Crans-Montana 2025-26 Winter Tip Sheet
Images linked HERE.
Crans-Montana pairs high-alpine terrain and long, sun-soaked runs with an elevated resort village and prestigious, world-class events. From the Plaine Morte glacier at 3,000 meters down to the resort, the area offers approximately 140 km of prepared pistes served by 24 modern lifts, long verticals and a mix of beginner, intermediate and expert terrain. This season also brings targeted investments in snowmaking and slope quality to enhance the guest experience across the mountain. Crans-Montana’s southern exposure and one-of-a-kind view brings a unique brightness to skiing in the Swiss Alps.
FIRST TRACKS: THE MOUNTAIN AT ITS PUREST
Imagine carving untouched corduroy as the Valais Alps glow with first light. Every Sunday, a limited number of guests join expert instructors for pre-opening groomed runs, experiencing the mountain in total tranquility. The morning concludes with a mountain breakfast at Cry d’Er, where panoramic views meet the day’s earliest rays. First Tracks is an intimate, sunrise-only experience for those who believe the best part of the day begins at dawn.
SKI BY NIGHT: WHERE THE MOUNTAIN COMES ALIVE AFTER DARK
When the sun sets, Crans-Montana transforms. Begin with a torchlight descent from Cry d’Er to Arnouva, guided by the resort’s expert ski instructors. Then continue skiing on the beautifully illuminated Verdets slope, discovering the mountain in a whole new light. Finish the evening with a delicious fondue at Arnouva. Perfect for friends and families, Ski By Night turns an ordinary evening into a vibrant, exhilarating and unforgettable winter experience.
SUNRISE AT 3,000 M: AWAKEN ABOVE THE CLOUDS
Experience the summit of Plaine Morte at first light and watch the Alps unfold in complete stillness. Sunrise at 3,000 m combines dramatic high-alpine vistas with a hearty mountain breakfast in a cozy setting. More than an early start, it’s a moment of serenity and pure connection with the mountains.
NEW THIS SEASON: VERDETS AREA UPGRADES & SNOWMAKING
Crans-Montana is elevating slope quality with targeted investments in infrastructure in the Verdets area and the slopes below Pas du Loup (Chemin des Jeep). New, energy-efficient snow guns and reinforced snow-cannon chambers increase snow production and consistency across key runs, delivering smoother groomers, better early-season coverage and more reliable conditions well into spring. This state-of-the-art upgrade ensures even, high-quality snow across the slopes. Additional snowmaking enhancements are planned as part of ongoing investment in the guest experience.
MAJOR RACES & CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS: THE ROAD TO 2027
- FIS European Cup (Men) — January 13–14, 2026
Two slalom races on the legendary Mont Lachaux slope give rising stars a chance to shine on a technical, storied course. Athletes will compete on a track that hasn’t been raced by men since 2014, offering an exciting preview of the 2027 FIS Alpine World Championships.
- Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup — January 30 – February 1, 2026
A three-day World Cup weekend featuring women’s downhill and super-G on Mont Lachaux (Fri–Sat), followed by the men’s downhill on the Nationale (Sun). All races finish in the shared Barzettes arena, complete with a central fan zone and official ceremonies in the resort. A thrilling prelude to the 2027 World Championships.
- Grand Prix Final (Youth Grand Prix) — March 26–29, 2026
The finale of the world’s largest youth ski competition, where thousands of young athletes aged 8–16 gather for multiple days of racing, activity and alpine adventure.
Together, these events make the 2025/26 season a key milestone on the road to the 2027 FIS Alpine World Championships in Crans-Montana.
SLOPE QUALITY, SNOW RELIABILITY & GASTRONOMY: INVESTMENT BACKED BY STRATEGY
Since joining the Vail Resorts portfolio in May 2024, Crans-Montana has continued to benefit from a multi-year investment plan focused on slope quality, gastronomy and infrastructure. This includes improvements to snowmaking systems and on-mountain operations, as well as the reopening of several storied mountain restaurants. This season, Crans-Montana has added 22 new, stat-of-the-art snow guns and will be reopening restaurant Signal 2.0.
RESORT AMENITIES & OFF-SLOPE OFFERINGS: WELLNESS, SHOPPING & CULTURE
Crans-Montana is more than pistes, it’s a full, elevated alpine lifestyle destination. Highlights include:
- World-class spas & wellness: Luxury hotels and standalone wellness centers offer extensive treatment menus, indoor–outdoor pools, saunas and alpine-focused programs.
- Retail & gastronomy: A vibrant village with numerous boutiques, artisan shops and roughly 90 restaurants and eateries, ranging from casual to fine dining, including renowned wine experiences.
- Family & outdoor activities: Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledging, dog sledding, and indoor/outdoor sports centers provide options for all ages.
- Seasonal programming: Lantern Path light walks, Christmas Village markets and culinary events add festive, cultural appeal throughout the season.
ACCESSIBILITY: EASY FOR INTERNATIONAL GUESTS
- Airports: Geneva, Zurich and Milan serve as the primary international gateways, offering straightforward transfers to the Valais in as little as two hours.
- Rail & transit: The Sierre/Siders rail station connects to Crans-Montana via a short funicular ride. Efficient transfer options make the resort easily accessible from major European hubs.
EPIC PASS ACCESS
Crans-Montana is now part of the Epic Pass, offering pass holders unlimited, unrestricted access all winter long. Whether traveling from abroad or within Switzerland, the Epic Pass delivers exceptional value and connects guests to more than 90 ski resorts worldwide.
QUICK FACTS
Pistes: Approximately 140 km of prepared runs
Lifts: 24 modern lifts
Elevation: Village at 1,500 m | Plaine Morte summit at 3,000 m