Crans Montana

Only two hours from Geneva and 90 minutes from Lausanne, Crans-Montana can be crowded on weekends, but the crowd quickly fans out on 140 km of steep and wide runs, reaching 27 different elevators.

The mountain is known for its superior terrain mediation – 70 km of graded trails for intermediaries – and for its variety of start and running slopes – 55 km are rated as easy.

Children okay Special attention is given to the coverage of magic mats, new for the 2017 season, at the ski kindergarten and accessible via the new Montana-Arnouva cable car. Snow Island is a family favorite for snow tubing, with a magic carpet for novice skiers and sleighs.

Maintenance and grooming of snow is of high priority and about one-third of snow-covered slopes and trails. This is especially helpful because Crans-Montana’s slopes to the south, with more sunlight than many other Swiss ski resorts.

Several trails are lit for night skiing and there is a snow park exclusively for boarding. A number of international ski and snowboard races are held here, including the world skiing actress Audi FIS Alpine, this year on March 3-4. A new Magic Pass combines rights access to Crans-Montana elevators with 25 smaller resorts, including Grimentz-Zinal, Villars-Gryon and St Luc; The pass is good for the entire season.

Verbier

Expert ski note: Verbier is for you, endowed with well laid out runs for long distance skiing and an abundance of secluded terrain making it one of the best resorts in the world offshore skiing. Tortin is famous as one of the steepest regions in Europe.

Located on a natural terrace with views of Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc group, Verbier is part of the Four ski valleys, joining Thyon, Veysonnaz, and Nendaz with a total of over 410 km of ski paths and 93 lifts are all included in an elevator.

Skiers who are not up to the rigors of terrain experts will find some high intermediate activity; cable car to 2,050 meters Tortin takes you to some, and Bruson, through the valley at 1,080 meters, is less crowded and has good intermediate terrain.

Verbier’s Snow Park organizes the annual Verbier Ride free events and Verbier Xtreme freeride competitions, part of the Freeride World Tour. Holidays here are expensive, though Les Touristes features comfortable rooms at a more affordable price.