
Crans Montana is a sun-blessed Swiss resort on a high plateau in Valais, prized for south-facing slopes, the Plaine Morte glacier and refined alpine living. Renting a luxury chalet here pairs ski-in convenience and panoramic views with private pools, wellness and dedicated concierge service.
- South-facing slopes from roughly 1,500 to 3,000 metres with reliable sunshine
- Plaine Morte glacier offering high-altitude and summer skiing
- Designer boutiques, fine dining and serene day spas in the resort centre
- World-class events including Alpine Ski World Cup and Longines show jumping
- A curated collection of luxury chalets and villas with concierge service
Crans Montana in pictures
Events not to miss in Crans Montana
- February
FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, Crans-Montana
The women's World Cup speed races descend the Mont Lachaux piste with the Valais peaks as a backdrop. The resort buzzes for the weekend, so plan a chalet stay around the racing.
- April
Caprices Festival
One of Europe's most distinctive electronic music festivals, with daytime stages at altitude above the snowline. It pairs spring skiing with world-class DJs, a combination unique to Crans-Montana.
- Late August to early September
Omega European Masters
The European Tour's alpine classic is played on the Severiano Ballesteros course at Crans-sur-Sierre, often called golf's most beautiful setting. Villas near the course put you steps from the fairways.
- Year-round concert seasons
Crans-Montana Classics
A respected classical music series brings international soloists and orchestras to the plateau across the year. Check the programme with your concierge, as concerts sell to a loyal local audience.
Crans Montana through the seasons
- Winter (December – April)
Sunny-side skiing above the Rhône
South-facing pistes rise to the Plaine Morte glacier at 3,000 metres, with some of the Alps' most reliable sunshine and views across to the Matterhorn chain. Chalets here suit families who want gentle slopes and long lunches.
- Spring (April – June)
Caprices beats and melting snowlines
April mixes spring snow with the Caprices Festival, then the plateau turns green and the walking begins. A quiet, good-value window for a villa with a view.
- Summer (June – August)
Championship golf and high trails
The famous golf course, five lakes to swim or stroll around, and hundreds of kilometres of marked trails make this the Valais' great summer plateau. Days are alpine-fresh while the Rhône valley below bakes.
- Autumn (September – November)
Vineyards and vendange in the Valais
Switzerland's largest wine region carpets the slopes below the resort, and the harvest brings tastings of Petite Arvine and Cornalin. Golden larch walks above, cellar visits below: a fine shoulder-season formula.
The Area
Crans Montana sits on a wide, sun-drenched plateau high above the Rhône valley in the Valais, blending cosmopolitan resort life with an unmistakably alpine setting. Spread across a south-facing balcony between roughly 1,500 and 3,000 metres, it earns its reputation for sunshine, with sweeping views across the surrounding peaks. The centre is unhurried and stylish: designer boutiques, individual shops, polished restaurants and a vibrant after-dark scene sit within walking distance of the pistes. Twin villages of Crans and Montana flow into one another, joined by promenades and mountain lakes. It is a place that rewards both energetic skiers and those content to stroll, shop and take in the panorama at leisure.
Where to Stay
A luxury chalet in Crans Montana places you within reach of the lifts while keeping the privacy and space that hotels rarely match. Properties cluster across the connected villages of Crans and Montana, many positioned for ski access, sunset views or proximity to the boutiques and restaurants of the central promenades. Our curated collection ranges from contemporary alpine residences with floor-to-ceiling glass to traditional timber chalets with stone fireplaces. Expect private pools, spas, cinema rooms and generous living spaces designed for families and groups. Smiling House concierge can arrange private chefs, ski instructors, transfers and in-chalet wellness, so every detail is settled before you arrive.
Things to Do
Skiing anchors the winter, with varied pistes for every ability, a snow park for boarders and miles of cross-country and winter hiking trails. The high Plaine Morte glacier extends the season and even allows summer skiing. Beyond the slopes, the plateau is laced with walking routes that come alive in spring and summer with wildflowers and wildlife. Golfers play the celebrated high-altitude course, while mountain lakes invite gentle days outdoors. World-class events punctuate the calendar, from the Alpine Ski World Cup to Longines show jumping and the lakeside Caprices festival. Afterwards, the resort's luxury day spas offer indoor and outdoor pools, hammams and treatment rooms to restore tired legs.
Dining and Nightlife
Crans Montana serves creative Swiss-French cuisine across settings that range from atmospheric mountain huts to award-winning fine dining rooms, almost always with a view. Skilled chefs work with first-rate seasonal ingredients, and extensive wine lists lean on the Valais's own vineyards. By night the resort is sociable rather than frenetic: relaxed bars along the Rue Centrale fill after the slopes close, with livelier clubs and discos finding their stride well after midnight. With a private chef arranged through concierge, you can equally choose to dine in, letting the kitchen come to your chalet while the mountains glow outside.
When to Visit
Thanks to predominantly south-facing slopes, the prime skiing window falls earlier in the season, with January and February offering excellent sun and snow. Snow holds well at altitude, and artificial snowmaking on around a third of the runs secures coverage when natural falls are sparse. Spring brings longer, warmer days and quieter slopes, while summer transforms the plateau into a green playground of hiking, golf and lakeside leisure beneath alpine skies. The glacier keeps high-altitude skiing possible into the warmer months. Whichever season you choose, a luxury chalet provides a serene base with space, privacy and full concierge support.
Getting There
Crans Montana is reached most easily via Geneva Airport, around two and a half hours away by road, with Zurich and Milan also within practical driving distance. Regional flights serve nearby Sion. By rail, travel to Sierre in the Rhône valley, then ascend by the historic funicular or by road to the plateau. Smiling House concierge can arrange private transfers, chauffeured cars or helicopter shuttles directly to your chalet, removing the logistics from your arrival. Once in the resort, the connected villages are compact and walkable, with ski lifts, boutiques and restaurants close at hand.





