Crans-Montana Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Crans-Montana

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 the towering Alps, fairytale castles, forested hills, shimmering lakes, renaissance cathedrals, stylish spas and luxury ski resorts - it's no surprise to see why Switzerland has been one of the world's top tourist destinations for the past 200 years.

Switzerland's peak season starts in November with the launch parties of the various ski resorts with visitors flocking into the resorts throughout the winter and Christmas season before finally hanging up the ski boots with the onset of spring. With the highest pistes in Europe, the ski runs offer reliable snow and breathtaking views. Most of the 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.

Despite being most popular as a Ski destination, Switzerland caters to visitors all year round. In spring and summer it offers mountain trails and spa resorts and in the sunny southern region of Ticino, visitors enjoy palm-fringed Riviera-style resorts offering a variety of water sports. Those keen on hiking and mountaineering will find over 30,000 miles of forest and mountain trails throughout the country.

Switzerland's main cities include:

Zurich - Switzerland's biggest city and a major center of banking also has a thriving nightlife.
Geneva - This center of arts and culture, the second-largest city in Switzerland, is by far the international capital-- home to around 200 governmental and non-governmental organizations. Geneva was the home of John Calvin during the Reformation, elevating the city to the rank of "Protestant Rome," the effects of which drive Geneva today.
Berne - The Swiss capital features an amazingly well preserved old-town with arcades along almost every street. Great restaurants abound, as do bars and clubs. Check out the Einstein sites as well.
Basel - Slightly smaller than Geneva, Switzerland's third city is the traveler's gateway to the German Rhineland and Alsace.
Lausanne - While Geneva is busy being the international capital, Lausanne fills the role in most of the rest of French-speaking Switzerland. Scenery, dining, dancing, boating and the Swiss wine-country are the draws.
Lugano - Italian-speaking Switzerland's top destination, with a gorgeous old-town and a pretty lake. The food is simply amazing.
Lucerne - Central Switzerland's main city with direct water links to all of the early Swiss historic sights. It's pretty too, and though it is heavily touristed the views and museums make putting up with the crowds well worthwhile.

Crans-Montana Travel Guide

Crans-Montana Suitability Profile