European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 4, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A a a a. A a a a a a. A. A / Switzerland Quot a i a the vast ski resort of crans Montana offers 100 mites of runs and 50 lifts. By Chuck Roberts staff writer big is better at crans Montana. Situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps crans Montana can seem As vast As its stateside namesake to skiers negotiating the resort s 100 Miles of runs and so lifts. If you re there for Only a weekend trip you could ski a different run each time Down and still not cover the entire Mountain. Because of its enormous size Snow conditions Don t. Have to be perfect for Quality skiing. For example in february the lower half of the Mountain was closed a a because of Lousy Snow conditions. That would cause my or a i extremely limited skiing at Many ski resorts but at Mihi crans Montana enough open runs remained for a goo weekend on the slope it s big. It s Classy and a great stress Buster crans Montana resembles some of the major ski resorts in the United states. If offers fast comfortable lifts that get you quickly to the top of its 9,900-foot Summit. But with Comfort comes added Cost lift tickets Aren t cheap. A Day pass costs 44 francs about $30 for adults and 26 francs about $17 for children. But for some people that s a Small Price to pay for a Quality product. Quot everything is very easy Quot said Micheline cabby who has been a regular at crans Montana for 25 years cabby said that the easy Access to parking shopping and skiing combined with lots of Sunshine keeps her family coming Back for More. Quot it s just Ideal Quot said Pauline Kohli who was so captivated by the spectacular scenery and variety of activities available that she bought a Smyl apartment in the town below. Quot there s always something to do both in the summer and Winter Quot said the British native who now lives about two hours away in Geneva. Quot the Young ones love it up Here but i think for All Ages it s great. It s a Classy  Kohli said she uses crans Montana As he great escape when the stress of City life becomes overbearing. Somehow those big problems in the City seem to dwindle when standing at the top of the Mountain she said. Kohli likes her skiing Nice and slow so she stays More toward the Bottom of the slopes. There Areri t a lot of Black runs at crans Montana but expert skiers will find plenty of Good bumps and challenging runs. The resort was the site of the 1987 world championships. But the fun does t end when the Snow is gone. Kohli said the golfing hiking swimming and sunbathing make crans Montana just As enjoyable in the summertime. There will be lots of activities this summer because the town is celebrating its 100th anniversary. 14 stripes Magazine March 4, 1993. A amps photos by Dave Casey this is a fairly easy lift at the resort a despite what the facial expressions say. A amps travel Erst tips a getting there from autobahn 9 n9crans Montana is accessible by taking the exits from Sion or Sierre but the Sierre is recommended. Remember that autobahn signs Are Green. A hotels rates for a double room Cost about $86 in Low season nov. 28-dec. 18 and Jan. 2-feb. 5$105 in mid season feb. 6 to april 23 and $133 in High season dec 19 to Jan. 2a Day care there Are two Day care centers and three nurseries. A things to do for those looking for no skiing events there s free Bridge play every afternoon from 3 . At the Aida Castel notel. There s also ice skating at the Halle de Glace d Ocoor in Montana and at the Pat Noire do sporting in crans a gastronomical rendezvous every wednesday in one of the resort hotels daily horseback Riding other events include the luge Curling swimming balloon rides and paragliding. A tourist offices crans 027-412132, fax 027-411794 Montana 027-413041, fax 027-417460. When calling from outside Switzerland add the country code for your area and drop the 0 from the 027 area code. The country code from Germany Italy and Belgium is 0041 for England 01041 for the Netherlands 0941. A Best Deal go with a ski dub. You la probably save a lot of Money on hotel and lift prices and you can leave the driving to them. A Chuck Roberts crans Montana offers fast comfortable lifts hat que Etc a gof to the top of its 9,900-foot Summit above. A ski instructor left s checks out his Young pupils. One of a number of eateries open to hungry skiers. March 4, 1993 stripes Magazine is