Beyond the downhill ski slopes, Crans-Montana offers a vast playground for all kinds of winter sports enthusiasts. Over the decades, the resort has developed a wide range of winter activities, taking advantage of the many different landscapes, exceptional sunshine hours and modern sports facilities. Ski touring, Nordic skiing, sledging and ice skating are just some of the ways you can get away from it all and experience the mountains in a different way.
With its wide-open spaces and breathtaking views, Crans-Montana is a real paradise for ski touring enthusiasts. This quieter and more immersive activity offers a different way to explore the mountains in winter, far from the crowds and in close contact with nature. The region offers ideal conditions thanks to its sunny climate and huge area of terrain.
In order to make ski touring more accessible, Crans-Montana has developed marked and secured routes in its Ski Rando Parc, one of the largest in the world. Designed in partnership with two-time ski mountaineering world champion and four-time winner of the Patrouille des Glaciers Séverine Pont-Combe, the park offers 16 routes, accessible from four departure points spread across the area. The park has a total height gain of 8,000 metres and approximately 84 km of trails, offering levels of difficulty which are suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers. Among these routes «Rookies» is perfect for an introduction to ski mountaineering, while «La X’trême» is for the more experienced, with 3,000 metres of elevation gain.
Although the Alps are full of mountain ranges suitable for ski touring, very few places offer a marked and secured network like Crans-Montana. On a European and global scale, the Ski Rando Parc stands out because of its structured network, which everyone can access and which is perfectly integrated in the ski area, allowing you to enjoy mountain skiing in a safe environment while taking in spectacular views of Valais.
With routes designed for all levels, Crans-Montana has established itself as an international benchmark for marked ski touring, combining safety, accessibility and enjoyment in the mountains.
The Ski Rando Parc is open during the ski area opening hours, and can be accessed with a season pass or a Rando Pass, available as a day pass (5.-) or season pass (50.-). It is on sale at all ski lift ticket offices or online, and is free with Pass One and Pass 100. Several mountain restaurants near the routes also offer an opportunity to take a break and enjoy the panoramic views. Free maps are available, equipment can be hired directly at the resort, and the routes can also be explored with an experienced guide.
Crans-Montana also hosts well-known ski mountaineering competitions, such as the Nocturne du Loup and the Défi des Faverges. Popular with both amateur participants and experienced athletes, these events offer excellent challenges and serve as ideal preparation for the Patrouille des Glaciers, helping to firmly establish ski touring as part of the resort’s winter landscape.
In Crans-Montana, cross-country skiing enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of accessible trails, whether they prefer classic or skating style. Almost 20 km of marked trails suitable for all levels allow you to discover a variety of landscapes, both in the resort and on the glacier.
The resort's trails cross the Severiano Ballesteros golf course, run along the shores of Lake Moubra and wind through the wooded Les Briesses area. The trails are all interconnected and bathed in light that changes throughout the day, creating a variety of atmospheres that are ideal for both regular practice as well as for beginners.
Crans-Montana also stands out for its cross-country skiing opportunities on the Plaine Morte glacier, at an altitude of almost 3,000 metres. This high-altitude trail offers spectacular scenery with unobstructed views of the surrounding peaks. It is regularly used as a training ground by top cross-country skiers, including Valais Olympic athlete Candide Pralong. The trail is notable for its original layout, which is created in distinctive shapes, such as a dove or butterfly, which are visible from the top of the ski lift and created by the snow groomers using GPS technology. Loops of varying difficulty mean that cross-country skiers of all levels can enjoy the trail.
The trails are maintained when snow conditions allow, and route maps, practical information and equipment hire is available. It is also possible to book lessons with one of the resort's ski schools.
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Located on the snow-covered Severiano Ballesteros golf course, Snow Island is one of Crans-Montana's must-visit winter attractions. Easily accessible from the resort centre, this area offers a friendly environment to discover the joys of being in the snow in a relaxed atmosphere.
From first attempts at skiing to tobogganing or snow tubing on specially designed snow tubes, everyone can enjoy the activities at their own pace thanks to magic carpet lifts. The more daring can try their hand at jumps or the thrills of the airbag, try the bungee trampoline or an introduction to boardercross, while children can try electric snowmobiles safely.
For parents with several children, Bibi’s House offers a practical solution: if you’re on your own with two or three children, it’s possible to organise a rota with the nursery, so that everyone can enjoy the activities safely and stress-free.
Snow Island is not just a place to ski, it’s truly a playground for discovery and thrills, where young and old alike can enjoy winter to the full.
Snow Island is also a popular meeting place and entertainment venue for families, offering a friendly and welcoming space. An indoor and outdoor refreshment bar and deckchairs allow you to take a break between activities. Access to the magic carpets and ski lifts is with the Step One Pass, which also gives access to the snow garden at Arnouva, as well as the Ycoor ice rink.
Tip: the Step One Pass is available from CHF10.- for children aged 3 and over and for adults, offering unlimited access to Snow Island, the Arnouva snow garden, the beginners’ magic carpets and ski lifts in the resort, and also the Ycoor ice rink.
Winter sports in Crans-Montana also include ice skating at Ycoor. This special site in the centre of the resort combines skating, curling and events in a lively atmosphere all winter long. It is the ideal place for an outing with family, friends or for a romantic date.
The outdoor ice rink is one of the largest in Switzerland in a mountain resort, and is open for both public skating and sports training. It is used by schools, hockey teams and figure skaters, while remaining accessible to those who simply want to put their skates on to enjoy a few laps around the ice.
Next to the ice rink, the curling hall offers visitors the chance to try or practise this iconic ice sport. The indoor rink hosts introductory sessions, group outings and supervised activities, and has a friendly café if visitors want to stay a bit longer. The ice rink is regularly transformed into a festive venue for galas and ice discos, popular events that combine skating, music and a friendly atmosphere, which attract a diverse crowd throughout the season.
Skate hire and on-site facilities make skating accessible to both beginners and regular skaters
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