Praz de Lys introduction
General Information
Praz de Lys is a typical alpine village that is located in the French Alps close to Mont Blanc and the resort is at an elevation of 1,450 meters or about 4,700 feet and the top point is at an elevation of 2,000 meters or almost 6,600 feet. Mont Blanc is the tallest mountain in the Alps. There are nearby caves to explore. The resort also has snow cannons in case more snow is needed in some areas. Geneva is the closest airport. There are 24 lifts and a snow park. In 2008, Praz de Lys was part of the Telemark tour. Praz de Lys is linked to the ski resort Sommand providing extended skiing options.
Winter Activities
Praz De Lys Sommand is a medium sized which provides for skiing in the backdrops of Mont-Blanc. $1 well prepared tracks and 60 km of pistes provide good opportunities for skiers of with all grades of experience. With 24 accessible lifts and 60 km of cross country trails available, Praz De Lys is a good choice. Back country skiing and snowshoe-hiking are also quite popular. There is snowmobiling at night in winters. La Grand Odyssee, which is the most important dog sled race in Europe, runs through Praz de Lys. There are also cross country ski races. At night, there will often be night skiing with torches for people at the bottom of the slopes to watch. Mardi Gras is celebrated in February.
Summer Activities
There are many miles of trails for walking, hiking, and mountain biking. During the summer, there are a number of concerts and also a Folk Festival. Stone carvers of the area demonstrate stone carving. There is a photograph exhibition organized during the summer. The chairlift is open to paragliders and pedestrians for views of Mont Blanc. There are many races and competitions that pass through Praz de Lys every year, for example one of the legs of the roadrace Mont Blanc Morzine. There is river-rafting and Praz de Lys is part of the Via Ferrata which is a route already equipped with fixed cables, ladders, and bridges so the rock climber does not have to get their own equipment.
Other Information
There is an eco-museum which is full of exhibits of village life. Craftsmen in the area have shops and exhibitions for tourists. There is a flea market held in August and a horse-drawn carriage race. There are a number of art festivals, wine festivals, and festivals celebrating the rich traditions during the summer. There are many hotels and restaurants but Prax de Lys tends to be quieter than most resorts at night.