Looking for some winter ski fun? Crans-Montana is the place for you. With excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities as well as plenty of other activities to enjoy, there’s something for everyone at this popular resort. In this article, we’ll give you tips on when to go, where to ski, and what else to do while you’re there.
Crans-Montana Ski Region Review
Crans-Montana is located in the heart of Switzerland, near the city of Sierre. Originally two separate villages, Crans and Montana, the region extends from the Rhône valley to the Plaine-Morte Glacier.
This upscale ski resort first rose to prominence in 1893, when patients suffering from tuberculosis came to recuperate here. Celebrities soon followed and a funicular railway was constructed in 1911, with the first ski-lift installed in 1928.
Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Bietschhorn are just a few of the famous peaks that one can see from Crans-Montana. Situated in the French speaking canton of Valais, languages such as English and German and are also widely understood.
The large ski area enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year, and some of the purest air in Switzerland. With 140km of pistes, Crans-Montana is a great Winter destination.
When is the Best Time to Visit Crans-Montana?
Crans Montana is one of Switzerland’s best ski resorts and hosts many international events. Some examples in 2022 include the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women, Barnes Winter Golf Week and Ski Food Safari. During the latter event, participating establishments offer specialties and a glass of local wine for just CHF 10.
The skiing and snowboarding season in Crans-Montana is generally from mid December until mid April. The resort is known for its high-altitude snow reliability which ensures plenty of fun even in late Spring.
However, keep in mind that the resort is open all year round, and the ski lifts stay open 365 days a year. In fact, 46% of overnight stays in Crans-Montana take place in Summer.
During the Summer, Crans-Montana is also a popular destination for its biking trails, hiking paths, via ferrata and even swimming in the alpine lakes. If you’re looking for something a little more active, the golf courses at Crans-Montana are definitely worth checking out.
There are several festivals taking place in Crans-Montana in Spring and Summer. These include Caprices Festival focused on electronic music, Am Stram Gram for children and Cirque au Sommet, a spectacular circus arts event.
Where to Ski in Crans-Montana
There are 140 kilometers of marked ski pistes at Crans-Montana ski resort, so there’s definitely something for everyone. With a mixture of beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes, as well as great off-piste skiing opportunities, you’ll find plenty of runs to choose from.
Complete beginners will enjoy Snow Island, a learning area on the golf course. There are quite a few easy blue runs from Cry d’Er which you can access via the gondola lifts from Crans and Montana.
Intermediate and advanced skiers will appreciate the long runs down from Plaine Morte glacier. Off-piste skiing can be found at Les Faverges, for which it’s best to hire a guide.
Additionally, the resort has a 100,000 square metre Snow Park, featuring one of only ten permanent half pipes in the world. Popular with freestyle skiers and snowboarders, it has an expert and beginner section.
Crans-Montana Ski Information
Pricing of the ski pass is dynamic, depending on demand. It’s cheaper and easier to buy in advance online than to pay on the day. You can also get discounted rates for booking on consecutive days.
The ski lifts at Crans-Montana are a great way to get up the mountain quickly and easily. There are 24 different ski lifts, so you can choose the ones that best suit your needs.
There are several places to rent equipment including the SwissRent ski hire shop at Signal gondola station. If you’d like ski lessons, there are quite a few ski schools in Crans-Montana, including Ecole Suisse de Ski et de Snowboard de Crans-Montana (ESS), Giorgio Rocca Ski Academy, Enjoy the Ride, Swiss Mountain Sports and Ski Club Crans-Montana.
Crans-Montana Activities
If you’re not into downhill skiing or snowboarding, there’s still a wide range of activities at Crans-Montana Ski Resort. The resort has an ice skating rink, 3 indoor curling lanes, a 3D cinema, bowling alley, equestrian centre and casino.
There are 40 kilometers of ski touring trails, 25 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails and 22 kilometres of snowshoe trails.
You can also go snow tubing and sledding at Snow Island. This activity park is popular with children and also features airbags, electric snowmobiles and the House of Bibi, with games, craft projects and a library corner.
Crans-Montana boasts two indoor sports centres: Alaïa, which has a gym, skatepark and trampolines and Moubra, featuring a climbing wall, boulder area, ping-pong tables and badminton and tennis courts.
Alternatively, why not just take a walk in the beautiful winter scenery. There are 65 kilometres of Winter hiking trails. Don’t miss the Lantern Path, a magical place to explore with friends or family when darkness falls.
Meandering between Lake Moubra and Lake Etang Long, the route is lit with a myriad of lanterns. There are also special bookable walks in French for children, based on the story of The Shepherd and the star Bella Lui.
There are several interesting museums including the Fondation Opale in Lens, which has an extensive collection of Aboriginal art and the Fondation Suisse des Trains Miniatures. This model train museum has a curator who is passionate about the exhibits.
The town also has a few art galleries worth checking out. Bel-Air Fine Art Crans-Montana and Art Crans-Montana are both worth a visit.
Finally, if you’re looking for some rest and relaxation, many of the hotels have beautiful spas where you can book a treatment or day access. The shopping is also top notch, with lots of designer stores such as Omega, Louis-Vuitton and Moncler centred around the Rue du Prado in Crans village.
Crans-Montana Restaurants
There are many great Crans-Montana restaurants to choose from. Whether you want traditional Swiss fare or international cuisine, there’s something for everyone. The area of Le Valais is the largest wine-producing canton in Switzerland, so it’s worth trying the local wines.
Crans-Montana currently has 8 restaurants awarded Gault & Millau points. Here are some of our favourite places to eat in Crans-Montana which we have personally tried:
Le Bistro des Ours – fine dining in the elegant surroundings of the Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours, whose sister restaurant L’Ours holds a Michelin star. Try the pike “Fish finger” from Morat Lake with absinthe, lemon and juniper, celery risotto and spelt.
Le Partage – for gourmet sharing plates in a stylish setting within the luxurious Aida Hotel & Spa. After dinner, have a nightcap in the Lounge Bar “Le Genévrier” with its open log fire.
La Cabane des Violettes – with a prime location on the ski slopes, this log cabin specializes in rösti, fondues and cheese toasties. Its best to book as it gets quite busy at peak times. The brainchild of Franck Reynaud and Pierre-Olivier Bagnoud, La Cabane also has a large outdoor terrace overlooking the slopes for when the weather is good.
Le Mayen – this restaurant offers traditional Swiss cuisine in a cozy and inviting atmosphere. It’s particularly well known for its selection of four different Raclette cheeses as well as its tomato and cheese fondue.
Brasserie Gerber – delicious wood-fired pizzas, risottos and salads, with a large sunny terrace.
For dining on the slopes, there are over 20 mountain restaurants. In addition to La Cabane des Violettes, we are told that Chetzeron and Merbé are both excellent. One of the most popular spots for après-ski in Crans-Montana is at Cry d’Er Club d’Altitude.
Where to Stay in Crans-Montana
If you’re looking for a place to stay while in Crans-Montana Ski Resort there are a variety of hotels and apartments to choose from, all with different price ranges depending on your needs. For a truly luxurious stay, the Aida Hotel & Spa is a great choice.
This five-star adults only hotel has everything you could possibly want, including a 300 square meter on-site spa and indoor swimming pool. Extensively renovated to highlight the hotel’s original features, it successfully blends tradition with modernity.
As well as the heated pool, there’s an open-plan fireplace next to the hot tub, and a sauna, steam room and relaxation area. We tried the spa’s signature Massage which soothed away any aches after a day on the slopes. We also tried the Slimming Body Wrap treatment, that was highly effective – ideal if you’ve over-indulged in delicious Alpine food!
Aida Hotel & Spa has 18 beautiful rooms and suites. They’re well equipped with the latest mod cons such as a coffee maker and safe, as well as complimentary high-speed WiFi. There are fluffy bathrobes, stylish slippers and Hormeta toiletries (a luxury Swiss brand) in the bathrooms.
The use of wood gives the rooms a warm feel, while the floor to ceiling French windows offer breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps and the valley. The spacious South facing balconies are the perfect place to relax.
Le Partage restaurant offers a gastronomic menu and attentive service by General Manager Patrice Chessel’s team. Chef Franck Reynaud has a Michelin star for one of his other Crans-Montana restaurants and Le Partage could certainly be in the running for one in the future.
The hotel has some exciting future plans including a gym and an outdoor pool with spectacular views of the mountains. The best thing about this Crans-Montana hotel though, is the level of service. Nothing is too much trouble for the team, who will drop you off at the ski lifts and cater to your every need.
Another good place to stay in Crans-Montana is the Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours. Also a Relais & Châteaux establishment, it boasts the Michelin starred L’Ours and the cosy Bistro des Ours as well as The Alpage Spa. Next door, the Hotel de l’Etrier is a four star property that’s popular with families.
How to Get to Crans-Montana
The resort is easily accessible and just 180 kilometers from Geneva International Airport. Milan Malpensa is 220 kilometers, while Zurich is 300 kilometers away. There is also a regional airport at the nearby city of Sion.
If travelling by train, there are direct connections with Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich. The high speed TGV Lyria also links the region with Milan and Paris. When you arrive at Sierre train station, change for the funicular to Crans-Montana. The funicular railway runs twice hourly and is easy to find, just follow the red pavement markings from the station!
Alternatively, you can arrive by car-carrying shuttle train or take the A9 motorway to Sierre and then the Crans-Montana road.
In Conclusion: Crans-Montana Ski Region
Crans-Montana is a top Swiss ski resort offering year round activities and plenty of sun. This is an excellent place to enjoy a winter vacation – whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier. With its convenient location in the Valais region, variety of sunny slopes and activities, and après-ski scene, the resort has something to offer everyone.
So what are you waiting for? Plan your ski holiday today! For further information, check out Crans-Montana’s website: www.crans-montana.ch.
Read next:
With thanks to Crans-Montana Tourism
