Crans-Montana Launches Fully Flexible Booking Options For 2020-21 Winter Ski Season

Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has launched a number of initiatives designed to allow skiers and snowboarders to book their holiday with fully flexible conditions that provide full refunds or vouchers in the event that Covid-19 restrictions force a cancellation.

Swiss resort of Crans-Montana introduces fully refundable hotel booking system (HOTELPASS) in the event of Covid-19 related issues
A new lift pass scheme also offers total flexibility to choose whether to ski, or not to ski on a daily basis
Further new lift pass bookings system allows skiers to purchase at lower prices in advance – with full refunds available in the event of Covid-19 related issues

A number of participating hotels will, in the event of a Swiss border closure or closure of the ski resort due to Covid-19, provide full refunds for any bookings under a scheme called HOTELPASS. If a booking is affected by quarantine restrictions, either in-bound into Switzerland or on return home, then a voucher for the full amount, valid for 2 years, will be issued.

Separately, a new lift pass scheme offering two different options has been launched. Guests staying in Crans-Montana hotels can decide on the day whether they will go skiing or not and purchase their passes directly from the hotel reception at a subsided rate of CHF 49 (approx. £41) for adults, a discount of 45% on the usual price of CHF 89 and CHF 28 for children between 10 and 16 (approx.. £23), a discount of 40%. Children under 10 years of age are free.

Another scheme allows visitors to purchase their lift passes in advance through the Mycma portal (www.mycma.ch/en/) with heavily reduced prices available – the earlier the cheaper. Prices are up to 85% lower than when purchased in resort. For example, a 6 day lift pass purchased now (end of October 2020) starting on March 14 2021, costs CHF 131, a saving of CHF 318 (68%) off the normal price of CHF 465. Normal terms and conditions state that these lift passes are non-refundable, but in the case of Covid-19 related cancellations a full refund will be provided.

Details for the Hotel Pass scheme can be found here: webshop.crans-montana.ch/en/hotelpass

The resort is also preparing for winter with a packed program of events and activities.

Despite the enormous challenges that the Covid-19 global crisis has brought to all tourism destinations, Crans-Montana and its team of staff have been working tirelessly to ensure a safe environment for its guests when it opens up for skiing on December 7 (skiing in Crans-Montana will start when conditions allow and this could be before December 7).

The resort has planned a number of events scheduled to run through the winter – here are some of the highlights:

Etoile Bella Lui – the family festival in the mountains. Now postponed until February 5 to 28, 2021
As the snow falls and the light fades, the legendary fairy star of Bella Lui appears and guides a shepherd to a lost sheep in order to save its life. This ancient local story forms the premise for a family festival that moves from December to February. In the centre of Crans-Montana, a chalet village packed full of artisan food and crafts is dominated by a 33 metre Ferris wheel. Just beneath, storytellers, street artists, light shows, ice sculptures, fashion shows and a variety of concerts take place. Wonder through the enchanted lantern trail where children can place their wishes in a box for the Bella Lui star fairy.
www.etoilebellalui.ch/en

Men’s Night Slalom Race - Elite invitational event. December 29, 2020 (confirmed)
The world’s very best male slalom racers, including Great Britain’s Dave Ryding, descend on Crans-Montana for this invitational night race on the World Cup piste. Due to Covid restrictions, spectators won’t be able to gather in crowds, but it won’t stop the athletes performing at their best. As well as Ryding, who placed 2^nd during the 2019 race, World Cup stars including Clement Noel (FR), Ramon Zenhäusern (SUI) and Daniel Yule (SUI) will feature on the floodlit course.
www.skicm-cransmontana.ch/en/home

Women’s World Cup Downhill Race – Audi FIS Ski WC Women event. January 23 and 24, 2020
During two days at the end of January, it’s the turn of the elite women to race in the third instalment of the 2021 Alpine World Cup Downhill competition. The course, on the Mont-Lachaux piste, is often regarded as the toughest on the women’s downhill racing tour, where skiers negotiate a serious of steep sweeping bends and jumps, sometimes at speeds of over 100 km/h. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the usual grandstand area and fan zone, presentation ceremonies and after party, will not be taking place. Fans in the UK will be able to follow the action on Eurosport.
www.skicm-cransmontana.ch/en/home

Winter Trail Des Patrouilleurs – winter trail running race for all adults and juniors. January 17, 2020
For keen trail runners from the ages of 14 years upwards, two distances – 10k and 20k with elite and masters categories for men and women as well as the junior section, this trail race is a winter edition of the popular Trail Des Patrouilleurs that takes place during the autumn. With 500m and 800m vertical climbs respectively, the run (or fast walk if preferred) will challenge all levels of runner. The 20k race starts at 9am and the 10k at 9.45am, both races finishing at the driving range – which like the entire course, will be covered in snow.
www.wintertrail.ch

Covid-19 winter information:

Crans-Montana is planning to open its ski season as usual and implement a variety of Covid-19 safety measures that include mandatory mask wearing inside cables cars and extra hand sanitising stations.

Since 6 July 2020, anyone entering Switzerland from a country or area with a high risk of infection (this currently includes the UK) has been legally mandated to go into quarantine for ten days. The full list of countries and further information can be found on this page > Swiss Embassy info

Hotels participating in the HOTELPASS scheme:

Budget hotels