The Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland is a favorite place for active people and athletes. The unique feature of local places is that they welcome guests at any time of the year – this is facilitated by weather and climatic conditions. And the significant height at which the town is located (1,400 meters above sea level) only attracts tourists.
In Crans-Montana, mountain slopes, dry healthy climate, clean air and sunny weather are ideal for skiing. And if at first Crans-Montana gained fame as the best place for golf (tournaments are held here in the summer all year round), then over time it became a full-fledged ski resort in Switzerland.
Features of the resort
Crans-Montana, one of the most popular and prestigious resorts in Switzerland, is a whole district of three villages. They stretched into a kind of line more than 2 km long on the very slope of the Bernese Alps. In the very center of the resort was the colorful village of Montana (1,400 meters above sea level), to the east is Aminon, and to the west – Crans-Sur-Sierre.
K ran Montana is a whole district of three villages
The population here mostly speaks French. However, there will be no difficulties with translation – all the staff know English, and there are more visitors here than native residents. Experienced skiers and professional athletes love this place for its large number of sunny days and excellent windless weather. The secret is that the resort of Crans-Montana is protected from the cold wind on one side by high mountains (up to 3.4 thousand meters high), and on the other side it is bordered by the Rhône valley.
All visitors note that vacationing at the resort is not cheap at all, since the whole of Crans-Montana consists of fashionable hotels, respectable restaurants and the Polon-Mort skiing area, which is serviced almost all year round.
Equipment rental in Crans-Montana
When going downhill skiing in Montana , you should not drag your equipment with you. Everything you need can be found right there – at local rental points. Exclusive products – equipment from the world’s best manufacturers are presented here. The cost of a standard suit reaches 180 francs for 6 days, and a ski suit for 285 francs for the same time.
Caring for children
Kids will not be left out either, there will be activities for them too. They can enjoy communicating with each other in the Bibi club (3-4 years old) or in the Snowla club (4-6 years old).
Lifts and trails
Zone selection
Snowboarding in Crans-Montana
The resort in Switzerland is visited by both beginners and professionals, as well as athletes. In the mountains, everyone will be able to choose for themselves steep and relief, long and short, gentle and safe routes. Some of them are chosen for themselves by snowboarders, and designated and well-marked areas for freeride expand the possibilities of “board” lovers. They are located on the sides of the red tracks.
For skiing, the ski resort offers three zones at once, which are recommended to be chosen taking into account your skills and capabilities:
Bella Louie Mid-Altitude Track
- Bella Lui is of medium height – it is located above the village of Montana, the height exceeds 2500 m.
- Pat Bonvin is of medium height – it was located above Aminona, the height is 2400 m.
- High mountain Plain Mont – in the north of the resort, here the height already reaches 2927 meters.
The Crans-Montana resort did not forget about freestyle, for which there is a separate area. Children will be asked to conquer Kree-Der.
Ski tracks
Crans-Montana is an ideal ski resort in Switzerland for those who are used to paying for pleasure. Comfortable conditions for skiing holidays are created here. There are a total of about 140 trails for professionals and beginners, which are divided according to the level of danger:
- 15 – black;
- 55 – blue;
- 70 are red.
Crans-Montana trail map
Interesting to know! There is also a super-giant here – a long descent with a length of about 8 km! This is the place chosen by the organizers to host the annual Alpine Skiing World Cup.
Almost all tourists visit ski resorts in order to familiarize themselves with new slopes and tracks; learn new tricks on skis or snowboards; discover new types of winter sports or simply ride the lifts.
Crans-Montana is a resort that welcomes skiers and snowboarders at any time of the year. But, despite this, the snow cover will be consistently large only in winter. And at the beginning of spring and at the end of winter, the resort often uses artificial snow in order to extend the winter season in Crans-Montana.
There are very few tracks for skiing professionals. But there are excellent black tracks of La Toula and Bella Louis. The length of the second Crans-Montana ski track is more than 2,500 meters. Also, a very interesting skiing area for experienced skiers will be the Plain Mort glacier – a specific place with a lot of interesting features. In addition, specialists will be interested in the large 8-kilometer Crans-Montana ski slope.
Crans-Montana is best for skiers of an intermediate level, since the largest number of slopes in the resort are red. Tourists will like them because they are very wide and not heavy at all. Not so difficult that some red tracks can be classified as blue.
The most famous of them is the Piste Nationale – a very flat track, without unexpected climbs and the like. It will bring a lot of pleasure, because almost the entire Crans-Montana ski track has an eastern exposure. This fact is almost the main advantage of Piste Nationale, because all other tracks are eastern.
In addition, the 2,400-meter-long tracks from La Tza to Aminonet, which are located in the Petit-Bonven district, are well suited for such skiers.
There are also a small number of high-quality trails for beginners. Among them is the blue track with a length of more than 2200 meters, which is located in Kri-Der. But, still, Crans-Montana is not quite a suitable place for those who want to ski for the first time.
Ski schools in Crans-Montana
Sooner or later, but someday you definitely have to get on the skis. It is very difficult to do it yourself, and in the vast majority of cases such attempts end in failure. If it is a child, then she may lose the desire to engage in winter sports at some point in her life. Therefore, it is very important to find good ski instructors who will help you take the first steps in conquering the slopes of Crans-Montana .
Instructors who teach the basics of downhill skiing can be found almost everywhere. Often they work in ski schools, are staff of shops with equipment or work at some hotels.
The most famous ski schools in Crans-Montana are Swiss Ski School Crans, Ski & Sky Ski School and Swiss Mountain Sports. It is their staff who will be able to provide you with high-quality skiing lessons.
Skiing in Crans-Montana
The first of these schools, Swiss Ski School Crans, has two branches, one in Crans and the other in Montana. In both branches, classes are held throughout the year for people of any age and any training. Classes are held in different groups, and the price of one lesson depends on which group the tourist chooses. Groups are divided into group, private (1-5 people) and weekend VIP club (3-4 people).
The school specializes in skiing and snowboarding, but also teaches freestyle, telemark and freeride. Price for downhill skiing lessons: 65CHF for 3 hours for a large group; private lessons will cost 70 CHF for 1 hour. In addition, the facility organizes flights by helicopter, airplane or paraglider.
Crans-Montana ski schools
Ski & Sky Ski School also teaches the basics of downhill skiing with the same quality and simplicity. The school was founded in 1996 and is currently a member of the Ecole de Ski Internationale (ESI) union. The advantage of this school is that all its staff are certified instructors who specialize in skiing and snowboarding. There are no group classes at this institution, and all lessons are held exclusively individually. The prices are quite democratic: for 1 hour – 70 CHF, for 1 day – 230 CHF, and for 1 week the tourist will have to pay 450 CHF.
Swiss Mountain Sports is a ski school that is part of the Federation of Swiss Ski Schools. During training, instructors use all kinds of progressive and effective techniques. They find an approach to each beginner skier individually, as individual lessons are mainly held. SMS specializes in skiing, heli-skiing, snowboarding and heli-snowboarding. Prices: 2 hours of group lessons will cost 45 CHF, 5 days of 4 hours – 330 CHF; individual lessons: 1 hour – 70 CHF, 1 day – 420 CHF.
Elevators
This ski resort in Switzerland serves 28 lifts: 10 cable cars, 7 chairlifts and 11 cable cars with cabins. From time to time, some lifts are shut down due to weather conditions, and sometimes for unknown reasons, then the queue for working ones looks like the photo.
The queue for the lift in Crans-Montana
Here you can buy a season ticket for:
- adult 17-64 years old – 800 CHF each;
- children 7-16 years old – 240 CHF;
- youth 17-26 years old – 395 CHF.
You can also purchase ski passes at the cost (from 12:30 p.m.):
- For one adult — 57 CHF/day.
- For children 7-16 years 32 CHF/day.
- For young people 17-26 years old – 43 CHF/day.
Where to stay?
Cran Montana hotels
The Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland offers quite a few options for accommodation. More than two hundred hotel complexes and apartments of various levels await their guests. Three-star hotels are very popular, where the vast majority of travelers stay. Those who decide to go skiing in Crans-Montana should take into account that hotel rooms should be booked in advance. Only in this case, you can expect that the cost of accommodation will be acceptable, and the rooms that you liked will remain free.
The minimum cost of staying in a three-star hotel in the Crans-Montana resort (Switzerland) will be about 140 CHF. The average check for two people per night in a 4* hotel is already 170-200 CHF. However, rather high prices do not deter guests – they are ready to pay for the beauty and the opportunity to ride with the breeze from the mountainside.
Which hotel to choose in Crans-Montana?
Tourists are greeted by favorable weather in Crans-Montana all year round, so experienced travelers advise choosing a suitable place to stay at least 3-5 weeks before the trip. In this case, it is possible to reserve hotels for accommodation, about which the guests have formed the most favorable opinion.
Hotel Royal
In the very center of the resort is the elite Hotel Royal, for wealthy guests it provides many exclusive luxury rooms, including the royal suite. The luxurious rooms have a parquet floor, some of the walls are also decorated with exquisite woodwork. Special notes of romance are given to the rooms by the built-in perimeter lighting system. Among the additional services, it is worth noting the presence of a large indoor pool with panoramic windows, as well as a spa salon with a sauna and massage rooms. The hotel has a chic restaurant that presents French and Mediterranean cuisine, in the evenings there is always live music in the lounge.
Hotel Crans Luxury Lodges
It is 3.3 km from the center of Crans-Montana
Travelers who choose the most luxurious private houses for their vacation will definitely like Crans Luxury Lodges. Built entirely of wood, it is furnished with exclusive designer furniture and decorated with luxurious fabrics. The luxurious chalet has a spacious lounge with a fireplace, as well as a bathroom with a spa bath and a panoramic window. It is especially worth noting the collection of works of art presented in the house, here you can see beautiful paintings, statuettes, wood products and art installations everywhere. The chalet has a small private spa with a sauna and relaxation areas, and in the warm season guests have access to a landscaped area with a garden.
Hotel Grand Hôtel du Golf & Palace
The Grand Hôtel du Golf & Palace occupies a chic Alpine-style building and is within walking distance of the lively central streets of the resort. The historic hotel forms a single complex with the elite golf center Severiano Ballesteros and is famous for its impeccable level of service. His concierge Adriano has been working at the hotel for more than 25 years, he is the owner of a number of prestigious awards, including Golden Keys. Among the regular guests of the hotel are many world celebrities, it offers its highest guests chic imperial rooms decorated with antiques. The spa center offers a wide range of cosmetology services to hotel guests, and there are several high-class restaurants of various specialties on the hotel premises.
Hotel Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours Relais et Chateaux
The fashionable Hotel Hostellerie du Pas de l Ours Relais et Chateaux is an absolutely special institution, it will enchant guests with an atmosphere of luxury and national hospitality. The hotel has an incredibly beautiful decoration of wood and stone, its romantic rooms with a fireplace have huge panoramic windows. Connoisseurs of luxury will have the opportunity to choose one of the special deluxe rooms with a jacuzzi. The hotel has a large L’Alpage spa with a variety of cosmetology and massage rooms, and in the warm season an outdoor pool is available to its customers.
Hotel LeCrans Hotel & Spa
For those who cannot imagine a complete vacation without wellness procedures, the elite spa hotel LeCrans Hotel & Spa offers its services. One of the main features of the hotel is the unique interior of the rooms, dedicated to the culture of different countries of the world. In the elite spa center LeSpa, customers have access to a hammam, as well as many special treatments in the oriental style and a large outdoor heated pool. Among other features of the hotel, it is worth noting the night club, which was stylized as an old wine cellar. Gourmets will prefer the restaurant of international cuisine, the menu of which includes many popular regional delicacies, in the restaurant you can taste the best local wines
provinces
Crans-Montana restaurants and cafes
More than 80 attractive restaurants and cafes are open on the territory of the resort, which will surprise gourmets with the number of specialty dishes. Fans of haute cuisine should visit the Pas de l’Ours restaurant , which is located in the hotel with the same name. Its menu consists exclusively of delicacies, and the wine list will impress even great drink connoisseurs. Nearby is another famous restaurant – Bistrot de l`Ours . The choice of dishes here is also quite significant, and the prices are several times lower than in Pas de l’Ours. Among the signature dishes, regular customers of the restaurant single out entrecote “Parisian”, fricassee with mushrooms and meat with capers and olives.
Among other fashionable restaurants, it is worth highlighting Le Mont Blanc , Giardino and Le Relais , each of them boasts a large number of interesting signature dishes. Connoisseurs of Italian cuisine will be interested in visiting the Olivetto restaurant , and those who prefer Argentinian cuisine will like the Chez Chico restaurant more . Edo can be called the best restaurant of Japanese cuisine . It attracts guests not only with an excellent menu, but also with an attractive atmosphere of luxury, the restaurant hall is decorated in accordance with Eastern traditions.
Giardino
Olivetto
Chez Chico .
Edo
Those who prefer French cuisine should definitely visit the Helvetia Intergolf restaurant . The restaurant’s menu is updated every month, the chefs at Helvetia Intergolf never cease to surprise guests with interesting and original culinary masterpieces. The Chetzeron restaurant of national cuisine is located in the ski area , where you can relax after skiing and enjoy popular local dishes. Fondue remains a favorite delicacy among vacationers. In national restaurants, guests are usually offered at least ten variations of a dish.
Helvetia Intergolf
Chetzeron
Attractive bars are also common in the resort, which can be seen literally everywhere. An interesting institution is Leo’s bar , where you can relax with a large group. In addition to a huge selection of drinks, guests will be offered an equally significant selection of signature dishes and snacks. You should definitely try the signature fondue with beer and cognac. The bar George & Dragon is no less attractive . Almost every day, the so-called “happy-hour” takes place in it – during a certain period of time, visitors can order their favorite beer and treats at special reduced prices.
In the traditional restaurants of the popular ski resort, you can try the most popular dishes of the Canton of Valais. Many dishes of Swiss cuisine, which today are spread not only throughout the country, but are also popular in other countries of the world, were first prepared in this region. It is believed that it was here that cheese fondue was first prepared, and these places are also considered the birthplace of the popular dish “raclette”. It is also prepared from special types of fatty cheese, which is usually melted, now a special type of table oven is used to prepare this dish.
In Crans-Montana, you can try special versions of raclette, which is made from goat cheese, the taste of the dish is very rich. Baking is very common in the local cuisine, here you can try dozens of types of pies. Cheese remains the most popular filling for pies, and wonderful sweet apple pies and hearty potato pies are also prepared here. Typical dishes of the local cuisine are different versions of sausages and sausages, many of which are fried to a crispy crust before serving. Mashed potatoes garnished with fresh herbs are most often served as a side dish to sausage products.
Fans of meat dishes should try different types of stewed meat and meat stews, pork remains the most common type of meat in regional cooking. “Gsottus” is considered a typical dish that cannot be tried in other regions of the country, it was first prepared more than a hundred years ago. The dish is considered “winter”, it is meat stewed in a pot, to which pieces of lard and smoked ham are usually added. The most unusual component of this meat stew is pears, and onions must also be added to it.
In Crans-Montana restaurants, visitors should definitely order meat and cheese cuts. They allow you to try the most popular varieties of local cheese, dried meat and smoked ham, as well as other delicacies that are not common outside the region. In addition to such an assortment of meat and cheese, visitors are usually served pickled vegetables, such a hearty snack can completely replace a full dinner. The local cuisine is very simple, hearty and nutritious, for many years local residents have carefully preserved their unique gastronomic traditions.
Active recreation
Cross-country skis . Go uphill to ski the plains: Plain Mort Glacier offers this opportunity. To get there, you need to get to the top of Les Violettes (2250), and from there the cable car takes those who wish to the glacier. The total length of cross-country trails in Crans-Montana is 45 km: not bad for a ski resort!
Sledding – 5 tracks for sledding, among them even one at night: the 6-kilometer Petit-Bonvin above Aminonet. There are children’s slopes.
The aeroboard is a 100% Swiss invention – a light inflatable sled that rapidly slides down the snowy slopes – in Crans-Montana you can try it on the Petit-Bonvin track: going down a six-kilometer descent will be like flying, explaining the appearance of the “aero” prefix. The aeroboard allows a lot of freedom: you can descend sitting, on your knees, and even – if it’s not scary – on your stomach face down, pretending to be a skeleton. Children learn to hoverboard at the Snow Island children’s “reserve”, located on La Foret Street in Montana. Those who do not have their own aeroboard can rent one at the cable car station in Amino.
Snowbike and snowskate – “compromise” means of transportation – something between a snowboard and a bike, a snowboard and a skate – this is a great way to explore all the Crans-Montana trails at a decent speed. Rental and training – on request.
Aeronautics . At the end of January – the beginning of February, Crans-Montana hosts the International Hot Air Balloon Festival: dozens of real balloons rise into the sky over Lake Grenon and the Rhône Valley. Daredevils can try to fly on a real balloon or on a tethered balloon.
Dog sledding. You can take a ride in a husky-drawn sleigh along both pleasant walking routes and more difficult trekking routes. In the second case, only those who have turned 16 are allowed to ride. The start of the 12-kilometer route is in Amino at six o’clock in the evening. The price for a group of up to 8 people is 400 francs per hour.
In addition, there is a large sports center, a squash center, 7 indoor tennis courts, an outdoor skating rink and a swimming pool with sea water with a temperature of +33 C, golf, bowling, horse riding
Weather
Despite the fact that Crans-Montana is a ski resort, tourists come to the town all year round. This is facilitated by the weather, and there is plenty of entertainment for vacationers at the resort. However, the largest influx of tourists falls on several months – from December to March. It is at this time that the weather pleases with the optimal temperature for skiing and snow.
On the shore of the lake in Crans-Montana
In the high ski season, the average temperature is set at the level of +2 to -5 degrees. In April, the weather is also pleasant, but already with a warm gentle sun, and the air warms up to +10 degrees.
The ideal time for walks and active summer recreation is from May to September. During this period, the weather in Crans-Montana allows you to warm up, but not get sunstroke, because the thermometer does not rise above +22 degrees.
The Crans-Montana ski resort has become the real “heart of the Alps” for a reason. Golf lovers have not stopped coming here, but the resort has become popular with many for its beauty and steep ski slopes, shady walking paths and picturesque views.
How to get there
Nearest railway stations: Sierre, Sion. The SMC cable car from Sierra reaches the Vermala station at the eastern end of Crans-Montana. Buses also go up from Sierre and Sion, and immediately on two routes – the first through Crans-Montana to Amino, the second through Crans-Montana to Crans-sur-Sierre. Travel time is 35-40 minutes.
Distance from airports:
Geneva (Geneva-Cointrin) – 180 km
Basel (Basel-Mulhouse) – 270 km
Zurich (Zurich-Kloten) – 300 km
Milan (Milan Malpensa) – 220 km
