Crans-Montana (Switzerland)

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Crans-Montana, is located in the canton of Valais in SW Switzerland. It is 9 mls NW of Sierre, 19 mls NE of Sion, 33 mls W of Brig. 80 mls E of Geneva airport; 150 mls SW of Zurich airport. It is set on a large S-facing plateau overlooking the Rhone Valley, surrounded by wooded slopes and was originally 3 towns, Crans, Montana and Aminona which amalgamated in the 1960s to form one resort. Once spa-inspired and a resort since 1893, it is renowned for its stunning views and sunny weather. Crans-Montana's one major failing is that the snow can be poor, in spite of sitting at 1500m. Be sure to check the snow reports before you book.

The town itself is functional, not attractive and traffic can be a problem. Most accommodation will require a bus to the lifts. The lifts are efficient, allowing few queues, except possibly at weekends. Shopping, eating out and general non-skiing activities are good, as befits a large resort. While there is a reasonable amount of nightlife, the majority of visitors prefer a quiet meal to an all-night session. There are also excellent childcare facilities.

On-piste skiing favours beginners and intermediates, with only 2 black runs for advanced. There's plenty of exciting and varied off-piste and this contributes to a strong boarding presence. Crans-Montana also provides some scenic tree-line skiing. The lift pass covers the 160km of pistes, but you will have to pay more to access the Plaine Morte glacier.

Overall, Crans-Montana is a great resort with stunning scenery, many activities and lots of skiing for all. It is a wonderful destination for families seeking quieter evenings. Beware the 3- hour transfer from Geneva, though.

Ski Information:

Highest lift: 3000m (9842ft), Lowest lift: 1500m (4921ft), Vertical drop: 1500m (4921ft), Number of lifts: 34, Number of slopes: 50, Beginner: 40%, Intermediate: 56%, Expert: 4%, Total piste length: 160km, Snowboard parks: 1, Cross country: 40km

The area is conspicuously upmarket, with almost as many well-heeled posers as keen skiers. Best suited to confident intermediates. There is a very lively cosmopolitan ambience in winter; conference groups, golfers and mature wealth in summer.

The accomoodation is varied with a large choice of stylish 4- and 5-star hotels and plenty of smaller mid-range establishments. Abundant apartments, particularly in Aminona; distinct lack of individual chalets. Handful of B&Bs.

Shoppers are well-provided for with the resort in 2 parts, which combine to ensure that just about everything is available, although at a price. Crans boasts the bulk of the designer boutiques and upmarket jewellers, while Montana has more mainstream stores and ski-hire/sports outlets.

Activities in winter include, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, curling, ice-skating, paraskiing, swimming, bowling, squash, tennis; health treatments/wellness centres; scenic hot-air balloon flights. In summer, golf, museums, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, canyoning, paragliding, horse riding, scenic ski-lift rides.

By night there are lively bars and restaurants; choice of late-night music venues and discos; casino; weekly night-skiing on illuminated piste; cinema (often showing English-speaking films).

Those with looking to eat out are spoilt for choice. Fast food, pizza, pasta, Chinese, regional specialities, fondues and upmarket gastronomic French and Italian restaurants. As with most of Switzerland, nothing comes cheap, especially here.

Getting around the area is also pretty stress free with regular free shuttle buses which run until mid-evening around and between the 2 village centres, as well as to neighbouring Violettes and Aminona. Buses also link the outlying parts of town several times daily. Local taxis are convenient but expensive alternatives. Public buses and trains to the valley towns of Sierre and Sion.

Local excursions consist of summer shopping and sightseeing to Zermatt; Lake Maggiore; Montreux and Lake Geneva; scenic alpine tours by coach.

Suggest a change to the Crans-Montana Things to do section (click to dropdown)

Population: 7.489.400
Languages: German 64%, French 20%, Italian 7% (all official);
Currency: Swiss franc
Currency code: CHF
Local Times:
Switzerland - Bern

Switzerland - Bern

Switzerland - Z�rich

Country Dialling Code: +41
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Switzerland, in central Europe, is the land of the Alps. The fusion of German, French and Italian ingredients has formed a robust national culture, and the country's alpine landscapes are certainly vast and varied.

With snow-capped Alps, forested hills, fairytale castles, Renaissance cathedrals, shimmering lakes, stylish spas and luxury ski resorts - it's easy to see why Switzerland has been one of the world's top tourist destinations for the past two centuries.

It's the country that fashioned tourism, so it's no surprise that Switzerland caters to visitors all year round. In spring and summer it offers lakeside chalets, mountain trails and spa resorts. In the sunny southern region of Ticino, near the Italian border, visitors will find palm-fringed Riviera-style resorts offering a host of water sports. Those keen on hiking and mountaineering will find over 31,000 miles (50,000km) of mountain and forest trails throughout the country.

In November the country's ski resorts begin opening, and visitors pour in throughout the Christmas season and until the snow begins to melt with the onset of spring. With the highest pistes in Europe, Switzerland's ski runs offer reliable snow and breathtaking views. Most resorts also have plenty to do for those not so keen on skiing, making Switzerland the perfect destination for a winter fantasy of log fires, fondues and glistening snow.

Switzerland's cities are pristine and beautifully laid out with famous Swiss precision. Zurich is widely held to be the intellectual and artistic centre of the country, sporting incredible architecture and more than a thousand fountains, with many museums and galleries. Geneva is the principal city for the international community, and is home to hundreds of world organisations. Its setting on the shores of Lake Geneva give it a romantic atmosphere, and the city has an exciting, if rather expensive, nightlife.

Mostly German in Central and Eastern parts. French in the West; some Italian in the South. Raeto-Romansch is spoken in the Southeast by 1%. English is spoken by many.

Climate varies throughout Switzerland. In the Alpine regions the temperatures tend to be low. The lower land of the Northern areas has higher temperatures and warmer summers.

This is a very law abiding nation. Dropping litter can cause offence. Don't give Chrysanthemums or white Asters to a host as they are considered to be funeral flowers. Many cultures overlap in Switzerland.

Crans-Montana (Switzerland)

Crans-Montana Suitability Profile