Ski Lifts in Crans-Montana
The Crans-Montana ski area breaks down into four sectors – Crans, Montana, Violettes and Aminona, each adequately served by a gondola, supporting chairlifts and button lifts. The new quad-chairlift replacing the Cry-d’Er cable car is reputedly 20% faster and moves more people per hour to the top of Bellalui.
Crans-Montana Ski Lifts
Crans-Montana has invested heavily in new lifts in recent years, along with improvements to many of its pistes. Four million Swiss francs have been injected into the modernisation of the Piste Nationale – used for the 2010 Women’s World Cup races, slalom and GS races. A new quad-chairlift has replaced the Cry-d’Er cable car and the old T3 button lift, running to the top of Bellalui (2528m) with its stunning views of Mont Blanc and the Rhone Valley. The new lift is reputedly 20% faster and takes 2,400 people an hour over a distance of almost a mile.
The comfortable six-seater National Express chairlift, which opened in 2007/08, halved the time taken to ride back up to the top of the National piste. There are no pull-down hoods on chairlifts for protection in bad weather, arguably because hoods are seldom needed in this sunniest of Swiss resorts.
Each of the lifts is numbered and clearly marked on the map, and although the runs themselves are not numbered and are less well signposted away from the lift stations, it’s easy enough to navigate your way around the ski area. Skiing or boarding in the forest is prohibited in order to protect trees, fauna and wildlife.
There are pay car parks close to the main lift stations in Crans, Montana and Violettes and free car parking next to the lift station in Aminona. If you do not have a car and you do not want to carry skis and wear ski boots between your hotel and the lifts, you can rent a ski locker for a week, two weeks or a longer period if necessary.
Crans-Montana Lift Pass
A hands-free electronic ski lift pass system is in operation for lift passes of more than two days duration, otherwise day tickets are issued if you’re skiing for just a day or two. For hands-free cards, a photo is necessary and can be obtained at the lift ticket offices.
If you’re skiing more than one resort in the Valais region you can buy a personal prepaid Valais Ski Card which is valid for up to two years in more than 40 Valais ski resorts. Day tickets are available at reduced prices for non-skiers wanting to access the lift system.
Free lift passes are available for children under six years old. A discount of 10% is available for families purchasing the same ski pass for three or more family members, staying at the same address in Crans-Montana.
Free lift passes are available for children under six years old. A discount of 10% is available for families purchasing the same ski pass for three or more family members, staying at the same address in Crans-Montana.
Crans-Montana Lift Company
Domaine Skiable Crans-Montana-Aminona
Routes des Barzettes
CH-3963 Crans-Montana 1
Tel: +41 (0) 27 485 89 10
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.crans-montana.ch