• v Valais

Crans-Montana

Skiing in Crans-Montana – A complete guide to the Swiss ski resort

© Crans-Montana Tourisme / Olivier Maire

Ski resort figures

Slopes

140

of slopes

ski pass

69

Day ski pass for adult

Slope difficulty

55

of blue slopes

Blue slope

70

of red slopes

Piste rouge

15

of black and yellow slopes

Black slope

Altitude

1500

village

2927

peak

Snow cover

ND

of the ski resort is snow-sure

Ski map

See

Slope conditions

See

Skiing in Crans-Montana

Alpine chic meets sunshine

Set on a sunny plateau stretching over three villages, the Crans-Montana ski resort offers splendid views of the highest peaks in the Alps. Its wide, easy and intermediate level slopes cater above all for casual skiers and their families.

However, what has made Crans-Montana the favourite place for a chic and international clientele is to be found elsewhere than on the slopes. First and foremost its surprisingly diverse and excellent cuisine, whether at the local take-away or in one of the michelin-starred restaurants. The hotels offering is also impressive, with a fine selection of modern and refined establishments with exceptional panoramic views. Plenty of activities and entertainment, including a club on the slopes, make Crans-Montana an ideal resort for holidaymakers who want above all to indulge themselves.

Mountain restaurant

View from Crans-Montana over the Rhone valley in winter
Play Video

Video by Grégory de Leeuw

Our review of the Crans-Montana ski area

For a casual skiing experience

The Plaine Morte glacier, a plateau at an altitude of 2’927m, is the highest point of the ski area. It is ideal for cross-country skiing and walking. The rest of the slopes are between 1’600m and 2’500m. Regarding the ski lifts, the ski resort has recently caught up and replaced the old lifts with gondolas or chairlifts.

Slopes

The skiing is hopelessly orientated towards beginners and occasional skiers, who will enjoy descending the wide, open slopes and the view of the Matterhorn and Weisshorn. The only challenge for experienced skiers is the descent to the valley via the “Piste nationale”, which, with its 12 km, is the longest in the region (departure at Cry d’Er and arrival at Montana).

Photo: CTMTC/ photo-genic.ch / Olivier Maire

Kids

The Arnouva gondola lift, which leaves from the village of Montana up to the “Jardin des neiges”, is free of charge. Conveyor belts and t-bar lifts suitable for learning skiing are available. The resort is perfectly suited for families with day-care centres and activities for children offered throughout the winter.

Snowpark

There is also the beginner’s snowpark for the youngsters who want to learn freestyle and the Super Pipe for the pros, both accessible from the Cry d’Er gondolas.

How to get to Crans-Montana?

Location and access

The ski resort of Crans-Montana is located in the French-speaking canton of Valais, above the town of Sierre. It is easily accessible from the rest of French-speaking Switzerland and from Geneva airport.

Take the highway to Sierre and exit at Sierre-ouest towards Sierre-ouest/Crans-Montana. From there it is a 25 minute drive up to the villages of Crans and Montana.

Distance by car to Crans-Montana

From
Travel time
Lausanne
1h30
Fribourg
1h45
Berne
2h
Geneva-Airport
2h
Zurich-Airport
3h15
Lyon
3h30
Paris
7h

Take the train to Sierre. Then change for the funicular (100m from the station) to the stop “Montana-Gare”. From there, free buses run to the ski lifts and the different parts of the village. Then change for the funicular (100m from the station) to the stop “Montana-Gare”. Take the train to Sierre.

Distance by train to Crans-Montana

From
Travel time
Changes
Lausanne
1h45
1 x
Fribourg
2h45
2 x
Berne
2h
2 x
Geneva-Airport
2h45
1 x
Zurich-Airport
3h30
2 x
Lyon
5h
2 x
Paris
5h45
2 x

SBB train timetable

The nearest international airport is Geneva-Airport.

By public transport
At Geneva airport, head towards the CFF train station. Take the InterRegio 90 to Sierre. Then change for the funicular (100m from the station) to the “Montana-Gare” stop. From there, free buses run to the ski lifts and the different parts of the village. Some hotels offer Airport transfers for their guests. Please inquire at the time of booking.

The adult single journey without reduction costs CHF 72.
Total travel time from Geneva-Airport: 2 hours 45 minutes.

Shuttles
Some hotels offer shuttle busesfrom Sierre, or even directly from the airport.

Crans-Montana is made up of three separate villages. Crans the chic one, with its starred restaurants; Montana more family oriented; and Aminona, quieter and located further away. Restaurants, bars and shops are mostly located around Crans and Montana. Free shuttle buses connect the different villages and drop you off at the foot of the ski lifts, with free shuttle busses.

Hotels in Crans-Montana

The best hotels of the ski resort

The resort is divided into three villages with their own flair. Crans is home to the finest restaurants and hotels. Montana is more central and is especially popular with families. Aminona, on the other hand, is more remote and quiet.

Crans-Montana

Le Mayen de Colombire

  • Budget
  • Ski-in Ski-out
  • With a view

These renovated old chalets, located in the middle of the slopes, offer single bedrooms and modern bathrooms. orms and private rooms available.

These renovated old chalets, located in the middle of the slopes, offer single bedrooms and modern bathrooms. orms and private rooms available.

Dorm / Room

CHF 60 à CHF 110

Crans-Montana

Crans Montana Youth Hostel

  • Budget
  • With a view

Built in 1930 and listed as a historical monument, this hostel offers hotel-like accommodation at affordable prices. Located 10 minutes from the cable cars.

Built in 1930 and listed as a historical monument, this hostel offers hotel-like accommodation at affordable prices. Located 10 minutes from the cable cars.

Dorm / Room

CHF 60 à CHF 130

Crans-Montana

Auberge de la Diligence

  • Budget
  • With a view

This welcoming chalet with a very good price/quality features simple and clean rooms as well as a Lebanese restaurant. It is located 10 minutes walk from the Montana cable car.

This welcoming chalet with a very good price/quality features simple and clean rooms as well as a Lebanese restaurant. It is located 10 minutes walk from the Montana cable car.

per night per room

CHF 98 à CHF 104

Crans-Montana

Hotel Art de Vivre

  • Spa
  • With a view

This hotel located close to the centre of Crans is a 10-minute walk from the cable car. We like it for its good value for money, its spa area and the views of the mountains.

This hotel located close to the centre of Crans is a 10-minute walk from the cable car. We like it for its good value for money, its spa area and the views of the mountains.

per night per room

CHF 210 à CHF 280

Crans-Montana

Hotel Etrier

  • Gastronomy

Renowned for its Gault & Millau restaurant, this hotel boasts beautiful wooded rooms (although not all have been renovated) and a spa area with a heated indoor pool. Located near Crans, 10 minutes from the cable car.

Renowned for its Gault & Millau restaurant, this hotel boasts beautiful wooded rooms (although not all have been renovated) and a spa area with a heated indoor pool. Located near Crans, 10 minutes from the cable car.

per night per room

CHF 220 à CHF 200

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