One Day Skiing in Crans-Montana, Switzerland
We were excited to hit the sunny slopes of Crans-Montana, one of Switzerland's top ski resorts.
Our comprehensive guide for first-time skiers to Crans-Montana includes all information you'll need during this trip.
The sunny slopes of Crans-Montana, a top skiing resort in Switzerland, had been on our radar for a while. During our first trip to Valais, we mainly focused on Zermatt, Aletsch, and Saas-Fee. We thought about checking out Crans-Montana, too, but with time running short and a few days of lousy weather keeping us off the slopes, we had to skip it.
The silver lining? We knew it wouldn't be our last trip to this part of the Swiss Alps. Turns out, we were right. Fast forward a year, and we were back in Valais! Once again, we were staying with Lucie's relatives in Brig, making it easy to take longer day trips.
Apart from the usual, we decided to explore a couple of the French-speaking resorts in Valais canton. First, we went to Crans-Montana and tackled the 4 Vallees the next day. And guess what? The weather played nice the whole time! So, if you're curious about our skiing day in Crans-Montana and the must-know tips we discovered, read on!
Martin was having an absolute blast on our ski trip to Crans-Montana!
Buying a Ski Pass to Crans-Montana
Unlike other ski resorts we visited in Valais, we didn't buy tickets in advance because we weren't sure in the evening if we'd go to Crans-Montana or Saas-Fee the next day and decided to leave the decision for the morning. The next day, we decided to hit the slopes in Crans-Montana, so we arrived without a ski pass. So, the first thing we did was head to the ticket counter, where Lucie bought one day tickets for 94 CHF each while I figured out how to get to Plaine Morte first. Most skiers purchased their tickets in advance, so there wasn't a line, and we didn't waste any time here.
They do offer a fast lane ticket, but when we checked the price (on multiple dates), it was more than double the price of a regular pass. There was one time during the day when we wished we had one, but overall, we couldn't justify paying 190 CHF instead of 90 CHF - but that's just us. Remember, they offer 1 to 7-day ski passes that are cheaper and definitely worth getting if you plan on staying longer.
Opening Times
The lifts at Crans-Montana generally open from 8:30-8:45 AM to 4:15-4:30 PM in winter, depending on which cable car you take first. We got to Barzettes just after 8:30 AM, took about 15 minutes to get ready and buy tickets, and had to wait another 15 minutes to board the gondola. So, we didn't start skiing until around 9:00 AM.
When to Visit Crans-Montana
The main skiing season in Crans-Montana typically runs from early December to mid-April, depending on snow conditions. We visited Crans-Montana at the end of December. It was a weekend, and just a few days before New Year's Eve, so the resort was packed with skiers. January, and especially February, are the most popular months to visit Crans-Montana - if you want to avoid crowds, ski before Christmas or wait until March.
We visited Crans-Montana at the end of December and couldn't have asked for better weather.
How We Spent the Day Skiing in Crans-Montana
One of the first things we found out about Crans-Montana is that it has 140 kilometers of slopes, all facing south. That sounds awesome, right? But it can also bring some challenges. The weather is always a big deal on any ski trip. We were a bit worried about those snowy, windy days that kept us from visiting Crans-Montana last year. But this time, the weather seemed determined to make it up to us - maybe even a bit too much.
I started the day rocking my brand-new ski jacket (I finally retired the old one after almost two decades). By the time we made it to Plaine Morte at 2927 meters, the highest spot in Crans-Montana, I was roasting. I opened all my vents (including the ones on my pants) and couldn't wait to hit the slopes to cool down. And remember, it was only 9:30 AM, nearly 3000 meters above sea level, in late December. Lucie, on the other hand, was totally enjoying the sunny morning warmth in the Swiss Alps.
Lucie enjoying sunny views at Plaine Morte, 2927 meters asl - it doesn't get better than this!
When we reached the highest point of the ski resort, we took some time to walk around. The views of the Plaine Morte Glacier and the surrounding peaks (like the 3244m-high Wildstrubel) were amazing! That massive ice field was definitely a highlight of our Crans-Montana adventure. For cross-country skiing enthusiasts, there are two groomed tracks (three and five kilometers) up there. Imagine skiing on an icy plateau at almost 3000 meters elevation. Needless to say, we didn't see anyone on those groomed trails, except for a couple of snowshoers.
At an elevation of 3000 meters, the Plaine Morte Glacier is a breathtaking spectacle.
Our first run took us from Plaine Morte (2927m) all the way down to Barzettes (1506m). Skiing down from 3000 meters to 1500 meters was a blast, as was the cable car ride back to the top. The gondola from Barzettes went as far as Violettes, where we had to switch to a larger aerial tram to Plaine Morte. The views were amazing all the way, but they became more spectacular the closer we got to the top. The whole trip from bottom to top took about 40 minutes, including the wait times.
The views from the cable car ride from Violettes to Plaine Morte were absolutely breathtaking.
However, on our second run, the snow started getting slushy, even at the top. The whole journey quickly became more challenging and tiring. It was getting warmer, so they closed piste 18, and we had to take a 6-seat lift, Cabane de Bois, to Violettes (2220m) to get back to Barzettes on our next run.
Another thing we noticed was that the sunny weather and the fact that it was the weekend brought crowds to Crans-Montana. The slopes felt busier than what we were used to. This was even more obvious when we got back to Barzettes on our second run.
There was a technical issue with the gondola, and though the local technicians fixed it after a few minutes, a large crowd of skiers had already gathered. With each passing minute, more skiers joined the crowd, and since many had Fastlane lift tickets (which cost more than double a regular ski pass), we ended up waiting in line for almost 30 minutes.
Among the resorts we visited in Valais, Crans-Montana was definitely the busiest.
Things got even more crowded after they closed Kandahar, and loads of skiers headed to the Cry d'Er/Bellalui area. By the afternoon, those short, steep sections connecting the slopes became a pain with slushy bumps, icy patches, and tons of skiers around. But the views and the weather were still amazing, so we just focused more on the scenery, took our time while skiing down, and soaked it all in.
No joke, the weather was wild. The info board at Barzettes initially said the Kandahar run would close by 2:30 PM because of avalanche danger. This changed twice during the morning. First, they pushed it to 1:30 PM, then to 12:30 PM. By noon, the digital panel showed 13 degrees Celsius. Lucie even removed her mid-layer at some point!
Oh, and by the way, the black piste number 19 (Kandahar) was absolutely stunning. Despite being rated as difficult, it wasn't too extreme. It was definitely one of our favorite runs at Crans-Montana! The good thing was that they didn't close the cable car, so everyone could still enjoy those incredible views from the top.
The Kandahar piste was by far our favorite in Crans-Montana.
Once we hit Sierre, it was clear that the French dominated this part of Valais. This came with cute nuances, like the avalanche danger info being only in French. It was not too hard to understand, but we'd have liked it if it was translated into other languages (like German or English) too. So, knowing this, we stayed in this part of the resort all morning and planned to go to Cry d'Er (right above Crans-Montana) once Kandahar closed.
So we hopped on the Funitel Violettes/Plaine Morte cable car a few minutes before noon to get one last run down Kandahar. Back on the top, we had an early lunch on Plaine Morte, just sitting in the snow, watching the massive, ever-moving ice.
The Plaine Morte Glacier is small compared to Aletsch, which we saw a few days back, but the view from the summit station gives a unique angle that’s stunning. We could've stayed here forever, but the avalanche risk on Kandahar got us moving.
With our energy back, we took our talents to the south slopes of Cry d'Er in the afternoon. As we hinted, the Cry d'Er area was packed, and skiing in the slush wasn't much fun. Our original plan was to do full runs at least once from Cry d'Er to both Crans and Montana, but we abandoned it after realizing that even at 2200 meters, the conditions were far from ideal. We didn't want to think about how the slopes looked near the Arnouva and Cry d'Er base stations.
We enjoyed an afternoon skiing the runs at Cry d'Er.
We skied here for a while, then took a lift to Bellalui (2543m). We skied back to Violettes mid-station via the red piste 12 (it was a bit in the shadow, so it wasn't too bad). Then we took the National Express lift back to Cry d'Er and enjoyed a few more runs there.
As our legs turned to jello from the challenging conditions, we took another break, finished the last batch of sandwiches, and tried to catch a glimpse of Veysonnaz, where we were heading the next day. At some point, Lucie noted that this was like skiing at Lipno nad Vltavou (our favorite ski resort near Ceske Budejovice back home) in mid-March. The only difference was we were nearly 3000 meters above sea level instead of 900!
For our final run, we considered taking the gondola back to Violettes, but then we decided that wouldn’t be a proper farewell to Crans-Montana. So, we tackled the full run down to Barzettes one more time. And that was it. We got back to our car, loaded up our ski gear, and headed down to Sierre.
Although the skiing conditions weren't ideal, we had a lot of fun in Crans-Montana.
Since we finished a bit earlier, before 4 PM, the soft light made the Rhône Valley look like a painting. I had to focus on the road, though, because it was full of twists and turns. The idyllic scene lasted just a few kilometers past Sierre. As we drove further, it turned out the morning fog and low clouds hadn’t cleared up, and the valley stayed covered in a white blanket. It felt strange seeing that after spending the whole day skiing in almost spring-like conditions.
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Crans-Montana boasts 140 kilometers of groomed slopes suitable for all skiers.
Ways to Reach Crans-Montana
Getting to Crans-Montana can be done in a few different ways, but since it's a big ski resort with multiple entry points, we thought a little intro might help you pick the best one for you. It took us a while to figure it all out, so hopefully, this info is useful. Crans-Montana is a large ski resort with three main cable car stations on a plateau at around 1500 meters. The town in the valley on the A9 highway, which usually serves as the access point to Crans-Montana, is Sierre (or Siders in German).
Anyway, since there are multiple entry points for skiers in this part of the Bernese Alps, it's important to know the pros and cons of each. You'll find all three in Crans-Montana, a municipality that was formed by merging two villages - Crans and Montana. The telecabine stations are Montana-Arnouva on the left side, Crans-Merbe-Cry d'Er in the middle, and Barzettes-Marolires-Violettes on the right.
Taking Train to Crans-Montana
Reaching Crans-Montana by train isn't as simple since regular trains only go as far as Sierre (and then continue through the valley). If you're all about trains during your Switzerland ski trip, Montana has a Montana-Arnouva cable car, the only spot reachable by rail from Sierre with a funicular. First, take a regular train to Sierre, a small town at the bottom of the Rhone Valley. You can easily reach Sierre by train from Lausanne, Geneva, and with a transfer at Visp, also from Bern or Zurich.
Once you get to Sierre, walk about 300 meters to the funicular station. The Crans-Montana Funicular will take you to Montana Gare station. It's a scenic ride, and since it's not free, be sure to enjoy every moment of this 12-minute-long journey. The final stop is Crans-Montana Gare. When you get off, you've got two options: either walk about 850 meters to the nearest cable car station (Arnouva) or wait for the free shuttle bus to take you directly there.
Taking a Bus to Crans-Montana
You can also take a bus to Crans-Montana instead of the train. There are a couple of local buses connecting Sierre with Crans-Montana (numbers 421 and 422 stop at Ycoor), but we think this is better for skiers already staying in Sierre. Since the best way to get to Sierre is by train, we'd probably stick to the rail and take the funicular instead.
We mentioned earlier that a free shuttle bus runs from Aminoma parking to Barzettes. There are also more buses connecting the Crans-Montana village with the cable car stations, and since they're free, it's a fantastic way to get around the municipality.
Driving to Crans-Montana
Since we were coming from Brig, the nearest entry point to Crans-Montana for us was Barzettes. It's only accessible by car or bus, which was fine since we had our car. Barzettes was perfect for us because it was the closest, and it's recommended for those arriving by car. It's on the edge of the municipality, so you avoid driving through it.
The scenic drive to Crans-Montana was absolutely worth it.
Crans-Montana isn't entirely car-free like some other places, so you can start the day at either of the two access points. We think Barzettes is better for those planning to stay in the village for more than just one day.
Anyway, we drove up the Rte de Montana from Sierre, and the 15-kilometer climb with a 1000-meter elevation gain was pretty fun. It was a sunny day, though. I wouldn't want to be driving there in snowy conditions. The winding road was scenic, with two proper lanes, and surprisingly easy to drive on.
By the way, there was heavy snowfall about a week before our trip to Crans-Montana, and snow chains were needed for about three or four days. As mentioned earlier, we drove from Czechia to Switzerland in our own car. If you need to rent a car in Switzerland, you can compare prices here.
Where We Parked at Crans-Montana
We picked Barzettes as our starting point since it's recommended for day-trippers visiting Crans-Montana with their own transport. With 'only' 250 spaces, we worried about finding a spot (it was a weekend, after all), but it was fine. There was a parking machine on the lower ground floor - accepting contactless payments - where we paid after skiing.
There is parking available at each of the three cable cars in Crans-Montana.
Another spot we considered was Aminoma, a free parking lot about three kilometers from Barzettes. I had it as a backup in case Barzettes was full, but it wasn’t, so we didn’t go there. Normally, we'd prefer the free option, but convenience won this time. Parking right at the cable car was worth the extra money to hit the slopes earlier (and leave later). Aminoma is connected to Barzettes by a free shuttle bus (number 421) that runs every 20 minutes in winter (about a 5-minute ride).
Parking Chetseron, with over 500 spaces, is great if you want to start your day at 'Crans' since it's right next to the Crans-Cry d'Er cable car. Parking Stephani and Victoria are two garages in 'Montana,' so you can leave your car there if you want to take the Montana-Arnouva lift first.
There are other parking spots around the village if you need them. If you're staying overnight in Crans-Montana, check if your hotel has on-site parking - it'll make your arrival smoother.
Where to Stay in Crans-Montana
There's definitely no shortage of great hotels in Crans-Montana, from cheap(ish) hostels and alpine-style apartments to luxury 5-star hotels. Unsurprisingly, staying in Crans-Montana is the most convenient option for skiers since you'll usually be just a short walk from the nearest cable car (or a quick bus ride if you stay a bit farther and don't want to lug your heavy skis). Just be prepared that Crans-Montana is one of the Swiss premier ski resorts, so prices are on the higher side.
Another option is to stay in Sierre, ideally within walking distance of the funicular valley station. If you choose this, you could theoretically drive up each day, but we'd probably take the funicular instead.
In our case, we stayed in Brig for the reasons mentioned earlier, which saved us tons of money on accommodation (we know this most likely won't be an option for you). The downside was the hour-long drive to the ski resort and another hour back (to be fair, it wasn't that big of a deal if you ask us). If you're staying in Crans-Montana for a few days, this isn't very convenient, though. So we'd recommend this option (Visp, Brig, etc.) only if you want to explore places like Zermatt, Aletsch, etc., and don't want to change hotels every day.
We chose not to stay in Crans-Montana to save money, though some of the apartments were absolutely stunning.
Mid-range Hotels in Crans-Montana
Hotel Valaisia is definitely one of the best places to stay in Crans-Montana - you get great value for your money here. The hotel has modern decor, cozy rooms with great views, and a delicious buffet breakfast. The best part is it's just a stone's throw from the Arnouva cable car. Another great option is Boutique Hotel Art de Vivre, especially if you prefer a place with great spa facilities and modern design. It's about a 7-minute walk from the Crans cable car station. For a prime location at 2100 meters right on the slope, check out the amazing Chetzeron.
Cheap Hotels in Crans-Montana
Crans-Montana Youth Hostel is one of the few budget-friendly spots in the resort (take 'budget' with a grain of salt). It offers a mix of dorms, rooms with shared/private bathrooms (no shared kitchen, though), and a fantastic location only a short walk from the cable car.
Luxury Hotels in Crans-Montana
The best part of being a premier ski resort is you can bet there are luxurious hotels, perfect for those who want ultimate comfort after a full day of skiing. Some of the top 5-star hotels in Crans-Montana are Six Senses Crans-Montana, LeCrans, and Sport Club Residences & Spa. Each offers a unique experience, top-notch service, amazing rooms, great food, modern wellness facilities, and an exquisite location. If money isn't an issue, any of these pricey hotels is a great choice.
Choosing to stay in Crans-Montana means you'll be closest to the local slopes.
Hotels in Sierre
Some of the best hotels in Sierre are Hotel de la Poste Sierre, which is housed in an 18th-century mansion, and Hotel Au Terminus, a modern hotel with a central location. They offer similar comfort to the hotels in the valley but don't expect them to be much cheaper just because they're outside the ski resort. Both hotels are within a 5-minute walk from the funicular. There's also the self-check-in Nonanteneuf Appart-Hotel Sierre, but it's about 1 kilometer from the funicular.
How Many Days Are Ideal for Skiing in Crans-Montana?
Given that we wanted to broaden our horizons and discover a new place, even with limited time, we'd say that you can definitely see a lot in just one day of skiing in Crans-Montana. While the resort offers a whopping 140 kilometers of slopes, it felt relatively compact to us. We'd definitely prefer two or three days so we could focus on one side of the resort each day and do more runs on our favorite slopes, but we had to work with what we had.
Then there was Kandahar, which closed just around noon. We checked the live map for the next several days, and it kept happening, so it wasn't a rare occurrence. If the avalanche risk is too high, you'll miss out on one of the best slopes, making the area smaller. Closing one piste might not sound like a big deal, but the resort felt smaller without it.
Anyway, despite the less-than-ideal conditions, we really enjoyed our time in Crans-Montana, and even if you can only spare a day, it's definitely worth visiting.
Crans-Montana's incredible views made the skiing experience all the more unforgettable.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
