Crans-Montana

A sun-drenched Alpine resort with year-round appeal

Crans-Montana occupies one of the most privileged positions in the Swiss Alps: a broad, south-facing plateau that receives exceptional sunshine throughout the year. The resort has a more urban, town-like character than many Alpine destinations, with a wide range of shops, restaurants, galleries, and services spread along its main avenues. This makes it equally suited to visitors looking for outdoor adventure and those who appreciate a certain level of comfort and convenience without needing to travel to a city.

• Exceptional panoramic views — the plateau faces an unbroken line of 4,000-metre peaks, including the Matterhorn, Weisshorn, Dent Blanche, and Mont Blanc, visible from much of the resort

• Over 140 km of ski runs — the ski area rises from 1,500 m to the Plaine Morte glacier at 2,927 m, with runs suited to all levels and notably long descents back to the resort

• The Plaine Morte glacier — one of the largest plateau glaciers in the Alps, accessible by cable car, offering high-altitude skiing in winter and a striking landscape for summer excursions

• Championship golf — the Severiano Ballesteros-designed Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre hosts the Omega European Masters annually, one of the longest-running events on the European Tour

• Generous sunshine — Crans-Montana is one of the sunniest resorts in Switzerland, with an average of over 300 days of sunshine per year, a fact that has attracted visitors since the early 20th century

• A wide selection of restaurants and shops — the resort has a more cosmopolitan feel than many mountain villages, with dining options ranging from traditional Valaisan cuisine to international fine dining

• Lake walks and forest trails — several small lakes (Étang Long, Lac Grenon, Lac Moubra) are set within the forests around the resort, providing gentle walking routes accessible year-round

• Cultural programme and events — Crans-Montana hosts the Caprices Festival (music), the Omega European Masters (golf), FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races, and a variety of seasonal events throughout the year

Spotlight on Crans-Montana

The town of Crans-Montana was born in the late 19th century, when the dry, sunny climate of the plateau attracted visitors seeking health cures. The resort is made up of two villages, Crans to the west and Montana to the east, which grew towards each other and now make one town. Crans-Montana is different from most Swiss ski resorts in that it is perched on a wide south-facing terrace at 1,500m, not at the bottom of a valley. It looks across the Rhône Valley to the Matterhorn, Weisshorn and Mont Blanc.

The ski area climbs to the Plaine Morte glacier at 2,927 m and offers a wide array of runs, open cruising terrain up top, and more technical runs through the forest further down. The resort has played host to the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events and will host the 2027 World Championships. There are cross-country trails across the plateau and around the lakes.

Golf is just as famous in Crans-Montana. The Omega European Masters is held each September at Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre, which was founded in 1906. In summer, hiking and mountain biking are the order of the day, with easy walks around lakes (Étang Long, Lac Grenon, and Lac Moubra) and more challenging routes to the Plaine Morte glacier or along the historic Bisse du Ro, one of the most dramatic cliff-side trails in the Valais.

The resort offers a broader commercial offering than most mountain villages: boutiques, restaurants, galleries, a cinema and regular cultural events. It has more of an urban beat, geared toward visitors who want access to the mountains without giving up the conveniences of town.

Getting There

• By Plane: Geneva (2h 15 min), Zurich (3h), Sion (30 min), or Bern (1h 45 min). Emerald Stay can arrange private transfers.

• By Train: Train to Sierre, then the SMC funicular: 12 minutes directly up to Montana, no bus or taxi needed.

• By Car: Geneva 2h15, Zurich 3h, Sion 25 min, Lausanne 1h40, Milan 2h45.

The road from Sierre to Crans-Montana is well maintained and relatively short (approximately 15 minutes). Winter tyres are required from November to April.