This is an elegant and sophisticated resort in the Valais region (southern Switzerland) and is a resort located above the Rhone Valley basking in winter sunshine and offers superb views on a fine day.
In summer it stages an international golf tournament but in winter skiers will find an abundance of pistes covering 160km and 50 runs most of which are suitable for all grades of skier. There are 2 black, 28 red and 20 blue pistes covering an impressive 160kms of mountain slopes.
Crans-Montana was once two separate villages but huge investments of cash and a desire to be up there with the best combined the two into one exciting resort.
Gondolas whisk you to either Chetzeron (2100m) or to Cryid d'Err (2267m) or to Lee Violettes (2250m) and then by cable car to Tubang (2826m). There is then a further cable car link which is quite breathtaking across to the peak of Pte.Plaine Morte (3000m) which then offers an excellent and long red pistes back to the mid-station or for those fit enough to the base station of nearby Les Barzettes which will then mean a gondola journey and so linking skiing across to Cryid d'Err before you can ski down to Crans-Montana.
If you have any energy left at the end of the skiing day, you can enjoy skating and curling, tobogganing, or venture indoors for squash and a sauna, or go to the swimming pool and ten-pin bowling. In the evening there is a casino, restaurants and bars and a good selection of nightlife. There is a free ski-bus service linking all the skiing areas and base stations.
The journey across Switzerland (remember your vignette for motorway driving) is from Basel via Bern and then to the A9 highway which takes you to Sierre. From here the mountain road up to the villages of Crans and Montana is usually fairly easy without chains - but do carry them just in case. Watch for local parking regulations and try and find an official car park or stay at a hotel with its own parking.
Contact the resort or make a hotel booking to: http://www.switzerland-trips.com/Crans-Montana/Crans-Montana-Hotels-Tourist-Info.html