Ski holidays in Crans Montana - Switzerland

Ski holidays in Crans Montana - Crans Montana has a huge amount of terrain south-facing slopes. The ski range is from 1,476 metres (nearly 5,000 feet) - a better height than most major resorts in the Alps for resort-level snow cover, up to 3,000 metres (nearly 10,000 feet). Crowned by the Plaine-Morte glacier, the vertical drop is a respectable 1524 metres (5000 feet).

The resort was the location for the 1987 World Alpine Skiing Championships and the World Alpine Ski Cup Finals of 1992 and 1998. Every year a number of FIS World Cup events are also staged here including men's and women's downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom.

An excellent choice for beginners, thanks to the resort level snow and the huge area of gentle slopes that in summer transforms into the golf course.

Crans Montana's main skiing is divided in to three areas although they are all well lift-linked to one another and by five different gondola lifts from various parts of the resort itself. The biggest is Cry d'Err , the second Violettes - location of many of the resort's tougher runs, and the third Aminona above the purpose built centre of the same name.

Intermediate level skiers will find plenty to occupy them at all levels, particularly the long run down from the Plaine Morte glacier (a supplement is payable to access the glacier lift). Experts will enjoy the men's downhill course, the Piste nationale, and there are also many off-piste itineraries to explore with a guide. Lift queues are rare thanks to recent investment in high-capacity, high-speed lifts, most notably the Funitel gondola. Excursions are possible to neighbouring Anzère or further afield to Grimentz, Verbier or Zermatt.

There are some 40km (25 miles) of cross country trails, including a high altitude loipe on the glacier, and the Foulée Blanche race is staged in the resort each January.

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