Crans-Montana

The Crans-Montana plateau spreads out above the Rhône valley at an altitude of about 1,500 m. The broad, gently sloping terraces of the plateau border wooded slopes above Vermala and Les Plans-Mayens. The Plaine Morte glacier (3,000 m) has the finest terrain for skiing in untracked snow, and the cross-country trails laid out there are used for training by national teams from all over Europe. At 1,500 m lies the village of Aminona, a kind of satellite of Crans-Montana. Large apartment blocks were built here, and the few holiday chalets are merely a backdrop to them. From Aminona a cable car runs to Petit Bonvin, where fairly demanding ski terrain begins. From here you can make your way via La Tza and La Barmaz to the Les Violettes area. To the west of Crans-Montana, 5 km away as the crow flies, lies the high-mountain resort of Anzère, set on the south-facing slope above the Rhône valley. A narrow, deep river valley separates the ski areas of the two resorts.