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Crans-Montana Travel Guide
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Crans-Montana © lynnsta |
Overview Claiming to occupy the sunniest plateau in the Swiss Alps, the
twin villages of Crans and Montana are perched 4920 feet (1,500m)
above the Rhone Valley. Crans-Montana provides the best of both a
mountain village and modern Swiss ski resort, offering an Alpine
shopping paradise, and easy access to nearby attractions like the
museums of Sierra, the underground lake near St-Léonard, and
the glacier at Plaine Morte. The resort has a glitzy reputation and
enjoys a fashionable nightlife. Crans-Montana offers many summer
activities, including water skiing, swimming, mountain climbing,
hiking, and a championship golf course.
Skiing Skiing in Crans-Montana stretches 9,842 feet (3,000m) up to the
Plaine Morte Glacier, which provides year-round opportunities.
There are 87 miles (140km) of marked pistes served by 27 ski lifts.
While the golf course provides a gentle proving ground for
beginners, experts may find little to challenge them. There are 22
miles (35km) of cross country trails, and the resort offers night
skiing on Fridays until 10pm.
Negatives Crans-Montana's sunny location can have a negative effect on its
snow. Traffic is heavy in the high season as most guests come in
cars. There are few challenging runs for advanced skiers.
Activities Glacier Express Advertised as the 'slowest express train in the world', the
Glacier Express is also the most panoramic, and is a breathtaking
way to experience the magnificence of the Swiss Alps. The seven and
a half hour journey begins daily from Zermatt. The red mountain
train crosses more than 291 bridges, winds its way through 91
tunnels and seven valleys and over the 6,670ft (2,033m) Oberalp
Pass to the resort of St Moritz, in a spectacular feat of mountain
engineering. The train is equipped with large windows for clear
viewing and the scenery, including mountain panoramas, quaint
villages and wooden chalets, forests and alpine pastures, is
stunning. A dining car provides lunch and the mini-bar contains
tilted wine glasses to counter the lean of the carriages along the
steep mountainous route. The train can be taken in either
direction, and if time is short it is possible to travel along a
short section of the route, but either way it is advisable to make
advance bookings as the train is very popular. There are several
departures a day during summer and one a day in winter.
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