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Crans Montana Resort Reviews

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Visitor reviews for Crans Montana Ski Resort

Crans Montana Ratings

Overall: 3.8. Based on 19 votes and 16 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 3.7

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Crans Montana is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 3.8

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Crans Montana has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 3.6

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.2

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 3.8

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Crans Montana.

Public Transport: 4.3

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Crans Montana, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.1

(1) No places to stay in/near Crans Montana, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 2.9

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 4.3

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Crans Montana.

Ski in/Ski out: 3.7

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 3.6

(1) There are no child care facilities at Crans Montana, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.0

(1) Crans Montana relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 3.9

(1) There are no snow groomers at Crans Montana, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Crans Montana are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.5

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Crans Montana is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.5

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Crans Montana, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 3.3

(1) Crans Montana usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 3.8

(1) The staff at Crans Montana are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Crans Montana are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.7

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.1

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.4

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.0

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.3

(1) No intermediate terrain at Crans Montana, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 3.8

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 3.9

(1) Not even a kicker at Crans Montana, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 4.0

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Crans Montana, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 3.6

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Crans Montana has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.1

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.1

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.7

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 3.5

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 4.0

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 4.2

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 3.3

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 3.3

(1) Overall, Crans Montana is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 3.0

(1) Overall, Crans Montana is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

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February 05, 2016
D H from Ski Luxembourg Luxembourg
Just back from a marvellous week in Crans Montana in the Swiss mountains. I have been there 8 times in 7 years. Previously I was not always satisfied by the conditions on the ski runs but this winter every ski run was perfectly prepared. Some older cable cars have been replaced by new ones, transporting more people in a shorter time. So, even if there may be fewer cable cars than in the past, this is a perfect place for people who like good ski runs and lovely mountain landscapes. (OK, those who are looking for après-ski will be disappointed). I truly hope I will be able to come back next year. DH
January 18, 2016
dave liddle from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We have owned an apartment here for the past 6 years and been coming a few times every year since. My son learned to ski here and is now 12 and very proficient. The resort has everything; great runs, great restaurants and cool bars like Amadeus and Zero Dix. That said the apres-ski and night life is not like some of the Austrian resorts and is much more reserved. The views and a beer at Amadeus overlooking the valley is something to look forward to every year. We enjoy this resort and it is improving each year with new faster lifts and restaurants. There are also no queues like France and most of the other more popular resorts. It is a great place!
January 23, 2015
Mark Betteridge from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Some mixed reviews on this resort. I confess I have not actually been there myself but I am planning to go with my family at the end of February 2015 with Simon Butler Skiing. If any of you skied with Simon in Megeve you will know the high level of his professional standards for everything including accommodation, food and ski tuition. Frankly, he would not chose to offer another option in Crans-Montana if he didn't think it would tick all the boxes for his loyal clientele. I personally can't wait to go but I will post another review on my actual findings when I return.
November 08, 2014
L.Foden from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
The rationalization/reduction continues: This year Aminona cabin disappears and 2 chair lifts are replaced by one. Over the years many cabins and lifts have been closed, sometimes replaced by chair lifts sometimes not. The net is a smaller domain with only 1 tiny north facing lift (out of 3) left: All the rest are south facing and as personnel and snow grooming equipment have also been reduced, openings after snowfalls are delayed by days by which time snow is transformed.
March 05, 2014
Blanchard from Ski France France
I come every year in Crans Montana for more than 20 years. I love this place for many reasons; it has the most beautiful panorama of all alpine resorts, you can enjoy the sun, much more than in Zermatt, for example, which in the shadow most of the time during the winter days. It is not overcrowded, like Verbier or Courchevel; there are many good restaurants and terraces. It is true that the pistes suffer from the south orientation, but in the recent years, artificial snow has been generalized and it is possible to ski during the whole season. A great resort!
January 05, 2014
tim oates from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I write and research professionally and despair at the inaccuracy of crude posts. There were never 220 kms of piste in Crans Montana, this is being confused with the historical figure of 120 kms which was the quantity for the past decade or so, until the new pistes at Toula and this year's new Female World Cup piste were installed. The use of artificial was exemplary in this snow-lean year, and many more snow cannons have been installed. Yet, with due environmental consideration, I'd far rather resorts rely on natural and augment with artificial than over-use artificial. In 2012 and 2013 (good snow years) the skiing was spectacular at Crans Montana, including guided sessions in the off-piste wilderness of the Fauverges, with local guide Bixio Galera. The lifts have been substantially upgraded on a year by year basis, carefully planned and the resort is clearly considered good enough to host a load of international events. Each year we discover more stashes of powder in the interlinking terrain between the pistes, and have no complaints about piste preparation. I spent an evening on the piste machines last year, from 4pm to past 10pm (thanks Jerome) and they do the same high quality job you find in the $ Valleys and the Val D'Anniviers. The idea that the 'small town atmosphere has gone' (another reviewer) could mean a distorted childhood memory, since the place just hasn't changed that much in three decades. There are still the local shops: the fantastic Taillen bakery and teashop, Mabiallard, the tool shop and so on. But now there's a Patagonia and Oakley store, and the great new bar in Montana - Senso. It still has a small town feel and the locals are great. The idea of the traffic being disorganised is tosh, It can be busy for 30-60 minutes at 4.30 when the lifts close and that's it. Ever tried to park in Meribel or Courcheval? That's a genuine challenge compared with Crans Montana. In Crans Montana, just park at Aminona; free parking adjacent to the main lift! So, I've skied in 5 countries, in dozens of resorts. I could ski in the 3 Valleys, in Verbier and where do I choose? Crans Montana. My kids love it there, I get well-groomed pistes over 140km and loads of challenging off-piste, and food on the hill which is cheaper than most of France. And I will be on the plane going straight back there at the end of this week. [note from the editor : text edited slightly to remove the names of other reviewers]
January 01, 2013
Mark Rohner from Ski United States United States
I used to come to CM (Crans Montana) when I was a kid, in the winter, while my mother recovered in one of the clinics. The place has changed a lot (negatively). The small town atmosphere is gone, the traffic is overwhelming and totally disorganized. Parking for one-day skiers is extremely limited, to the point that if you do not stay there you have to get there very early to find a parking spot. The day we came, the fences in both parking structures at the bottom of the lifts were broken. Attendants were trying to fix them while traffic was building up. The free parking structure was full with no sign that said that. It took us an hour to go from Crans to Montana. I would not recommend this place to anybody. That same week we skied in Verbier, Leysin, Les Crosets and Villars. These are much better organized places to ski.
November 07, 2012
claude bereny from Ski Australia Australia
I have skied in Crans Montana since the 1980s and still go there every year. It is true that the resort is very snow sure and there is a heap of untracked if you know where and when to go. The only thing that we noticed last year and a lot of the regulars are talking about is that the lift management has reduced staffing and it takes the resort much longer to open the mountain after a fresh snow fall, than in previous years, particulary when it is a big snowfall. Sometimes you have to wait several days. This never used to be the case and is a big disappointment if you want to get out there into the fresh stuff. It would be great if they recognised this and did something about it, as everyone is aware of it and it is a big negative from a ski tourism perspective. At least they do the right thing and reduce ticket prices when the mountain is not fully open, which never happens in Australia. Go the honest Swissies.
April 13, 2011
Teun from Ski Netherlands Netherlands
We have visited Crans Montana for the last ten years now, and unfortunately the quality of the resort has gone downhill during the last three years. Especially the quality of the pistes, which is really awful compared to neighbouring places like Grimentz, Zinal, Zermatt, Verbier. The fact that pistes are situated on the south side is not a valid excuse, since the artificial snow is simply added too late in the year. Other villages do this better and cost less. Number of pistes have also reduced from 220 kms ten years ago to 140 kms now. Prices have increased each year, and are now way too high for the quality offered.
February 24, 2011
Robert from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
With all runs groomed and avalanche risk at a minimum Crans Montana and Aminona makes for an intermediate skiers paradise, on and off the piste. Restaurants are plentiful on the slopes and the nightlife and entertainment are legendary. Ladies can shop till they drop at the best choice of designer shops in the Alps, leave some spare space in the luggage. A very chic resort with seldom a queue.