When we hear the phrase “ski resort”, the imagination instantly draws a young extreme in bright clothes, in whose veins pure adrenaline flows instead of blood. But is it worth it to follow the stereotypes?
In Swiss Crans-Montana, everything is completely different than we used to imagine. Tourists come here not to rush headlong down the highway, as if bailiffs are chasing them, but to enjoy every minute of life. At this resort, a rocking chair or sun lounger is seen as a much more useful invention than a lift chair.
By the way, there is always plenty of sun in Crans-Montana – the resort is located on the southern slope, there is almost never a shadow here. Sitting in front of the mountain ranges, enjoying the views and not thinking about anything – the local nature has prepared a good lesson in meditation, not physical education. Below, the valley stretches imposingly, in which the Rhone River originates. And right in front of you, the majestic Alps lined up, like guardsmen, on a snow parade under the command of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, which are perfectly visible from anywhere in the resort.
Don’t want to loosen up?
Of course, in Crans-Montana you can also have a great ride – for the inhabitants of Switzerland, this is one of the favorite home vacation destinations. Just imagine: 140 km of trails of varying difficulty, off-piste routes through the forest or near the Plaine Morte glacier, a huge snow park – all this and much more was created specifically for lovers of an active lifestyle and extreme sports. But still, skiing and snowboarding at this resort is just a cherry on the cake, and by no means the main dish on the menu of local entertainment.
Freeze in bliss
To truly appreciate the region, you can take a bus to the famous city of Sion. It lost the battle for the right to become the Olympic capital three times, but in any advertising brochure it is referred to as the “capital of wine”. And this is a well-deserved title. Sion is the capital of the canton of Valais, where more wine is produced than in any other region of Switzerland.
In Crans-Montana gourmet restaurants, queues sometimes line up no shorter than in front of the ski lifts. The outdoor pools at award-winning spas are just as inviting as the diving boards. And the list of stores of famous brands takes up much more space in any guidebook than the description of the local routes. All this constantly distracts travelers from sports records. But it makes you stop, relax, freeze in bliss, or even stay in Crans-Montana forever, as some world stars like Roger Moore did.
Need to know
How to get to B&B King`s Residence the nearest airport is in Geneva (180 km). Next by train to Sion or Sierre station. A bus runs from these places to Crans Montana, and there is also a lift directly from the Sierra to the resort.
What to see: in the city of Sion, every third door leads to one of the many wine tastings. You can get to the town by bus Crans-Montana – Sion (45 minutes).
In addition to skis: Crans-Montana is as familiar to golfers as it is to skiers. Some golf courses do not stop working even in winter.