Where to Go When Heading Off-Piste in Crans-Montana

What exactly can you do in a ski-resort town when there’s no snow? That’s a question you might ask if you ever head east through the mountains and valleys outside Geneva to Crans-Montana. Well-known as a great ski destination, the municipality is close to Sion and – as is typical of the region – has a dual identity, with locals speaking both French and German. You’ll also find a smattering of Italian in various places, so there’s a welcoming mix of influences everywhere you roam.

And if you’re looking for a destination full of great views, incredible scenery and an authentic introduction to Alpine culture, here’s more on why a trip to this part of Switzerland needs to be on your list soon.

The Valais region – where you’ll find Crans-Montana – is best known for producing wine. The local varieties tend to have a fizzy aftertaste, which is actually rather pleasant on the tongue. As with any fine wine, you’ll need to find the perfect dining option to pair with your glass, and there are some great restaurants in Crans-Montana that make the most of local ingredients and authentic Swiss cuisine.

In the centre of town you’ll find any number of welcoming and affordable establishments offering satisfying fondues and fresh cuts of meat. As is the style here, you can cook everything at your table in most restaurants and then slather it in cheese for good measure. This all works well as après-ski fun too – but there’s somewhere else you should head if you want to make the most of the sunshine when the slopes are closed.

Up in the hills and mountains you’ll find bisses (old irrigation channels). These structures might not have the grandeur of other attractions, but they do serve a purpose even to this day. You can walk the many trails that follow the routes these small water canals take through the mountains and you’ll find yourself in the heart of the spectacular Crans-Montana wilderness, where snow-covered peaks and lush forests transport you to a different world entirely. The sheer number of giant mountains here is bewildering, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a bad view for miles around. Brave hikers can even take on the sheer cliffs of Bisse du Ro, where rickety wooden bridges lead to remote vantage points.

This setting is the unlikely home of one of the finest restaurants in the country. From the outside, the chalets dotted around Le Relais de Colombire look rather unassuming – stay in them if you’re willing to forgo the creature comforts of a larger hotel – but the real star here is the Colombire restaurant. Take a wheel of freshly baked raclette and devour it on the terrace in a space that comes with sun loungers – hinting at the great weather you can get here. Head down the narrow stairs – and make sure you do – to an indoor space that can fit up to 50 diners. The concrete bunker style is deliberate, and the huge window carved into the side of the structure provides a jaw-dropping vista to admire over the best local dishes around.

A summer trip to a renowned ski resort such as Crans-Montana might not automatically spring to mind, but whatever time of year you visit this delightful corner of Switzerland you’ll be surprised by how welcoming it is.