Crans Montana is both a -very beautiful- ski resort and a small mountain town where the pure air and the sun - which shines 300 days a year - attract skiers from all over the world.
Skiing in Switzerland has a price, and this is even more evident in the chic resort of Valais.
But there is still a taste of the exceptional to have lunch on the slopes facing such a spectacle: Matterhorn, Dent-Blanche, Dent d'Hérens, Weisshorn, Grand-Combin, Mont-Blanc... Here are our best addresses once you have you will have taken off your skis.
To discover
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Where to sleep in Crans Montana?
The new hotel for 2024: the Six Senses Crans-Montana.
Bruno Mazodier
Six Senses Crans-Montana
(00 41 58 806 20 20; Sixsenses.com
)
.
This is the opening that the entire resort has been waiting for: the arrival of the Six Senses at the foot of the slopes, opposite the departure of the Cry d'Er cable cars.
The hotel group deploys a ski-in/ski-out lifestyle with serenity as its trademark.
A bar, a roof terrace, two restaurants (including the seductive Byakko, with flavors of the Japanese Alps), a 2000 m2 spa, an indoor swimming pool... And 78 rooms and suites overlooking the slopes, from where you can hear squeal the skis.
The final call of the mountain.
From €750 per night with breakfast.
Hôtellerie du Pas de l’Ours
(00 41 27 485 93 33; Pasdelours.ch
)
.
With its woodwork and period paintings, the more than a century-old facade of this 5-star chalet is a rarity in the modern landscape of the resort.
Owned by the Bestenheider hotel family, this address, which plays the confidential card, is appreciated for its suites, luxurious nests with mezzanines, fireplaces and whirlpool baths.
From €390, with breakfast.
Aïda Hôtel &
Spa
(00 41 27 485 41 11; Aidahotelspa.ch
)
.
Wooded ambiances, an atypical stone spa and attentive service make up the great charm of this Relais & Châteaux located in the heart of the resort.
The hotel recently completed an ambitious renovation, begun seven years ago: in the 18 rooms and suites, all facing south, the pure wood cladding allows the hypnotic view of the Alps to express itself.
To be at the forefront of the lights on the ridges.
From €390, with breakfast.
The best restaurants in Crans Montana
The Bear.
Bruno Mazodier
L’Ours
(00 41 27 485 93 33; Pasdelours.ch
)
.
With constancy, chef Franck Reynaud, who came to Valais for love, plows the furrow of a lively and sensitive cuisine, hailed with a star.
Its delicate plates sing the energy of the Alpine terroir: lake fish (perch, féra), local veal, matured tommes, wild arugula, aniseed herbs... In the glasses, Valais wines, matched with heart by the sommelier Nicolas Lacoste.
Tasting menus between €155 and €205.
Le Chetzeron
(00 41 27 485 08 00; Chetzeron.ch
)
.
Its monumental architecture slipped into the concrete of a former cable car station houses one of the resort's good restaurants.
Recently, the two-starred Belgian Christophe Hardiquest has been the consulting chef: at midday, alpine inspirations for a stop between two slopes.
In the evening, we go there by snowcat, the kitchen in turn goes up a notch under the striking volumes.
Also 16 rooms and suites, 4 terraces and a panoramic heated swimming pool.
Count on €60 for lunch.
Menu at €125 for dinner, transport by ratrak included.
Le Relais de Colombire
(00 41 79 220 35 94; Colombire.ch).
Wood-fired raclette, polenta with alpine cheese, boletus fondue... this restaurant, accessible in winter by snowshoes or touring skis, watches over its classics with inventiveness.
Breathtaking view of the Alpine range from the terrace or the contemporary raw concrete room.
Around €35.
La Cabane des Violettes
(00 41 27 481 39 19; Cabanedesviolettes.ch).
At the heart of the ski area, this cabin run by Michelin-starred Franck Reynaud and mountain guide Pierre-Olivier Bagnoud highlights Valais cuisine, perfect for taking off your skis: cheese crust (on three floors!), fondues, röstis, maestro's tarte tatin... The stop is as friendly as it is popular: reservation required.
Count €35.
La Plage
(00 41 27 481 27 87; Restaurantlaplage.ch).
Warm and with a unifying menu (perch fillet, low-temperature beef, stuffed pumpkin, etc.), this chalet nestles on the banks of the Moubra, the most preserved of the nine lakes dotted around the resort.
In winter, heated bubble unfolded outside.
Around €50.
What to see, what to do in Crans Montana?
Opal Foundation.
Bruno Mazodier
Fondation Opale
(00 41 27 483 46 10
;
Fondationopale.ch
)
.
Surprising and fascinating art center dedicated to contemporary Australian Aboriginal art, housed in concrete architecture at the entrance to the village of Lens.
The exhibitions orchestrate the dialogue between the arts, such as the recent comparison of the work of Yves Klein with Aboriginal creation.
Also a pleasant restaurant facing Lac du Louché.
A place that opens horizons, founded in 2018 by the collector Bérengère Primat.
Entry €14.
Valais Wine Tour
(00 41 79 225 40 54
;
Valaiswinetours.com
)
.
Mountain guide and oenologist, Catherine Antille, great-granddaughter of one of the founders of the resort, was born with one foot in the vineyards, one foot on the slopes.
She shares her love of Valais wines through walks and tastings close to the vineyard.
Tailor-made excursions, from half a day to a few days.
Hamlet of Colombire
(
Colombire.ch
)
.
A group of mayens (traditional alpine chalets), nestled at 1850 m, testimony to life in the past.
Among the many ways to discover the hamlet: snowshoeing at dusk, raclette, visiting the ecomuseum and fun sledging return after dark.
You can also spend the night in one of the comfortable mayens transformed into lodges (up to 22 people, from €58 per night with breakfast), to wake up to the fresh snow.
Shopping ideas in Crans Montana
Dédé Concept store
(
00 41 27 480 11 45
;
Dedethestore.com
)
.
It has style, this boutique opened by sisters Romane and Manon Deller, who also have windows in Geneva and Saint-Tropez.
The two Genevans brought together fashion designers and cutting-edge brands, with a touch of mountain chic (Diemme boots, Ienki Ienki down jackets, etc.).
Wines, cocktails and stylish brunch at Dédé, adjoining bar.
Laiterie Au Petit Chalet
(
00 41 27 481 22 46; Laiterieaupetitchalet.ch
)
.
A reference cheese shop, displaying its retro sign since the 1930s. To stock up on Alpine Gruyère, raclette and homemade yogurts.
Duly recommended by master cheesemaker Florian Bonvin.
Taillens
(
Boulangerietaillens.ch
)
.
This baking institution, run by the same family since 1943, spreads over several bakeries and tea rooms between Lens and Crans.
Among the specialties, AOP rye bread with a cracked back, typical of Valais.