Crans Montana (Winter)

Crans and Montana are two adjacent resort towns in the mountains of the French-speaking Lower Valais. Relatively unknown to American tourists, Crans-Montana sees mostly European guests. In contrast to nearby party town Verbier, this place has a laid-back feel. It's a favorite destination of upscale travelers, with one 5-star and two 4-star hotels, all of which feature wonderful spas. There are also several moderately-priced 3-star hotels, and a couple of budget lodgings catering to the snowboard crowd. There’s great dining to be had: this is the heart of fondue country, and Switzerland’s largest wine region is just down in the valley. Winter ...

Crans and Montana are two adjacent resort towns in the mountains of the French-speaking Lower Valais. Relatively unknown to American tourists, Crans-Montana sees mostly European guests. In contrast to nearby party town Verbier, this place has a laid-back feel. It's a favorite destination of upscale travelers, with one 5-star and two 4-star hotels, all of which feature wonderful spas. There are also several moderately-priced 3-star hotels, and a couple of budget lodgings catering to the snowboard crowd. There’s great dining to be had: this is the heart of fondue country, and Switzerland’s largest wine region is just down in the valley. Winter sports opportunities are extensive, with 28 lifts and 87 miles of slopes, as well as a cross-country track and a sled run. In winter, there is nothing going on here but winter sports, wine and wonderful dining. This is a modern resort, with a distinct lack of quaint architecture. If you want a storybook village, visit St. Moritz or Zermatt instead.

About the Expert

Charlie Morris is the author of the Open Road guidebooks Best of Honduras, Best of Costa Rica, Best of Belize, and Switzerland Guide.