stations, and the well-known resort of Les Gets is only about 15 minutes away by car, giving skiers the option to extend their plans into a much larger connected ski area. The proximity of peaks like Roc d'Enfer and Pointe de Chalune also makes the region appealing for mountain hiking outside the winter season, even though the resort's infrastructure remains firmly geared toward skiing.

When is the best time to visit?

Winter is the natural season to visit — sitting between 1400 and 2000 meters gives the resort relatively dependable snow conditions for an area this close to the Swiss border and Lake Geneva. Outside the ski season the surrounding mountains are suitable for hiking, though visitors should keep in mind that local tourist infrastructure is built primarily around winter sports, so summer trips require a bit more independent planning.

Frequently asked questions

Are Praz de Lys and Sommand the same place? No — they're two separate stations connected by ski trails and chairlifts running over the mountains between them. They function as a single ski area but are physically located in different parts of the massif.

Which towns are closest to the resort? Taninges and Mieussy, a few kilometers to the south — these are the main reference points when planning how to get there.

When did this ski resort open? It opened around 1978.

Is there another major ski resort nearby? Yes, Les Gets is about a 15-minute drive from Praz de Lys, making it easy to combine visits to both areas.