Crans Montana

Crans-Montana is a popular all year round destination thanks to it’s world class reputation as a high end shopping and golfing destination and whilst the shops remain open in the winter time the greens shut down to double up as a useful beginner piste. However if you want a rest from the normal winter activities one place to head is Lac Moubra named after a nearby lake the  indoor sports centre offers a range of sporting activities from indoor tennis to an impressive climbing wall. This place is pretty impressive and well worth checking out especially on a whiteout day. 

For younger ones and families there is an illuminated lantern path where you can take a walk by the lake, the town also boasts a cinema, ice rink and a curling centre if you fancy something different to try. There are an abundance of high end shops where you can get anything from expensive watches to designer clothes. The town also has some great bars and restaurants as well as sport shops and a casino.

 

Food lovers are spoilt for choice with over 80 eateries on offer the question is more what to eat than where. If you fancy something traditionally Swiss the Le Mayen restaurant offers a variety of traditional dishes included Raclette, Fondue and Croute. Based in the same building as the Hotel Olympic the place has lots of rustic charm built in traditional wood and stone. As well as traditional Swiss dishes there are also a selection of local beers and wines on offer.

If you want to eat out on the slopes the restaurant Cry d’Er is the place to head adorned with large Omega Seamaster watch it’s hard to miss this place. At a height of 2,220 metres this places offers a full 360 degree view of the Valais Alps and as well as getting something to eat, you can expect to listen to some live beats from the DJ decks. As well as food this place consists of a restaurant, bar, terraced and an indoor and outdoor dance floor.
 

Back in town and for something a bit more down to earth, make sure you head to the Burger Lounge, the burgers are beautiful combining the local beef and local cheeses that makes for an exceptional combination. The place also has fish, chicken and vegetarian options should you decide to give the beef a miss.

As well as the food there are plenty of local beers on offer and the laid back feel of the place means it is great place to hangout whether you are eating or not. It is well worth booking in advance though as this place is a lively hangout that soon gets full.

If you want a lite bite through the day or after getting down the mountain Au Saxo in town offers some good food and reasonably priced drinks. For those going down the self catering route there are a few big supermarkets in town Migros and Aldi offer traditional supermarket fare whilst Let Terrior  offers some fine Swiss wines and cheeses.

The 40,000 plus tourist beds are spread throughout a large area with the option to stay in either Crans or Montana Lodging options are fairly extensive with a good choice of slope side hotels, youth hostels or a large selection of self catering apartment blocks for groups, but on the whole nothing comes cheap wherever you stay. We stayed at the Hotel Olympic, a 3 star hotel offering traditional warm alpine style, with cosy bedrooms and a hearty breakfast. 

The hotel also offers traditional swiss food in the adjoining Le Mayen restaurant and for a post meal nightcap the Amadeus Bar is a short stroll downstairs, it's a lively bar that comes highly recommended. Situated close to the lifts, shops and nightlife we found it an ideally located place to stay

Crans Montana has some good nightlife and you can find some reasonably priced drinks if you know where to head. If you want to start early then head out for après ski at Zero Dix at the base station of the blue gondola.Cool hangouts to have a beer in include The Amadeus Bar, which has a sister bar on the slopes, and Constellation, both offer party mood and live music. The Memphis Bar is also a good bar to head too as well.

For something a little different near the ice rink you can find a selection of huts offering local beers, wines and spirits this is a great place to mingle after a day on the slopes and makes for a nice alternative from the indoor bars especially on a bluebird day. Nearby you will also find Palomitas bar the locals head here and the beer is reasonably priced if you want to keep the night going for a little longer.

For those that really want to let their hair down the Pacha Club and Sky club stay open till 4am.