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Most Alpine resorts face north, hoarding every precious snowflake in the shade. Crans-Montana had a different idea. Spread along a south-facing plateau above the Rhône Valley, this resort soaks up sunshine roughly 300 days a year and serves its skiing with a panorama that runs from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. Life in Crans-Montana is made for long, sun-drenched afternoons on a terrace with a local Valaisan wine in hand – did you know that the region is celebrated for its wonderful wine making?

But don’t let the sun-terrace charm detract from the skiing. This is where the world’s first recorded downhill ski race set off from the Plaine Morte glacier in 1911, where the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships electrified the slopes in 1987 (and will again in February 2027). Add Vail Resorts’ arrival, the Epic Pass, and a buzzing ski tourism scene, you’ll find a resort with rich heritage that is leaning right into luxurious, modern hospitality.

We asked Annabel Roest, Client & Development Manager at LeCrans and Crans-Montana resident, to share her insider knowledge of the resort’s most refined corners – from the five-star suites to the Michelin-starred tables and the hidden mountain restaurants you won’t find in a guidebook.

Crans or Montana: where to stay in Crans-Montana

First-time visitors are often puzzled by the name. Here’s the simple answer: Crans and Montana are two historic centres that merged into one continuous resort long ago.

Crans – the western half – is the chic side: designer boutiques along the Rue du Prado, the famous golf course (home of the European Masters in summer), and the smartest hotels. It sits closest to the Crans–Cry d’Er gondola.

Montana – the eastern half – has a slightly more down-to-earth character with deeper wellness heritage. It’s home to the Signal gondola base and the funicular arrival from Sierre. If you’re arriving by train, Montana is where you’ll step out.

A third base, Aminona, sits quietly to the east at the foot of the Violettes sector – worth knowing but rarely the first choice for luxury visitors.

The honest answer to "which one should I choose?" Crans for shopping and proximity to the upmarket hotels; Montana for convenience and the funicular connection. Both share the same sunny plateau, the same lifts and the same views.

Where to stay: luxury hotels in Crans-Montana

Crans-Montana’s luxury hotel scene has deepened remarkably in recent years. For a resort of its size, the concentration of five-star properties is extraordinary.

LeCrans Hotel & Spa. A member of the Leading Hotels of The World and Swiss Deluxe Hotel Group, LeCrans is set into the hillside above Montana with floor-to-ceiling Alpine views. Le Crans is home to the Michelin-starred LeMontBlanc restaurant (more on that below) and a spa that makes the most of its elevated position. The hotel has a warmth and personality that larger properties sometimes lose – it feels like a private mountain chalet rather than a corporate flagship.

Six Senses Crans-Montana. The statement hotel, opened in 2023 beside the Cry d’Er lifts. Ski-in, ski-out access, a vast spa with a signature Six Senses approach to wellbeing, and a rooftop bar with views across the plateau. This is the clearest signal of Crans-Montana’s current ascent – and the property most likely to set the tone for visitors who already know the brand from Ibiza, Douro Valley or Laamu.

Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences. Guarda is also a member of the Leading Hotels of The World and Swiss Deluxe Hotel Group. This beautiful hotel is perched on the golf course with consistently top-rated service. Spacious suites, an excellent spa and an atmosphere of quiet luxury.

Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours. A Relais & Châteaux chalet property home to Franck Reynaud’s Michelin-starred L’Ours restaurant. Stone, wood and deep comfort – the classic luxury-chalet experience done with real refinement.

Aïda Hôtel & Spa. Adults-only, also Relais & Châteaux – the ideal choice for couples seeking quiet elegance without the family bustle. The spa is intimate and well regarded.

Crans Ambassador. A panoramic spa hotel set above Montana with sweeping views. It sits in the strong mid-luxury bracket – an excellent base for those who want five-star services without the highest price point.

The best restaurants in Crans-Montana: Michelin starred dining

Crans-Montana punches well above its weight at the table. Two Michelin-starred restaurants, a converted cable-car station turned destination kitchen, and an SAC mountain hut with a starred chef behind the stove – this is serious food in extraordinary settings.

LeMontBlanc at LeCrans. One Michelin star. Modern French cuisine served with a 180-degree Alpine panorama through floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu draws on local Valaisan produce with a light, contemporary touch – the kind of restaurant where you lose track of time between courses, not because of slow service but because the view keeps pulling your gaze.

L’Ours at Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours. One Michelin star. Chef Franck Reynaud’s flagship – inventive, ingredient-driven cooking in a handsome chalet setting. The wine cellar here is one of the deepest in the Valais.

Chetzeron. Not starred, but it doesn’t need to be. Creative Alpine cooking at 2,112 metres in a dining room that was once a cable-car station – walls of glass, snow on three sides, and a kitchen that takes mountain food seriously. The lunch here, whether you ski up or ride the snowcat, is one of the great Alpine meals. Book ahead.

Cabane des Violettes. An authentic Swiss Alpine Club hut at 2,209 metres – the real thing, with dormitory bunks upstairs and Franck Reynaud (the same Michelin-starred chef from L’Ours) overseeing the kitchen. Rustic setting, serious food, and the kind of place you remember for years. Reachable by ski or snowshoe.

The 2027 World Ski Championships

From 1 to 14 February 2027, the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships return to Crans-Montana’s Piste Nationale and Mont Lachaux slopes – forty years after the resort’s legendary 1987 edition. Over 100,000 spectators are expected, and tickets have been on sale since February 2026 via cransmontana2027.ch.

An important detail for visitors: the vast majority of the resort’s 140 km of pistes remain open to the public during the event. This is not a fortnight to avoid – it’s a fortnight to target. The atmosphere will be extraordinary, and the skiing elsewhere in the resort continues as normal.

If you’re planning to visit during the Championships, book accommodation now. The luxury properties will fill up months ahead.

What to wear in Crans-Montana

Crans-Montana’s south-facing aspect sets a clear dress code. On the plateau, the sun is generous – sunglasses are worn just as often as goggles, and lighter layers work beautifully on the long, sunny reds. But take the gondola up to the Plaine Morte glacier at 3,000 metres and the temperature drops sharply. You’ll want a glacier-grade outfit – windproof outer layers, insulating mid-layers and warm gloves.

The luxury hotels and restaurants set a certain standard, too. What you wear on the mountain matters a little more here than it does in a no-frills resort. Performance and style are equally valued here – which can be interpreted your own aesthetic:

• Luxury resortwear featuring sculpted silhouettes and a tailored look, try brands like Halfdays and Rudsak
• For a premium skiwear with a freeride feel, try upmarket brands like Houdini and Fjällräven

Can you rent ski clothes in Crans-Montana?

Yes — you can rent ski clothes in Crans-Montana online with Cirkel Supply and we deliver your outfit to your hotel before you arrive. Book at least 3 days ahead, and earlier for the February 2027 World Championships fortnight.

Rent ski clothes online, delivered to your hotel in Crans-Montana

Need a chic outfit to hit the slopes in Crans-Montana? Rent your favourite ski outfit with Cirkel Supply before you travel and it will be ready and waiting at your hotel when you arrive.

We deliver to all hotels in Crans-Montana, including LeCrans, Six Senses, Guarda Golf and hotels throughout the resort. We offer ski jackets, ski pants, ski suits, midlayers and gloves to hire for men, women and children, from brands including Patagonia, Fjällräven, Ortovox, Halfdays, Hestra, Rudsak, Houdini and WHITESPACE.

Whatever the look, you can rent it. You can hire ski clothes in Crans-Montana with Cirkel Supply’s skiwear rental service – just remember that outfits book up quickly for peak season, and it’s essential to book your rental at least 3 days in advance.

The best ski schools in Crans-Montana

Annabel and the LeCrans team work with the following ski schools – each fulfilling their own niche:

Swiss Mountain Sports. Excel with personalised private lessons with experienced instructors.

Ecole Suisse de Ski Crans. This is the national ski school and have comprehensive programs for children’s ski camps throughout the winter season.

Ultimate Ski School. The most upmarket provider that focuses on a real luxury experience across the whole ski day – from their impressive level of service, to your lunch plans.

Getting to Crans-Montana

By train and funicular. Take the SBB to Sierre (direct or one change from Geneva Airport, around 2.5 hours total), then the SMC funicular climbs to the resort plateau in approximately 12 minutes – a genuinely car-free, effortless arrival. The funicular deposits you in Montana, with buses connecting all lift bases.

By car. Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours from Geneva, around 3 hours from Zurich. The resort is road-accessible, with parking and shuttle buses linking Crans, Montana and the lifts. For those preferring the convenience of a transfer, Alps2Alps are a great choice.

In resort. Free buses connect the three lift bases (Crans, Montana/Signal and Barzettes/Violettes) regularly. No car is needed once you’re on the plateau.

Where to ski in Crans-Montana

Now that the logistics are arranged, we can focus on the main course - skiing! Crans-Montana’s 140 km of pistes are spread across a wide, sunny plateau with views that never let you forget where you are.

For confident intermediates, this is the sweet spot. Long, beautifully groomed reds run across the whole resort, with the descent from the Plaine Morte glacier and the La Toula sector offering altitude and variety.

For advanced skiers, the Piste Nationale – the World Championship downhill course – is the marquee test, with a demanding gradient and World Cup pedigree. Above it all, the Plaine Morte glacier at 3,000 metres opens up off-piste options and glacier skiing.

For beginners, the Snow Island learning zone on the golf course is flat and sunny – unusually convenient, requiring no lift ride to reach. The wide blues above Crans and towards Cry d’Er make ideal second-week terrain.

For non-skiers – the resort offers Michelin restaurants, luxury spas, shopping on the Rue du Prado, winter walks, or even snowshoeing from your LeCrans hotel room through the surrounding forest.

Thank you to Annabel Roest for your insider tips. We hope our readers found our luxury guide useful – have a wonderful stay in Crans-Montana!