Perched on a sunny plateau high above the Rhône Valley, Crans-Montana is one of the most complete winter destinations in Switzerland. With 140 km of ski slopes, iconic Alpine scenery, and a vibrant programme of winter events, the resort blends outdoor adventure with culture and atmosphere—perfect for travellers seeking an inspiring cold-season escape.
If you’re exploring winter destinations across Europe, you might also enjoy our guide to Cortina d’Ampezzo in winter, another iconic alpine resort with world-class skiing and scenery in the Dolomites in Italy. Also check Courmayeur in Winter: Ski, Food & Alpine Charm at Mont Blanc.
Below is a complete guide to winter in Crans-Montana.
Why Visit Crans-Montana in Winter?
Crans-Montana stands out among Alpine destinations thanks to its mix of nature, culture, and sunshine. Here’s what makes it special:
- 300 days of sun: the plateau is known for exceptional winter light and sweeping views across the Alps.
- Diverse slopes: glacier runs, long panoramic pistes, beginner areas and challenging black trails.
- Activities beyond skiing: snowshoeing, winter walking, snow tubing, wellness and family-friendly attractions.
- Easy access: seamless train connections from Geneva and Zurich, followed by a scenic funicular ride.
Crans-Montana is ideal for adventure travellers, outdoor lovers, and anyone seeking a winter experience that goes beyond the typical ski holiday.
Top Winter Events in Crans-Montana (2025/2026)
The Lantern Path 2025–26: A Midwinter Night’s Dream
One of the most atmospheric winter experiences in the Alps returns with a brand-new edition of the The Lantern Path 2025–26 in Crans-Montana.
From 5 December 2025 to 8 March 2026, the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course transforms into a 2 km illuminated trail featuring 179 lanterns, 5 new artistic installations, and more than 13 evenings of events.
This year’s theme, “A Midwinter Night’s Dream,” invites visitors into a dreamlike universe. At nightfall, the path becomes an enchanted forest where light, shadow and nature interact in a poetic dialogue. Each lantern and reflection creates a meditative, magical environment designed to spark imagination in visitors of all ages.
Highlights of the 2025–26 edition:
- Five new artistic light installations, inspired by dreams and the beauty of winter nature.
- Entertainment on the Lantern Path, including live performances and small-scale concerts, mainly on Saturday evenings at the Hameau de Mayens.
- A dedicated Treasure Hunt for children, inviting young explorers to follow clues through the forest in search of hidden lights.
- Food & gourmet moments at the Hameau de Mayens, including:
- Chalet Vin Chaud et Terroir: mulled wine, regional wines, raclette and local delicacies curated by Pascal Cordonier, Vice-World Champion of Raclette.
- Meal in the Mayen: an exclusive group dining experience (8–12 people) in a rustic mountain chalet.
Key figures for 2025–26:
- Dates: 5 December 2025 – 8 March 2026
- Trail length: 2 km
- Lanterns: 179
- Installations: 5
- Events: 13+ evenings
- Artists involved: 34 international creators
The Lantern Path is an unforgettable fusion of art, light and alpine tranquillity—one of Crans-Montana’s signature winter attractions.
FIS World Cup Weekend
From 30 January to 1 February 2026, Crans-Montana hosts a major FIS World Cup weekend with downhill and super-G races.
Mont Lachaux and Piste Nationale welcome athletes from around the world, transforming the resort into a lively hub of sports energy and alpine celebration.
Crans-Montana Christmas Village
From early December until 28 December, Crans-Montana transforms into a festive Alpine wonderland with its Christmas Village—wooden chalets filled with local crafts and seasonal goods, twinkling lights illuminating the pedestrianised zone, live concerts and family-friendly performances.
The heart of the village features ice-sculpting demonstrations, children’s workshops, and a large illuminated tree that heralds the start of winter. With the slopes already open, it’s the ideal time for early-season skiing combined with authentic Christmas atmosphere in the mountains—offering both festive charm and alpine adventure.
Winter Activities Not to Miss
Skiing & Snowboarding
Crans-Montana offers one of the most spectacular ski areas in the Swiss Alps, with 140 km of pistes and 24 modern lifts stretching from the Plaine Morte glacier at 3,000 m down to the resort at 1,500 m. The variety of terrain makes it ideal for all levels, from first-timers to advanced skiers looking for long, challenging descents.
Skiers can enjoy extraordinary panoramas throughout the day: a full ring of Alpine peaks over 4,000 m forms a dramatic backdrop to the slopes. Along the way, 15 sunny mountain terraces invite visitors to pause, relax and enjoy traditional alpine dishes with unforgettable views.
Freestyle enthusiasts will appreciate the Snowpark, offering jumps, rails and creative lines across 100,000 m² of dedicated terrain.
For younger skiers and beginners, Arnouva is the perfect starting point with its new magic carpet lift, snow kindergarten and welcoming restaurant — an ideal environment for building confidence on snow.
A few figures:
- 100,000 m² Snowpark
- 140 km of ski pistes (9% black, 75% red, 12% blue)
- 24 modern ski lifts
- Ski area from 3,000 m (glacier) to 1,500 m (plateau)
- 15 panoramic mountain terraces
Useful links
- Ski & snowboard in Crans-Montana
- Interactive piste map (digital version)
- Piste map (PDF version)
- Ski & snowboard schools
Activities for All Ages at Snow Island
Located on the Severiano Ballesteros golf course, Snow Island is one of the highlights of Crans-Montana’s winter season. It offers a wide range of activities suitable for children, teenagers and adults.
Youngsters can learn to ski on gentle beginner slopes, zoom down snowy hills on sledges or snow tubes, or race on the fun electric snowmobile circuit. More adventurous visitors can try the airbag, the Bungee Trampoline, or take their first steps in boardercross.
Access is easy thanks to magic carpet lifts and ski lifts, allowing families to enjoy the snow without effort.
At the heart of the area, the Maison de Bibi — home to Crans-Montana’s friendly mascot — offers supervised play spaces, craft activities, games, and a cosy reading corner. This welcoming cabin adds creativity, warmth and imagination to the experience and is especially popular with younger visitors.
The Little Extra for Families
Crans-Montana places special emphasis on family-friendly services:
- Free up to age 9: Children ski for free when accompanied by an adult.
- Step One Pass from CHF 10: Gives access to Snow Island, Arnouva’s snow garden, beginner areas, conveyor belts and the Ycoor ice rink — perfect for discovering winter sports gently and affordably.
Snowshoeing & Winter Hiking
Crans-Montana maintains several scenic winter trails through forests, frozen lakes and sweeping viewpoints—perfect for travellers who enjoy exploring the mountains at a slower pace.
Ski Touring
Crans-Montana is a true paradise for ski touring, with vast open spaces and spectacular high-altitude views. Thanks to its favourable climate and diverse terrain, the resort offers ideal conditions for both beginner ski-tourers and experienced athletes.
The Ski Rando Parc features 16 secured and fully signposted routes, totalling 40 km and a combined 5,500 metres of elevation. These routes are designed to suit all levels, including accessible options for children and families.
The resort also provides excellent infrastructure for ski touring:
- 4 convenient departure points within the resort
- On-site equipment rental
- Free maps to help you plan your ascent
- Routes developed in collaboration with Séverine Pont Combe, ski-mountaineering champion
This unique network offers one of the most extensive and well-organised ski touring experiences in Switzerland, perfect for those seeking adventure beyond the pistes.
A few figures:
- 4 departure points
- 40 km of secured touring routes
- 16 routes for all levels
- Designed with Séverine Pont Combe
Useful links:
- Ski touring routes (digital version)
- Map of ski touring routes (PDF version)
- Mountain restaurants
- Equipment rental
Extraordinary Cross-Country Ski Trails
Crans-Montana is also an outstanding destination for cross-country skiing, offering exceptional conditions for both classic and skating techniques. The resort features nearly 16 km of groomed trails across varied landscapes including the snow-covered golf course, the Moubra forest, and the Briesses area.
For those seeking a truly unforgettable experience, a magnificent 4 km trail at 3,000 metres on the Plaine Morte glacier provides incredible views over some of the most iconic peaks in the Alps. Skiers glide through a pristine high-altitude environment unlike anything else in Switzerland.
A few figures:
- ~6 km on the Severiano Ballesteros golf course
- ~4 km around Lake Moubra
- ~4 km in the Briesses forest
- ~4 km on the Plaine Morte glacier
- 20 km total cross-country slopes, including 16 km in the resort itself
Useful links
- Cross country skiing routes (digital version)
- Map of cross-country ski routes (PDF version)
- Cross-country skiing in the resort
- Cross-country skiing on the glacier
Winter Walks as Far as the Eye Can See
For travellers who love nature, crisp air and snowy landscapes, Crans-Montana offers an impressive network of signposted winter walking trails. These routes showcase the best of the region’s scenery — from snow-covered pine forests to sweeping views over the Rhône Valley and the highest Alpine peaks.
Whether it’s a short scenic walk near the resort or a longer excursion deeper into the mountains, on foot or with snowshoes, there are options for all levels. These trails are ideal for those seeking tranquillity, photography opportunities and a slower-paced winter experience.
A few figures:
- 47.5 km of winter hiking and snowshoe trails
- 9 signposted routes
- Panoramic views of 18 peaks over 4,000 m
Useful links:
- Hiking/snowshoe routes (digital version)
- Winter hiking map (PDF version)
- Ski lifts Crans-Montana Aminona
- Mountain restaurants
A Huge Ice Centre: Ycoor Ice Rink & Curling Hall
Crans-Montana is home to one of the largest outdoor ice surfaces in Switzerland. The Ycoor Ice Centre, located in the heart of the resort, features a vast 2,640 m² outdoor ice rink open to the public throughout winter. It regularly hosts ice shows, ice hockey matches, themed nights and the popular “ice disco”.
Alongside the main rink, the complex includes a modern indoor curling hall with three curling rinks, spacious changing rooms and a cosy café overlooking the ice. This vibrant sports hub is a perfect alternative to skiing and adds a dynamic, social dimension to winter days in Crans-Montana.
Key Figures:
- 2,640 m² outdoor ice rink
- 3 indoor curling rinks
Useful links:
Après-Ski
Crans-Montana is known for its lively and varied après-ski scene, offering visitors the perfect way to end a day on the slopes.
Whether it’s enjoying an aperitif with music at Zerodix, ideally located at the gondola departure point, or taking in exceptional panoramic views at Cry d’Er Club d’Altitude at 2,220 metres, après-ski in Crans-Montana always delivers atmosphere, energy and fun.
Several bars allow guests to simply leave their skis at the door and dive straight into a promising evening. And because the night has many different faces, the options continue well beyond sunset: jazzy piano bars, cosy wine bars and clubs ready to welcome those who want to dance until late.
This wide range of venues makes Crans-Montana one of the most versatile après-ski destinations in the Alps.
Key figures:
- 3 après-ski bars directly by the pistes
- 130 restaurants and bars for food and drinks
- 10 bars for late-night evenings
Useful links
Where to Stay in Crans-Montana
Luxury & Boutique Hotels
- Six Senses Crans-Montana – High-end alpine design, spa facilities, ski-in access and exceptional views.
- Hostellerie du Pas de l’Ours – Relais & Châteaux boutique chalet hotel with a charming atmosphere and excellent wellness.
- Crans Ambassador – Modern style and a panoramic terrace overlooking the Rhône Valley.
Mid-Range Hotels & Lodges
- Hotel Etrier – Traditional alpine ambience with a good wellness area.
- Hotel La Prairie – Comfortable and well-located hotel close to both the centre and ski lifts.
- Arenas Resort Valaisia – Good value, with spa facilities and easy access to the gondola.
Apartments & Long-Stay Options
Crans-Montana is well suited for longer stays. Many serviced apartments and chalet rentals offer:
- kitchen facilities
- work-friendly spaces
- proximity to lifts and trails
- comfortable home-style living
Click here to find apartments in Crans Montana.
Practical Tips for Visiting
Best time to visit:
- Early December for the Christmas Village and festive atmosphere
- January–February for the most reliable snow and crisp winter conditions
- March for longer days and plenty of sunshine
How to get there:
Crans-Montana is very well connected by public transport and is often easier to reach without a car.
- From Geneva Airport (GVA):
Take a direct train from the airport to Sierre/Siders (around 2 hours). From there, the Crans-Montana funicular brings you to the resort in about 12 minutes. - From Zurich Airport (ZRH):
Trains run from the airport to Sierre/Siders with one or two changes (around 2.5–3 hours). Connect to the funicular for the final ascent. - From Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP):
Travel via Brig or Domodossola, then take a train to Sierre/Siders followed by the funicular (total journey around 3–3.5 hours).
Travelling by train is highly recommended in winter: it’s comfortable, avoids mountain driving, and offers spectacular views of the Rhône Valley.
If driving:
The resort is accessible via the A9 motorway, exiting at Sierre-Ouest, then following the mountain road up to Crans-Montana (around 20 minutes). Snow tyres are mandatory in winter, and chains are advisable after heavy snowfall.
What to pack:
- Dress in layers, as temperatures can vary between the resort and high-altitude areas.
- Bring warm, waterproof footwear—essential for evening walks, the Lantern Path and snow activities.
- Don’t forget sun cream and sunglasses: Crans-Montana is famous for its sunshine even in winter.
Final Thoughts
Crans-Montana is a winter destination that balances adventure, culture and atmosphere. From high-altitude skiing to illuminated forest trails and top-tier events, the resort offers an inspiring alpine escape suitable for both short breaks and longer stays.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
