In a prime position high on a south-facing plateau, Crans Montana ski resort, to the east of Geneva, is a great Alpine resort with stunning scenery. Its 160kms of groomed slopes are ideal for beginners, intermediate skiers and families and there is also great cross-country skiing, and glacier skiing.

Two villages in one, Crans Montana has a full range of facilities, including elegant boutiques sporting the haute couture of Paris and Milan. Crans is the more glitzy of the two, with smart boutiques and restaurants, while Montana is very much the skiers’ resort. Accommodation is available in every category, with a total of 40,000 beds.

Crans-Montana’s 160kms of slopes are rated green, blue and black, with 38 per cent beginner runs; 50 per cent, intermediate; and 12 per cent for advanced and expert skiers. There are 30 lifts with a capacity for over 36,500 skiers per hour, and the longest run is 12kms. In addition, there are 40kms of classic cross-country trails.

Other winter activities and facilities include: snowboarding, with a fun park and halfpipe; 60kms of winter walking trails; 30kms of skating (natural/artificial); curling; mountaineering; snowshoeing; heliskiing; horse-draw sleigh rides; horseback riding; and ballooning. Indoor activities include: a fitness centre; swimming; squash; tennis; sauna; cinema; bowling; and a golf simulator. There are bars, discos and a casino among other après-ski entertainments.

The best snow runs from February and well into March, and cheaper weeks are offered at the beginning and towards the end of the season, and after the New Year’s celebrations.

The most popular way to get to and from Crans Montana ski resort is to fly to Geneva’s Cointrin Airport and take a train/bus combination, changing to bus at Sion, or Sierre. Car hire from the airport is the most convenient transfer option.