Crans-Montana

About Crans-Montana

If sunshine, epic views and a lively village scene are all priorities for your ski vacation, then a trip to Crans-Montana should be high on your list of options for your next trip to the Alps. Located on a plateau about 5,000 feet above sea level, this delightful resort looks out over the scenic Rhone Valley in southern Valais, the third largest canton (Swiss state) in southern Switzerland. With a reputation as the sunniest resort in Switzerland, boasting 300 days of sunshine a year, sun worshipers will enjoy basking in Crans-Montana's enviable climate, where snow meets the sun. Crans-Montana is comprised of two neighboring villages that sit next to five small lakes and are connected via a mile-long boulevard, the Rue du Prado, brimming with chic boutiques, restaurants, hotels and bars.

Skiing atop the resort offers skiers and boarders unbeatable views of Switzerland’s most iconic and tallest peaks, including Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. Plus, just in case great skiing is not enough to keep you busy, Crans-Montana has extensive cross-country trails, ice skating and tobogganing for more outdoor activities. Aside from winter sports, the resort also offers an equestrian school, tennis and squash centers and some terrific nightlife, including the Circus Casino of Crans-Montana. The resort’s reputation extends beyond the winter season, as it transforms into a summer paradise for hikers, cyclists, and golfers. Additionally, the Caprices Festival, a unique mountain pop-rock event held in winter, injects a lively cultural vibe into the serene Alpine setting.

A perk of visiting this area in the summer or fall is the Explorer card and its benefits offered. With this card, all guests who are paying a visitor tax receive benefits they can use throughout their trip. These include things like free minigolf and indoor ice-skating access, as well as discounted fares on tickets for the cable car. Whether you're carving through pristine snow, indulging in gourmet cuisine, or simply soaking in the stunning views, Crans-Montana offers an unforgettable Alpine experience that sets it apart from other ski destinations around the world.

How to get to Crans-Montana

Located within the Swiss Alps, Crans-Montana is effortlessly accessible, located in the picturesque French-speaking region of Valais. The most convenient airport to fly into is Sion Airport (SIR) in Sion, Switzerland, only 19 miles away for a commute time of half an hour, though, the more popular and economic option is Geneva Airport (GVA) in Geneva, Switzerland. You can expect a transfer time of two hours and 111 miles to Crans-Montana. From either airport, you can rent a car for heightened flexibility or, from Geneva, you can take the train to Sierre, which is the nearest train station to Crans-Montana. From Sierre, you can use the local bus or the funicular to reach Crans-Montana. The "AlpyBus" shuttle service also offers transfers from Geneva Airport (GVA) to Crans-Montana for about 80 CHF ($95 USD) per person. Another airport option is Bern Airport (BRN), for a two-hour commute of 77 miles.

Getting around Crans-Montana is effortless, thanks to its well-organized transportation options. The resort offers free shuttle buses that connect key areas, including ski lifts, hotels, and popular attractions. Additionally, the funicular and public buses provide easy access to nearby towns and scenic spots, making exploration convenient and enjoyable.

Skiing in Crans-Montana

Despite its popularity and size, Crans-Montana manages to efficiently disperse the crowds, thanks to its excellent lift system. Two six-person gondolas and the 30-passenger tram, the Plaine Morte funitel, carry everyone from beginners to experts to the wide-open areas of Cry d'Er, a high alpine zone, where you’ll find the Cry d’Er Club d’Altitude restaurant with traditional Valais and Italian food as well as a huge sun terrace where a DJ typically performs.

Cry d’Err is where the lifts from the Crans side and the Montana side intersect, making it an exceptional meeting spot for lunch or an afternoon drink. The vast majority of Crans-Montana skiing qualifies as “red terrain,” which is intermediate to advanced, but there are some beginner runs situated at the bottom of the resort, and a handful of black, or expert, pistes located near the top of the resort. The breakdown of the pistes is 34 miles of blue, 43 miles of red and just over 9 miles of black and yellow routes. The resort also has a total of 24 lifts so even the highest point, Plaine Morte, is accessible to guests seeking the challenge of a run that’s almost 7.5 miles long.

Beginner Skiing in Crans-Montana, Switzerland

Beginners will love learning on Crans-Montana’s sunny, warm “learn to ski” slopes, located at the base of the resort. The Cry D’Er area also offers more seasoned beginners even more options, including convenient access to the on-mountain restaurants and great views of the terrain parks. The Cry D’Er area provides the perfect stepping-stones for beginner skiers to become intermediate skiers.

Family vacations in Crans-Montana

The sprawling city of Crans-Montana presents some challenges for families, however the friendly-family terrain does not. In fact the Crans Montana family skiing is one of its biggest draws. The Cry D’Er zone, accessed from the tram, offers families the perfect Launchpad to pass all their on-mountain experiences out of. Here, beginners will find an ideal “slow skiing” zone perfect for learning some new skills. Cry D’Er also provides aspiring jibbers and freestyle skiers with a 107,600-plus-square-foot terrain park, with features for every level. This area also offers a convenient on-mountain restaurant. The resort’s ample southern sun makes skiing enjoyable for little ones who easily get cold. You’ll have a hard time dragging them off the mountain at the end of the day.

The Crans-Montana family lodging offerings aren’t quite as ideal, but Ski.com’s tracked a top-of-mind choice that provides families will some fun après-ski amenities. Families will most appreciate four-star Hotel Helvetia Intergolf’s superb, meal-inclusive rates and amenities. The kids will enjoy swimming in the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, while parents relax in the nearby indoor hot tub. Ski storage facilities also eliminate the stress of schlepping the whole family’s gear around the hotel.