Crans and Montana are two separate villages that have grown beyond their original boundaries to become one resort, while retaining their distinct characters. Crans-Montana sits around 1,500 metres above the Rhône valley in one of the sunniest parts of Switzerland. A popular winter destination, it is quieter in summer but still attracts a varied mix of visitors. In the warmer months, it is known for its sunny aspect and golf courses, but there are also lakes, trails and plenty of access to the surrounding mountains.
It is a long climb from the valley floor at Sierre, winding through the vineyards of Valais before ascending through a series of small hamlets that gradually blend into one another. The vineyards give way to pastures, then coniferous woodland as the road reaches Crans. Higher still, passing through the resort towards Montana, ski lifts are all that remain to take you from 1,500 metres to the Plaine Morte Glacier at around 3,000 metres.
The two villages have different personalities. Crans is dominated by golf courses, luxury boutiques and hotels, while Montana is a little more practical. Montana is also the older of the two, with the first hotels built here in 1892. A free bus service links the villages and their satellite areas, many of which are a steep walk from the main centres.
The ski area stretches from the Plaine Morte Glacier down through the tree line and beyond. The pistes are broad and open, although more advanced skiers will need to explore further afield to find more demanding terrain. In winter, the golf courses are transformed into cross-country ski trails.
In summer, Crans-Montana is largely about golf. The 18-hole Severiano Ballesteros Golf Course sits on a high plateau with views across the Rhône valley and surrounding mountains, and hosts international tournaments each summer. Hiking is also popular, although many trails on the pistes are wide and better suited to vehicles than walkers. The better hikes tend to head away from the resort, including the many bisse trails that follow the old irrigation channels of Valais.
Mountain biking is available from the two-stage Cry d'Er cable car, with two downhill tracks from the top. The red-graded Mont Lachaux is the better of the two, with some particularly scenic sections to distract from the trail ahead. The more difficult black-graded track starts a short ride from the lift station and is shorter and less interesting. There is little here for beginners beyond gravel roads. For proper singletrack, it is better to head away from the resort towards the neighbouring villages and eventually down to the valley floor.
Crans-Montana also has a collection of small lakes. Étang Long, close to the golf course, has a wake park, while Lac de la Moubra is surrounded by camping and sports facilities. For something less alpine, the Vision Art Festival brings painting and large-scale artworks to the resort and surrounding mountains each year. Many of the works remain long after the festival, appearing on municipal buildings, ski stations and other unlikely surfaces.
Crans-Montana feels different from many of Switzerland's better-known resorts. It could easily be mentioned alongside Gstaad, Saas-Fee or St Moritz, but events such as the Vision Art Festival and World Enduro mountain biking give it a less formal and more relaxed character. It is polished without being too precious, and its position above the Rhône valley makes it a useful base for exploring the wider Valais.