Situated on a broad south-facing plateau, Crans Montana offers a splendid setting for a fun-filled winter holiday in the Rhône Valley. Breathtaking panoramic views and a lively atmosphere attract a fashionable international clientele whilst excellent nursery slopes make it an ideal place for families and beginners to learn.
Crans and Montana are in fact two separate towns, their centres a mile apart from each other with their fringes merging together to form one of the largest ski destinations in Switzerland. Crans is the more upmarket of the two areas with plenty of luxury chalets and apartments to choose from as well as designer shops to peruse, numerous gourmet restaurants to dine at and bustling bars and clubs to while away the evening. Meanwhile, Montana is the quieter and more family-oriented part of the resort.
Spread over a broad mountainside, Crans Montana’s slopes cover 140 km with lifts from four valley bases. Intermediates will adore the broad carving pistes, in particular the 12 km run from Plaine Morte to Les Barzettes and the Piste Nationale downhill course. There is plenty of off-piste for adventurous skiers and gentle nursery slopes for beginners too.
Aside from skiing, there are plenty of alternative ways to explore the region from ski-mountaineering and Nordic walking to paragliding and hot air balloon rides. Children are well catered for with an activity club on the golf course and plenty of sporting facilities including an ice rink and climbing centre. Many people can be seen walking, shopping or leisurely cross-country skiing rather than being up at the crack of dawn to tackle the steepest black runs. Those in search of relaxation will find a wide range of spas complete with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hammams and jacuzzis.
