Major city · Switzerland
Crans-Montana
Spend 2–3 days: one day for ski or summer sport lifts, another for town shopping, dining and a short hike; optional extra day for golf or spa.
Crans-Montana is a high‑altitude resort on a sunny south‑facing plateau in Valais. It offers winter sports, summer golf, hiking and upscale shopping. Most activities fit within a half‑day, so a 2‑day stay covers the main lifts and town, with a third day for golf or spa if desired.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CHF
- Best months
- Dec–Mar for snow; Jun–Sep for hiking and golf
- avoid Apr–May (variable snow) and Oct–Nov (short daylight)
- Airports
- GVA · ZRH
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not the EU: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is outside the EU customs area: allowances on meat, alcohol and tobacco are strict and checked at borders.
- Switzerland ↗Motorways need a vignette (sticker or e-vignette) before you drive on them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Crans-Montana117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Crans-Montana, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Swiss franc (CHF).Switzerland-wide
- SIM or eSIMSwisscom, Sunrise and Salt sell prepaid SIMs (ID needed); Swisscom covers the most mountain terrain.Switzerland-wide
- Tap waterTap and fountain water is excellent.Switzerland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service included; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.Switzerland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/J. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Switzerland-wide
- SafetyCrans‑Montana is safe; main risks are winter avalanches on backcountry routes and parking fines for improper disc use.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost CHF 1–2 (≈ US$2–3); restaurants and department stores are free for customers.Switzerland-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 144 ambulance · 118 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close early on Saturday in small towns and all day Sunday, except stations and airports.Switzerland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGVA Geneva Airport (2 h 30 min train to Sierre, then funicular).
- Getting aroundFree resort bus runs until ~23:00; funicular from Sierre (12–20 min) to Montana Gare…Free resort bus runs until ~11:00 PM; funicular from Sierre (12–20 min) to Montana Gare…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in caféCHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8)
- Street or quick mealAlpine lunch (sandwich + drink)CHF 12–20 (≈ US$15–25)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))CHF 30–45 (≈ US$40–60)
- Budget bed3‑star hotel double, a night, per roomCHF 180 (≈ US$250)
- Mid-range bed3‑star hotel double, a night, per roomCHF 250 (≈ US$350)
- High-end bed3‑star hotel double, a night, per roomCHF 350 (≈ US$450)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CHF 120 (≈ US$150) · Mid CHF 210 (≈ US$300) · High CHF 340 (≈ US$450)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GVA Geneva Airport (2 h 30 min train to Sierre, then funicular) · ZRH Zurich Airport (Change at Brig, then train to Sierre)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Best
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Mar
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Crans-Montana: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
6 rd
Feb
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
5 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Free resort bus runs until ~23:00; funicular from Sierre (12–20 min) to Montana Gare; private car parking requires a "macaron" disc for free 60‑90 min, otherwise fine.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sierre town
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min total
Walk 5 min to funicular station, then 12‑20 min ride
Historic centre, shopping, good restaurants
Val d'Anniviers (Grimentz)
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 1 h 30 min
Bus from Crans‑Montana to St‑Maurice, then local bus
Seasonal service; check timetable
Door to door: ≈ 2 h
Train Sierre → Visp → Saas‑Fee (≈ 1 h 30 min)
Nearby ski resort, good for a day
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Guarda Golf Hotel Crans-Montana
5‑star, 25 rooms, close to golf course and centre
LeCrans Hotel & Spa
4‑star, spa, rooms CHF 550–9 000 per night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CHF 120–180 (≈ US$150–250) excl. bed
- Mid
- CHF 180–300 (≈ US$250–400) excl. bed
- High
- CHF 300 (≈ US$400)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| 3‑star hotel double1 × 2 nights × CHF 250 | CHF 500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CHF 210 | CHF 840 |
| Funicular Sierre → Montana (round‑trip)2 × CHF 25 · check | CHF 50 |
| Lift pass (5‑day)2 × CHF 350 · buy in advance | CHF 700 |
| eSIM (1 week data)2 × CHF 30 · check | CHF 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CHF 215 |
| Trip total≈ CHF 591 per person per day, bed included | CHF 2,365≈ US$3,000 |
2026 estimate in CHF; flights and rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in café | CHF 4–6 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Alpine lunch (sandwich + drink) | CHF 12–20 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Ski lift ticket (1 day)check | CHF 70–120 (≈ US$90–150) |
| Golf green fee (18 holes) | CHF 120–180 (≈ US$150–250) |
| Taxi (5 km) | CHF 30–45 (≈ US$40–60) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking without a macaron disc incurs heavy fine.
- Lift‑pass prices vary; buy in advance for cheaper dynamic pricing.
- Winter sledging at Aminona costs CHF 35 (≈ US$45) even with a ski pass.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 118
- Rega air rescue
- 1414
Pocket card
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Crans-MontanaCrans-Montana
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Ambulance144
- Fire118
- Rega1414
Embassy
Swiss US Embassy in Bern; US consulate in Zurich (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sierre → Crans‑Montana funicular: CHF 25 (≈ US$35) round‑trip, 12–20 min (check)
- Free resort bus (until 23:00): No charge, frequent service
Say or show
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me / Sorry (Entschuldigung)
- Merci — Thank you (Merci)
- C’est combien? — How much is it? (Say)
- Où est le funiculaire? — Where is the funicular? (Say)
- Puis-je payer par carte? — Can I pay by card? (Say)
- Où sont les toilettes? — Where is the toilet? (Say)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Crans-Montana. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar for snow; Jun–Sep for hiking and golf · avoid Apr–May (variable snow) and Oct–Nov (short daylight) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Buy lift pass online (check dynamic pricing).
- Use free resort bus; purchase macaron disc if driving.
- Combine ski day with evening shopping in Crans.
Sources
Ask about Crans-Montana
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