Crans-Montana

Crans-Montana sits on a plateau at 1,500 metres looking straight across the Rhône valley at the Weisshorn and the Matterhorn beyond. Because it faces south from a terrace rather than sitting in a valley, it gets sun all day through the winter, which is the single reason people choose it over deeper resorts.

It is unusually complete: the ski area above, one of the best-known golf courses in the Alps on the plateau itself, and the Bisse du Ro path along the cliff for hiking. Summer here is as busy as winter, which is rare.