Crans Montana

Crans Montana Ski Resort

Located on a stunning, south facing plateau above the Rhone Valley, the setting of Crans Montana is certainly hard to beat – and that’s before the extensive skiing is considered.

Yes the southerly orientation does mean the snow quality can suffer, but the sweeping views over the valley to the towering peaks of the Swiss Valais more than make up for this. Fortunately too, most of the skiing is located above 2000m, mitigating some of the sun issues and the resort has invested heavily in an advanced snowmaking system – meaning skiing is better guaranteed than ever before.

As the resort’s name suggests, there are two towns to choose from, Crans and Montana, both of which are accessed via funicular railway from the valley town of Sierre. As they have expanded, they have practically merged together, either side of the small Etang Grenon lake. Further accommodation is available at the Barzettes lift base, but this provides the best access up the hill.

Our Crans Montana Resort Ratings

• Beginner ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
• Intermediate ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Advanced ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
• Snow Reliability ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
• Fast Lifts ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Resort Activities ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Après ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
• Value ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Crans Montana Skiing and Snowboarding

Although the villages lie at 1500m, most of the skiing is 500m further up the mountain, which helps to mitigate against some of the sun issues. Beginners must head up the mountain each morning to the Cry d’Er, the home of the most gentle blue slopes on the mountain. This is also the starting point of most ski days for intermediates, who should then wind their eastwards across to Petit Mont Bonvin.

If you’re looking for quiet runs, skiing the winding routes down to Aminona is well worth the quick (and free) bus ride back to Barzettes. Take on these quiet runs now before the planned new lift is installed in the next few seasons. Advanced skiers and riders should head to the Toula chairlift or ride the Funitel to Plaine Morte, from which the long Kandahar black drops down to the base of the Toula chair.

• Total Pistes: 140km
• Blue: 39%
• Red: 50%
• Black: 11%
• Itineraries: 9 additional routes
• Lifts: 19
• Altitude: 1510m – 2927m

Crans Montana Piste Map

The local area map can be downloaded here.

Crans Montana Season Dates

12th December 2019 - 22nd April 2020

Crans Montana Resort

Both Crans and Montana offer good accommodation options and thanks to a new chairlift at Arnouva, both have equally good access to Cry d’Er. Arguably the best base for swift access to the slopes is Barzettes, but there are fewer hotel and chalet options here – plus you miss out on some of the hustle and bustle further along the road in the centre. Indeed it is here that the majority of the bars and restaurants are located.

Off the slopes, there is a popular tobogganing route down from Arnouva and taking the Funitel all the way to the Plaine Morte is a must – at the summit there is a grotto in the glacier and it possesses some of the most spectacular views of the Swiss Valais.

How to get to Crans Montana

Access is very easy from Geneva, simply drive around the lake and up the Rhone Valley and you’ll be in resort in two hours. Train access is also very easy, catch the train to Sierre and take the funicular up the hill.

• Geneva airport: 2 hours (driving) or 2.5-3 hours (train)
• Calais: approximately 10 hours driving (541 miles)

Crans Montana Contact Details

• Website: www.mycma.ch
• Email: info@mycma.ch
• Telephone: +41 08 48 22 10 12
• Facebook: @cransmontana.resort
• Instagram: @cransmontana.resort