If you want to experience what it means to ski in the mountains, this is the ideal destination Crans-Montana. The famous commune of the canton of Valais, in Swiss, in fact, offers a wide variety of ski mountaineering routes, suitable for everyone. But above all, it welcomes the Ski Hiking Park.
This space is designed to accommodate both beginnerslooking forward to doing the first steps in ski mountaineeringboth the experts which aim to perfect their skillsand stands out as a landmark in the region.
The Ski Rando Parc offers nature skiing enthusiasts routes for a total elevation gain greater than 8,000 meters.
It is 17 sealskin routes spread over 40 km of marked and secure trailsdesigned in collaboration with Séverine Pont-Combe, ski mountaineering champion in Crans-Montana.
Available from December to April, depending on snow conditions, the ski mountaineering routes in Crans-Montana have elevation differences (d+) ranging from 212 to 3,059 meters and lengths from 1.3 to 34.7 kilometers.
Ski mountaineering in Crans-Montana: the Ski Rando Parc routes
Blue routes for beginners
The four blue, easy and named routes Summit (253 days+), The recruits (212 days+) Recruits Again (236 d+)e Little Wolf (325 d+), are ideal for experiencing a first approach to ski mountaineering in complete safety and without excessive effort. In addition, on the official website you will find all the information for renting the necessary equipment (skis with bindings for ski mountaineering, skins, shoes), as well as for contacting guides or registering for courses.
Red roads for enthusiasts
The six red routes, recommended for the most experienced, vary from approximately 400 to 500 meters in altitude. The Lady andArnou d'Ermore than 700 meters above sea level The Blue Line (or The Zigzag)of The violet and of Colorado up to almost 900 meters from Great Wolf (871 days+).
Black roads for experts
There are five routes classified as “black”, intended for expert and trained ski mountaineers, ranging from just over 700 meters of elevation gain to Feather (725 d+) and Zamoreux (757 days+), 873 days+ from Black Cowup to more than a thousand routes called their own The 1000+ (1,009 days+).
For the real experts, there is also: 3,059 days+ of the ascent named not by chance The X'treme (the great challenge), divided into four sections, one of which total length of almost 35 kilometers. A path that requires a lot of resistance and skill, but which promises a high-level ski mountaineering adventure.
SEE THE GALLERY: Crans-Montana in winter: everything you need to know
Ski Rando Parc: the new features for 2024
New this season is the introduction of two new courses in the Ski Rando Parcdesigned to accommodate a wider audience, in particular beginners and families with children wishing to try the experience of ski mountaineering in Crans-Montana
Cheese
Path Cheese it starts from Aminona and extends for 2.1 km with a positive altitude difference of 260 meters. This blue route winds on a route which begins with a moderately inclined road then takes steeper slopes to end at the alpine pasture “La Cave du Sex”, a famous refreshment point located along the summer route which runs along the old canal irrigation of the bisse. of Tsittoret.
The Spring
For more expert skiers, the course The Spring offers a greater challenge. Linking Merbé to Cry d'Er, this 2.5 km red route with a positive altitude difference of 350 meters offers magnificent views of Lake Tseuzier, making it ideal for late-season hikes thanks to its departure in altitude.
SEE ALSO The Ski Rando Parc map
Access to Ski Rando Parc is subject to ski lift opening hours. Outside of these times, the routes are considered closed and the safety of ski mountaineers cannot be guaranteed. It is therefore essential to check the timetables before planning an excursion and to stick to the marked and beaten routes to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
To use Rando Parc without a ski pass, you must purchase a daily pass for 5 francs (around €5) or a season pass for 50 francs (around €50). This ticket allows you to climb the ski mountaineering routes and descend the slopes or use the ski lifts, ensuring a complete and accessible experience for all mountain enthusiasts.
Why can ski mountaineering be practiced safely in Crans-Montana?
Ski Rando Parc allows everyone to practice ski mountaineering without having to carry the safety kit (ARTVA, shovel and probe) which is used (and you have to know how to use it) for skiing in open mountain environments in winter: all the routes are in fact located in safe territory, that is to say not exposed to the danger of avalanches, supervised permanently.
The Ski Rando Parc routes are also accessible to visitors hikers or snowshoes. For those looking for alternatives to ski mountaineering, Crans-Montana offers youa vast network of trails dedicated to hikers and snowshoerswhich allows everyone to enjoy the winter beauty of the region according to their preferences and abilities.
SEE ALSO: Mountain safety: the rules to follow
Relaxation at altitude and night descents
One of the possibilities is to go back from Crans in the same day following the routes 1-Zamoureux (direct), 2-The Blue Line/The Zigzag, 4-The 1000+or, start from Montana with the ski lifts up to 1,719 meters from the Arnouva intermediate station and from there follow the route 6-L’Arnou d’Er or the new 16-The Spring. Objective: reach one of the most fascinating luxury refuges, hotels and restaurants in the Alps: lo Chetzeron.
Simple luxury
Situated in 2,112 meters above sea levelChetzeron is a hotel with a refined design inspired by the idea of alpine simplicity.
Obtained from station of an old disused cable carwas transformed into a restaurant in 2009 and a hotel in 2014.
The structure combines concrete, stone and oak woodwith large windows which highlight the Alpine light and with a spectacular view of the peaks surrounding Crans-Montana.
Skiing in the dark woods
As an alternative to an overnight stay, it can also be organized alone an evening at altitude (all the information here). After dinner you can descend into the valley in a snowcat made available by the establishment. Those who have climbed with skins can opt for one skiing at night with a headlamp: the emotion of the descent in the darkness, following the route of the track lit only by the beams of the torches, is never forgotten.
DISCOVER ALSO: Luxury refuges in the mountains
The first descent on the still virgin slope and other experiences not to be missed
Anyone who stays to sleep at Chetzeron can experience the pleasure of leave the first mark on the slopes the next morningan experience that can also be booked with the package Sunrise and first trackswhich includes privileged access to ski lifts with early opening and breakfast (including daily ski pass).
Sleds, sleds, fatbikes and raclettes
A lot activities bookable online: excursions with dog-pulled sledsI am tasting real Swiss raclette made only with local cheeses produced in different regions of Valais at the restaurant Le Mayen, snowshoe hiking has nighttime sled ridestours in big bike At relax at the Spa according to different formulas.
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