Ski Crans-Montana: resort guide - Telegraph Set on a broad shelf facing south across the Rhône valley, Crans-Montana is really two towns, their centres a mile apart and their fringes merging. The resort is reached by road or by a funicular railway from Sierre. There are also places to stay at the other base stations, a mile east at Les Barzettes (aka Les Violettes, strictly the name of the hill above) and further out at Aminona. Outings to Zermatt, Saas-Fee and Verbier are possible. We like Splendid setting and views Excellent, gentle nursery slopes Decent cross-country trails Very sunny slopes, but ... Snow is badly affected by the sun Large, busy, urban resort For many people, life revolves around driving or buses Few challenges except off-piste Both Crans and Montana are emphatically towns rather than villages, with little traditional Alpine character and a lot of traffic. But the wooded setting softens the urban feel a bit. Crans is the more upmarket part, with fancy shops, an increasing number of 5-star hotels and an improved pedestrian-friendly centre. The towns spread widely away from their respective gondola stations and many visitors need to use cars or the free half-hourly shuttle-bus. The panoramic views over the Rhône valley to the peaks bordering Italy are breathtaking. The runs on the Plaine Morte glacier are very limited, and nearly all the other slopes get a lot of direct sun. There is snowmaking on the main runs but the condition of the snow depends heavily on the weather. Some runs to resort level have often been closed on our visits. We have no recent reports of the Swiss schools, but past reports have been mainly positive. This doesn't strike us as a natural family resort.