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Crans Montana Ski Resort
Crans Montana is formed of two towns - Crans-sur-Sierre and Montana - which were merged in the 60s to form the ski resort we know today. Crans is the more fashionable, with shops like Cartier and Gucci lining the streets while with a more down-to-earth vibe, Montana has livelier après ski and cheaper places to eat.
The resort itself is less Swiss chocolate box and more a mix of different architecture but once you’re out on the mountain you’ll enjoy some incredible scenery: high up on a sun-drenched plateau in the Valais region, you have a 200km vista stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc and up the Rhône Valley.
Staying here means you get all the advantages of a small resort combined with the cultural activities, shopping, gastronomic variety and international events of a big ski town. Highlights on the calendar include the Caprices Festival (one of the largest music festivals in Switzerland), the Omega European Masters and World Cup events.
Yes, Bond-legend Roger Moore had a house here but there’s a lot more to this place than its famous frequenters, including some fascinating history.
Had you been a patient of Dr Theodore Stephani in the 1890s, your road to recovery would have started here for the healing powers of the fresh mountain air, which is how the area started attracting tourists. Golf also has an important role to play, with the first Swiss Open hosted here in 1939.
This is one of the oldest Alpine resorts and has a longstanding place in the history of skiing. The famous Lunn family (who founded the Kandahar Ski Club) organised races here as far back as 1911. Today the resort hosts a roster of World Cup and European Championship events, and has become a centre for important downhill events.
It’s also super sunny – the southern facing orientation means on average it sees more than 300 days of sunshine each year.
If you’re not tempted by the skiing, shopping or sunshine, visit for the food. Thanks to the warm climate and fertile earth, agriculture is a big thing here and everything starts with local produce. Traditional delicacies still account for much of the cuisine like Raclette, traditional fondues and Valais wine.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Switzerland, Valais
Established: 1911
Open: December to April
Downhill: 140km
View our detailed Crans Montana snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Crans Montana snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Geneva | 190km 2h10 |
| Basel | 275km 2h47 |
| Zurich | 305km 3h20 |
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| Top Altitude: | 3000m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1500m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1500m |
| Longest run: | Barzettes, 12km |
| Slope Orientation: | S |
| Vertical Drop: | 1500m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 1500m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | Yes - Plaine Morte, 3000m |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 140km |
| Beginner slopes: | 41% |
| Intermediate: | 49% |
| Advanced slopes: | 10% |
| Lift Pass Price: | CHF 326 (Adult 6 days) |
| Nearby resorts: Anzere, Grimentz | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Crans Montana
The four main lifts that take you up to the different parts of the mountain are accessible via the local ski bus.
Children and complete novices will learn the basics in the ‘Snow Island’ area – which serves as the golf course in the summer months and has some lovely gentle nursery slopes. The magic carpet here is perfect for little children, and much easier to use than a drag lift if you are a total novice. The Discovery area has a beginners only ‘Secure’ run near the Verdets lift, and there’s also a fun area by the Merignou lift that has small jumps and an easy ski cross.
With 17 blues, there are some pleasant easy cruisers all over the area. From the Cry d’Er area above Crans, you’ll find 3 blues served by drag lifts, the two Mérignou runs and the longer Chetzeron, which has a lovely mountain restaurant at the bottom.
More confident skiers/boarders have a network of 20 reds, including a fabulous long one from the Plaine Morte glacier (at 3000m the views are incredible).
There are 4 blacks, including Col du pochet from Bellalul (2543m). The red Nationale which goes down from the Cry d’Er area is a must ski as it has hosted the World Cup men’s downhill. There’s also quite a lot of off-piste, including itinerary routes - a guide will be able to take you down some awesome routes on the glacier and around Chetzeron.
Freestylers can while away the week in the ‘Adrenaline’ area (access via the Crans gondola) which has a halfpipe, ski/boarder cross and not one but two snowparks – one for beginners and the other one of the biggest in Switzerland, covering 100,000 square metres.
Torch lit descents and night skiing often take place throughout the season if you want to have some slope time after hours – check with the tourist office or ski schools for specific days and times.
This is probably one of the best places in Switzerland for cross country (or Nordic) skiing. As it is based on a plateau there are plenty of flat sections, and there are several lakes surrounding the resort to circumnavigate such as Lac Moubra. The scenery from the track on the Piste Briesses is stunning, and this circuit links up with the one on the golf course.
Crans Montana Apres Ski
The après is laid back and quiet but with over 130 restaurants and bars and 3 nightclubs, there’s still lots to do.
Zerodix (at the end of the blue Crans piste by the Cry D’Er lift station) is a hotspot for lively après ski drinks and snacks. New additions include 180 degrees at the Crans Ambassador Hotel (you can ski to it) and the Memphis Bar and Lounge in Crans.
For a bit of insider knowledge about the local tipples, visit Ratatouille for wine tastings and Brasserie La Marmotte to sample the local beer.
The resort has no shortage of restaurants with over 90 offering varied cuisines including Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian, Argentinian and Lebanese.
Chef Pierre Crepaud serves some cracking food at Le Mont Blanc Restaurant and if (like us) you can’t resist the idea of Raclette melted over a wood fire, book a table at La Dent Blanche.
Located at a heady height of 2112 metres, Chetzeron has a menu of Valaisan food and wine that you can enjoy in the restaurant or out on the 3 level terrace which has some awesome mountain views.
Higher up at Cabane des Violettes (2208 meters), Michelin star chef Franck Reynaud has a gourmet menu highlighting regional treasures – try Franck’s famous Rosti de Cabane des Violettes. You can ski to the hut or it’s a 2 minute walk from the top of the Violettes gondola.
For a good old plate of pizza, Le Michelangelo has a well-priced menu. Anyone with a sweet tooth should definitely drop in to L'Instant Chocolat in Montana to see Swiss chocolate master David Pasquiet at work.
If you are self-catering or fancy grabbing a cheaper bite for lunch there are several supermarkets: a Migros, 2 Co-ops and a PAM.
Non skiers and anyone looking for something to do once the lifts close have over 180 shops to peruse as well as spas, cafes, a cinema, ice rink, bowling alley and a casino to fill the time.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Crans Montana
Best time to visit & ski Crans Montana
Crans Montana is known for its sunshine, and with most of the slopes being south facing, the best time to ski is earlier in the season throughout January and February. Snow tends to hold out well here, with top heights of 3000m. One third of the slopes have artificial snowmaking, which makes sure there’s good coverage at the beginning of the season if there hasn’t been enough natural snowfall.
Peak Dates
Spend a week of good skiing, good food and good festivities during Christmas in Crans Montana. Crans Montana Christmas ski holidays ‣
With the traditional firework display at the ice rink and fun for the family on Rue Louis Antille, spending New Year in Crans Montana can make your week of skiing extra exciting. Crans Montana New Year ski holidays ‣
Known as one of the quieter resorts but also known for being really family friendly, Half term in Crans Montana is a place where you can enjoy an action packed week on the mountains. Crans Montana Half Term ski holidays ‣
Whether or not there’s good enough snow to ski all day, the spring sunshine makes Easter in Crans Montana spectacular. Crans Montana Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Crans Montana
Crans Montana's sunny climate, family orientated resort and extensive non-ski offerings make it an excellent place for families.
In winter the infamous golf course transforms into the Snow Island children's area, with snowtubing, sledding, gentle pistes and indoor shelter. The ‘Discovery Space' (accessed by the Grand-Signal gondola from Montana) is tailor made for families - beginners will want to hop off at the area by the Verdets lift, which is split into the snow garden and a secure run while more confident skiers can stay on the lift to reach the top, where you'll find some gentle jumps and a skicross. Teens will love the Adrenaline space which consists of a ski / boardercross, airbag and 2 snowparks, while the wider area is a network of fabulous blues, reds and a few blacks stretching from Crans over to Aminona.
Skiing aside, a fantastic 6km sled run (one of the longest and most scenic in the country) takes you all the way down to Aminona - there's a nice picnic spot at the top for a quick snack before you slide down. The tourist office usually arrange activities like treasure hunts around the resort and for bad weather days, indoor activities for families include bowling on Route du Rawyl and a 3D cinema.
GroupsGroup Holidays Crans Montana
Crans Montana can be a fabulous ski resort for groups, especially if you're a mix of skiers and non-skiers. While the après doesn't yet rival the legendary scene in Verbier, there's plenty for groups after dark. As the lifts start to close, most ski down to the Cry d'Er base station for a drinks and snacks at Zerodix (their nacho, burger and chicken platter is always a group favourite). Later on, Amadeus below the Hotel Olympic have been hosting themed nights and dolling out buckets of Jäger bombs for the past twenty years and Monk'Is is always known to throw a good party.
The ski area is nice and varied for different abilities, from the beginner-only ‘Secure' run to off-piste itinerary routes beneath the Plaine Morte glacier and the World Cup men's downhill from Cry d'Er. Book a private group lesson if you're all learning together, or go all-out with a heliski trip - this area of the world has some astounding terrain to explore.
Activities aren't hard to come by - try snowscooting for something different, experience one of the best sled runs in the Alps above Aminona or head to the bowling alley and engage in a little healthy competition.
One of Crans Montana's best concessions to groups -- it's terrific for non-skiers: from shops (this is the Alps' biggest luxury shopping area) art galleries, museums and a cinema to fabulous spas and swimming pools, winter walks galore and access to the railways at Sion and Sierre.
Which are the best ski holidays in Crans Montana?
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