The resort of Crans-Montana
Overview
This world-renowned, all-season, family-friendly resort is situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps in the French-speaking part of the canton of Valais. Located on a sun-drenched plateau above Sierre at an elevation of about 1500 m (4920 ft) above sea level, it is a fusion of the two centres of Crans and Montana which together form one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Valais. With both a mountain village and alpine town atmosphere, Crans-Montana combines all the comforts of a modern holiday resort with an expansive natural landscape, impressive views of mountain peaks from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc, and a particularly wide programme of activities and popular events all year round. whether your visit brings you here in spring, summer, autumn or winter, you'll be guaranteed a truly amazing alpine experience.
Winter Activities
Crans-Montana is one of the most beautiful ski areas in the world. Not only does it have well-groomed varied pistes and good off-piste skiing, but a wide range of other snow sports including cross-country skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing, ice-skating and curling. With so many winter activities on offer it is not surprising that around 50% of winter guests come to Crans-Montana for reasons other than skiing and boarding thereby leaving plenty of room on the slopes for committed skiers!
Downhill Skiing
The sunniest ski resort in Switzerland, the ski slopes are located on a sunny plateau high above the Rhône Valley and range in altitude from 1500 to almost 3000m, topped by the Plaine Morte Glacier at 2,927m (9,600 ft). The skiing domain consists of almost 200km of marked ski slopes for the enjoyment of beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers alike with:
- 17 blue runs (55km)
- 20 red runs (113 km)
- 4 black runs (24 km)
Installations include some 27 lifts: funitel, cable cars, chairlifts, button lifts and even magic carpets for beginners, whilst two snow parks with half pipe will thrill adrenaline junkies. Here's just a taster to whet your appetite.
Crans-Montana is famous for alpine ski racing events and is often on the World Cup schedule.
For more details please visit the official Crans-Montana website for skiing and snowboarding
Cross-country Skiing
The relatively flat plateau of Crans-Montana offers ideal conditions for cross-country skiers. In addition, the infrastructure is well developed, allowing cross-country skiers to discover the same magnificent setting that golfers enjoy in the summer as they glide not only on the whitened 9-hole Jack Nicklaus and 18-hole Severiano Ballesteros golf courses, but also alongside the many snow-covered lakes (Moubra, Etang-Long) around the area. Overall, there are 19.5 km of groomed classic and skating trails.
The trails at a glance:
- Golf Trail: 7 km
- Bluche trail: 3.5 km
- Golf Course Moubra: 2 km
- Moubra trail: 5 km
- Lac Moubra trail: 1 km
- Ski Etang Lac Long: 1 km
- Piste de Moubra: Start at the edge of Lake Moubra where there is a magnificent view of the resort and the ski slopes that overlook it. For convenience, there is also a large car park situated here. This loop takes you around the beautiful 9-holeJack Nicklaus golf course, Quiet and close to nature, this route offers a magnificent view of the Valais Alps, from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.Finish your circuit at the restaurants on their lovely lake-side terraces.
- Piste du Golf: Wonderful itinerary on the Severiano Ballesteros Course, a legendary 18-hole course which hosts the renowned Omega European Masters every year. This tough and varied 6km route offers exceptional surroundings and a stunning view of the Valais Alps. Starting at the Le Miedzor restaurant, whose terrace overlooks the golf course, this circular trail gets a lot of sunshine. You'll also spot plenty of pedestrians enjoying the snowy golf course as you make your way around. One of the oldest courses in Switzerland, it is also ranked as one of the most beautiful in the world and has hosted all the top players.
For more details please visit the official Crans-Montana website for cross-country skiing.
Winter fun for smaller children
On the famous Severiano Ballesteros golf course there is a magic carpet available for the use of novice skiers and sledgers. Close by, at the Maison de Bibi, the home of Crans-Montana's famous marmot mascot, children will enjoy numerous activities including craft projects, games and a library corner, all supervised by the staff of Crans-Montana Tourism and Congress (for more information call +41 848 22 10 12.). You'll also find indoor and outdoor snack bars from where you can watch the fun and enjoy the wonderful Alpine panorama. Take a look.
Small children will enjoy hours of fun in either of the two children's snow playgrounds; one at the Cry d'Er middle station and one on the golf course which is transformed into a children's paradise in winter. A firm family favourite is the Bibi Snow Island which is open from December to April. A host of leisure activities and skiing and snowtubing fun awaits your enjoyment here.
Once you arrive at the part of the golf course called Snow Island, you'll find a true paradise for children: beginners ski pistes, snowtubing, sledging and the 'Maison de Bibi', which welcomes kids with a host of free activities and events. Take a pit stop in the snack bar with its pretty terrace. The view is breath-taking and you can admire the highest peaks, from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.
Make your way along the far end of the 'Etang Long' lake, a particular favourite amongst ice-skaters. You'll arrive at the 'Sporting', another restaurant with a sunny terrace. From here the starting point of the loop is only a few metres away.
Ice Skating and Curling
The brand new Ycoor Ice Centre in Place de Montana provides a high-quality infrastructure for spectators, skaters, ice hockey players and curlers. Here you can enjoy an illuminated outdoor skating rink, an indoor curling hall with 3 rinks, a café with terrace, alongside an 800m2 public square which hosts entertainment and events year-round.
Summer Activities
In Crans-Montana, in addition to popular sports such as hiking, tennis or squash, you can try canyoning, climbing, water skiing or paragliding. The glacial plateau of the Plaine Morte also offers magnificent snow-covered areas in summer. In summer, the five bathing lakes near the village are particularly popular.
Golf
The 18-hole Severiano Ballesteros and 9-hole Jack Nicklaus golf courses offer panoramic views that stretch from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.
Furthermore, as a venue for major sporting events, and with a reputation as a golfing Mecca, Crans-Montana draws visitors from all over the world.
The Most Amazing Golf Courses of the World: Crans Sur Sierre, Switzerland
Hiking
The region of Valais enjoys a wonderful dry climate, perfect for hiking in the summer months. The area is crisscrossed with beautiful walking trails which follow the historic 'bisses' or irrigation channels that were introduced in the 15th century to water the vineyards, crops and meadows. Read more
They traverse locks and bridges on their picturesque route where the sun's rays are filtered through the canopy of trees. Depending on which one you chose to explore, the pathways can be either pleasant gentle strolls, whilst others can be quite challenging in some places - on the steeper slopes for example there is a wooden walkway with a handrail on one side and a vertiginous drop on the other. Openings along the way afford magnificent panoramic vistas across the valley and beyond to the mountains on the other side. Read more
Enjoy the stunning views all year, have some nice walks with or without snowshoes. Guided tours can be arranged or explore on your own. Wherever you are you will be guaranteed stunning views!
A large selection of walks and treks available
- Walks directly from the house to Moubra Lake
- Walks along the so-called bisse, horizontal streams that make up a large part of the Valais landscape and there are many of them in Crans-Montana
- Excursions to vineyards
- Guided shopping tours
Cycling
Crans-Montana stands out as the Swiss alpine centre for cycling. Hugely varied routes, mapped out by a Tour de France regular, cater for all levels and cover the valley up to the peaks. Wherever you are the landscape is simply breath-taking! Take a look!
Mountain Bike - with 177 km of marked trails, two downhill trails and the bike park Kona, Crans-Montana is much appreciated by mountain bikers.