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Crans Montana Crans and Montana-Vermala, at 4,985 feet (1,494m), are twin ski resorts and another one of Switzerland's big, world-famous ski resorts. Crans-Montana is occupying what is claimed to be the sunniest plateau in the Valais, facing south over the Rhône valley with a spectacular panorama of many peaks of the Alps. Along with Verbier and St Moritz, it is also fashionable and long associated with upscale International tourism. Crans, whose hotel construction began in 1912, is composed for the most part of colonies of apartments and hotels, many in the half-timbered mountain style. Montana, clustered around the shores of Lac Grenon, is the older section, begun in 1892. Connected to them both, at a slightly lower altitude, is Aminona, still an infant resort but rising rapidly. Crans-Montana can be reached by car either from Sierre (main road Chermignon to Crans-Montana or Mollens to Crans-Montana) or from Sion (main road Lens to Crans-Montana). The bus network serves the villages between Sierre, Montana and Crans via Chermignon or via Mollens. Another possibility is the funicular railway from Sierre to Montana (duration 12 minutes). Crans-Montana Tourism: Area map and public transportation |
Crans Montana is well known as a Skier's Paradise with its perennially snow-bound mountains. Skiing takes second place to the round of wining and dining embarked upon by fashionable aficionados of Crans Montana's affluent social life - although the resort does have the advantage of access to year-round skiing on the Plaine Morte glacier, way up above 10,000 feet (3,000m).