The history of Crans-Montana began back in 1893, when Louis Antille and Michel Zufferey were captivated by the Haut-Plateau area, and opened the first hotel here. Its panoramic views, clean air and exceptional amount of sunshine quickly attracted visitors and spa guests, leading to the establishment of the first sanatoriums and the development of a golf course. Soon, a newcomer arrived in this alpine setting – skiing. It would leave a lasting impression on the resort's identity.
In 1911, Crans-Montana truly entered skiing legend. It was in this year that the Roberts of Kandahar Challenge Cup took place, considered the first downhill ski race in the history of winter sports worldwide. Organised by the British pioneer of modern alpine skiing and inventor of the slalom, Sir Arnold Lunn, the competition ran from the Wildstrubel hut to Montana. This visionary challenge marked a turning point, and Crans-Montana became one of the birthplaces of modern alpine skiing.
The name Kandahar was subsequently used for other prestigious races, giving rise to the Kandahar circuit in the 1920s. In Crans-Montana, one of the main slopes in the ski area still bears this name today, perpetuating the memory of this historic first race.
In the decades that followed, skiing quickly became popular on the Haut-Plateau. After the inauguration of the funicular railway in 1911, the first ski lift in Valais was built in 1936, paving the way for winter tourism. In 1950, the inauguration of the Crans–Cry d'Er cable car marked the beginning of the modern skiing era.
This modernisation was accompanied by a real economic and tourist boom: hotels, ski schools and competitions established Crans-Montana as a benchmark for alpine skiing. Gradually the ski area expanded towards Les Violettes, Aminona and the Plaine Morte, shaping the contours of what would become one of the largest ski areas in the Swiss Alps. Between 1944 and 1966, the Mont-Lachaux Trophy attracted the skiing elite to the Nationale piste every year, laying the foundation for a sporting tradition that would soon make the resort a major venue for competitive skiing
The 1970s marked the beginning of the golden age of skiing in Crans-Montana. Buoyed by the growing popularity of skiing in Switzerland and the quality of its infrastructure, the resort hosted an increasing number of international competitions. It first appeared on the FIS Women's World Cup calendar in 1977, marking the beginning of a long tradition of hosting the world and European circuits: over 70 major competitions have taken place since then.
This boom culminated in 1987, when the resort organised the Alpine Ski World Championships. In front of a large audience, the Swiss team achieved an historic performance, finishing with 14 podium places. This event was the first of its kind in Valais, and generated unprecedented enthusiasm from the public and media in Switzerland.
Anchored in over a century of Alpine history, Crans-Montana continues to evolve with the times. The resort has modernised and diversified, while remaining true to the spirit that made it famous. The arrival of Vail Resorts marks a new chapter in this long adventure.
Today, the resort is an attractive mountain destination, combining spectacular views, four-season activities and modern infrastructure. While its international reputation remains closely linked to the major events it hosts, it is also establishing itself as a dynamic economic and cultural hub, where Alpine lifestyle meets contemporary energy.
In preparing for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Crans-Montana 2027 forty years after the historic 1987 edition, Crans-Montana is reconnecting with its glorious past, while resolutely looking towards the future.
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