THE SWISS SKI COLLECTION

Crans-Montana Skiing & Alpine Views

Crans-Montana is one of Switzerland’s most scenic ski resorts, offering 140 km of south-facing pistes between 1,500 and 3,000 metres. Enjoy varied skiing, spectacular Valais Alps panoramas and a vibrant mountain atmosphere.

© Swiss-Mounts.com

Crans-Montana Ski Resort

Crans-Montana is one of Switzerland’s most attractive ski resorts, combining extensive slopes, high-altitude skiing and spectacular Alpine views. Located above the Rhône Valley in Valais, the resort stretches between Crans, Montana and the surrounding mountain areas.

With around 140 km of ski slopes, Crans-Montana offers terrain for beginners, intermediate skiers and experienced winter sports enthusiasts. The ski area reaches up to around 3,000 metres at Plaine Morte, providing excellent high-altitude terrain and impressive panoramic views across the Swiss Alps.

Crans-Montana is particularly known for its sunny slopes, wide pistes and varied winter activities. Skiers can enjoy well-groomed runs, freeride terrain, snowparks and scenic descents through the mountain landscape. The resort also offers a lively selection of restaurants, mountain huts and après-ski options.

The combination of reliable high-altitude skiing, sunshine, extensive facilities and easy access makes Crans-Montana a popular destination for a Swiss ski holiday. Whether you are planning a day on the slopes or a longer winter stay, Crans-Montana offers a diverse Alpine experience for different types of skiers.

Explore the ski area, piste map, lifts, snow conditions, travel options and highlights on Swiss-Mounts.

Crans-Montana Highlights

Plaine Morte Glacier © Swiss-Mounts.com

Plaine Morte Glacier

Ski at high altitude around the Plaine Morte glacier, reaching almost 3,000 metres above sea level. The high-alpine terrain offers impressive snow-covered landscapes, long runs and spectacular views across the Valais Alps.
Panoramic Alpine Views © Swiss-Mounts.com

Panoramic Alpine Views

Crans-Montana is famous for its spectacular views across the Valais Alps. From the ski slopes, visitors can enjoy wide panoramas towards numerous iconic Alpine peaks while skiing on sunny south-facing terrain.
Sunny Skiing in Crans-Montana © Swiss-Mounts.com

Sunny Skiing in Crans-Montana

Enjoy skiing on wide, beautifully groomed pistes surrounded by an impressive mountain panorama. Crans-Montana combines varied terrain, sunny slopes and a lively alpine atmosphere for an unforgettable winter experience.
PLAN YOUR SKI DAY

Buy Your Ski Pass

Get your ski pass for Crans-Montana and get ready for your day on the slopes.

THE SKI AREA

Ski Area at a Glance

Get to know the ski area at a glance, from its piste network and mountain elevations to the lifts that connect the slopes. Use these key figures to plan your Alpine skiing experience.

140 km

Piste kilometres

1,500 m

Lowest point

3,000 m

Highest point

24

Mountain lifts

FIND YOUR PERFECT RUN

Skiing in Crans-Montana by Ability

Discover the best skiing in Crans-Montana for every experience level, from first turns on gentle slopes to challenging high-alpine terrain.

01

Beginners

Crans-Montana is well suited to beginners, with several gentle slopes and dedicated learning areas around the resort. Wide, well-prepared pistes provide a comfortable environment for building confidence, while the lower mountain areas offer easy access to ski schools and beginner facilities.

02

Intermediate Skiers

Intermediate skiers will find an extensive choice of blue and red pistes across Crans-Montana. The ski area combines wide cruising slopes with longer descents and varied terrain, making it ideal for exploring different parts of the resort throughout the day.

03

Advanced Skiers

Advanced skiers can enjoy steeper red and black pistes, challenging sections and longer descents across the Crans-Montana ski area. The higher slopes provide more demanding terrain and excellent opportunities for experienced skiers looking for variety and stronger gradients.

04

Expert Skiers

Crans-Montana also offers challenging high-mountain terrain for expert skiers. Steeper slopes, demanding sections and freeride opportunities in the upper part of the ski area provide more technical terrain for experienced skiers seeking an adventurous day in the Alps.

EXPLORE THE SLOPES

Best Runs in Crans-Montana

Discover some of the most memorable ski runs in Crans-Montana, from scenic descents to challenging slopes across the Alpine ski area.

La Nationale ski run in Crans-Montana
01
01
Advanced

La Nationale

3.8 km 969 m drop
La Nationale is one of Crans-Montana’s most iconic ski runs, combining high-speed sections, technical terrain and spectacular views across the Valais Alps. The long descent runs from the upper mountain towards the resort and is particularly suited to confident advanced skiers.
BEST FOR Advanced Skiers
Mont Lachaux ski run in Crans-Montana
02
02
Advanced

Mont Lachaux

2.45 km 665 m drop
Mont Lachaux is a demanding and highly technical piste known for steep sections, major changes in gradient and challenging terrain. Used for World Cup racing, it is one of the most demanding runs in Crans-Montana and best suited to experienced skiers.
BEST FOR Advanced Skiers
Kandahar ski run in Crans-Montana
03
03
Advanced

Kandahar

4.0 km
Kandahar is one of the longest and most challenging descents in Crans-Montana. The run combines sustained skiing with varied terrain and demanding sections, making it a rewarding choice for experienced skiers looking for a longer descent.
BEST FOR Advanced Skiers
Merbé ski run in Crans-Montana
04
04
Intermediate

Merbé

Merbé offers a more accessible descent through the central part of Crans-Montana. Its varied terrain and scenic setting make it a good choice for intermediate skiers who want to explore the area while enjoying a relaxed Alpine descent.
BEST FOR Intermediate Skiers
EXPLORE THE MOUNTAIN

Ski Areas & Zones in Crans-Montana

01

Crans – Cry d’Er

780 m
The Crans–Cry d’Er sector is one of the central areas of Crans-Montana, offering a broad mix of pistes for intermediate and advanced skiers. Cry d’Er at 2,256 metres provides panoramic views and access to several important runs across the ski area.
BEST FOR Intermediate & Advanced Skiers
02

Barzettes – Violettes

714 m
Barzettes–Violettes provides access to higher terrain and is an important gateway to the upper part of Crans-Montana. From Violettes, skiers can continue towards the Plaine Morte glacier and enjoy a selection of varied pistes.
BEST FOR Intermediate & Advanced Skiers
03

Plaine Morte Glacier

The Plaine Morte glacier is the highest ski area in Crans-Montana at 2,927 metres. The high-altitude setting offers exceptional Alpine scenery and reliable winter conditions, with access via the Funitel from Violettes.
BEST FOR Advanced Skiers
04

Aminona – Petit Mont Bonvin

897 m
The Aminona–Petit Mont Bonvin sector extends the ski area towards the eastern side of Crans-Montana. It combines quieter slopes, varied terrain and access to higher mountain areas around Petit Mont Bonvin.
BEST FOR Intermediate & Advanced Skiers
FIND YOUR PERFECT EXPERIENCE

More Ways to Enjoy Crans-Montana

Whether you are travelling with children, looking for easier terrain or searching for freeride and snowboard opportunities, Crans-Montana offers a wide range of winter experiences.

01

Family & Kids

Crans-Montana is an excellent destination for families, with dedicated beginner areas, children's ski facilities and a wide choice of family-friendly activities. Snow Island and the Snow Garden at Arnouva provide gentle terrain for young children and first-time skiers, while ski schools offer lessons for children of different ages and abilities.

✓ Dedicated kids' area
✓ Beginner-friendly area
✓ Childcare available
03

Snowboarding

Crans-Montana offers freeride opportunities for experienced skiers, particularly in the higher mountain terrain around the Plaine Morte and the upper ski area. The resort also has ski schools offering guided freeride instruction, making it possible to explore off-piste terrain with professional guidance.

Snowboard-friendly
PLAN YOUR SKI TRIP

Ski Season & Snow Conditions in Crans-Montana

Check the ski season, current snow conditions and mountain information for Crans-Montana. Use the latest resort information to plan your day on the slopes.

SKI SEASON

Ski season information

The 2026/27 ski season in Crans-Montana is scheduled to run from 19 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, with the full ski area planned to open from 19 December. A partial opening is scheduled from 28 November 2026, subject to snow conditions. The high-altitude terrain around Plaine Morte can provide good winter conditions later into the season.

PLAN YOUR SKI DAY

Buy Your Crans-Montana Ski Pass

Get your ski pass for Crans-Montana online and get ready for your day on the slopes.

Prefer the ski resort's own website?
Official Ski Pass Website
Prices and availability are provided by the respective booking provider.
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY

How to Get to Crans-Montana

Crans-Montana is easy to reach from across Switzerland and Europe. The main rail connection is via Sierre/Siders, from where you can continue to the resort by the direct funicular or regional bus. Crans-Montana can also be reached by car from the A9 motorway via Sierre.

01

Arriving by Train

Travel by train to Sierre/Siders, which is connected to major Swiss cities including Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lausanne and Geneva. From Sierre railway station, the Crans-Montana funicular takes around 13 minutes directly to the resort. Regional buses are also available.

Plan Your Train Journey
02

Arriving by Car

Crans-Montana is easily accessible by car via the A9 motorway to Sierre, followed by the mountain road to the resort. The journey from Sierre to Crans-Montana is around 15 km. Several access roads lead to the resort, with official parking available near the main ski lift areas. During winter, drivers should follow local road signs and check parking availability before arrival.

03

Parking

Several official car parks are available in Crans-Montana, including Cry d’Er, Chetseron, Grand Signal, Violettes, Barzettes and Aminona. For skiing, the Cry d’Er and Violettes areas provide convenient access to the slopes. Parking is limited, so using public transport is recommended on busy days.

Parking Information
04

Getting to the Ski Area

From the main parking areas, skiers can reach the slopes directly or use the local shuttle network. The main ski-area access points include Crans-Cry d’Er, Montana-Arnouva and Violettes Express. Free local shuttle buses connect different parts of the resort, making it easy to reach the lifts without moving your car.

PLAN YOUR MOUNTAIN ESCAPE

Crans-Montana Ski Resort FAQs

Find answers to common questions about Crans-Montana, including skiing, access, facilities and planning your visit.

FAQ

Good to know
before you go.

Find helpful information to plan your ski trip to Crans-Montana with confidence.

YOUR ALPINE GUIDE
01 How many kilometres of ski slopes does Crans-Montana have?

Crans-Montana offers around 140 kilometres of marked ski slopes, ranging from 1,500 metres to 3,000 metres. The ski area includes pistes for beginners, intermediate skiers and advanced riders.

02 What is the highest point of the Crans-Montana ski area?

The highest point of the Crans-Montana ski area is the Plaine Morte glacier at around 3,000 metres above sea level. The high-altitude terrain offers impressive views across the Valais Alps.

03 Is Crans-Montana suitable for beginners?

Yes. Crans-Montana offers slopes for all ability levels, including beginner areas and dedicated facilities for children. The resort combines easier pistes with more challenging terrain for experienced skiers.

04 How do you get to Crans-Montana by train?

Travel by train to Sierre/Siders, which is connected to major Swiss cities. From Sierre railway station, the funicular reaches Crans-Montana in around 13 minutes.

05 How many ski lifts are there in Crans-Montana?

Crans-Montana has around 24 ski lifts serving the ski area between 1,500 and 3,000 metres. The lifts provide convenient access to the resort's different skiing sectors.

06 Is Crans-Montana good for families?

Does Crans-Montana have a snowpark?

07 Does Crans-Montana have a snowpark?

Yes. Crans-Montana has freestyle facilities and a snowpark with features for different levels of skiers and snowboarders. It is a popular choice for visitors looking to add freestyle skiing or snowboarding to their trip.

08 Is Crans-Montana good for skiing and snowboarding?

Crans-Montana is suitable for both skiing and snowboarding, with around 140 kilometres of pistes, varied terrain and slopes for different ability levels. The ski area also offers high-altitude terrain, freestyle facilities and winter activities beyond downhill skiing.