Since the first time I visited Crans-Montana, on a press trip in 2021, I am a fan of this crazy destination. The Valais-Wallis canton is home to many beautiful passes, reservoirs and other climbs and routes where you can get lost to your heart's content. Proverbially then, because actually getting lost is not the intention. In addition, many roads are a 'dead-end', which means you will always find your way back. Now, in recent years I have become more active off the beaten track, literally and figuratively. My gravel bike is increasingly my companion on beautiful adventures. Next September we are going to Crans-Montana again by invitation. This time not only for the beautiful panorama from the road, but also off-road. We will give you some tips in advance.
Alpine gravel to the next level
One thing is for sure: there are very few destinations where you can have a 'bike-in/bike-out'. Now cycling doesn't know this originally ski designation. But if you are in Crans-Montana, you can actually experience next-level alpine gravel right away. After all, you're at an altitude of over 1,400 metres and the alpine meadows are at your feet, so to speak. There are a number of shorter introductory laps around the resort. A short 5km that also goes around Lac Grenon (near the Crans-Montana logo). Then you get right into the mood. No challenging single tracks or anything else here. Ideal if you're here with your family and want a taste of gravelling (at altitude). A slightly more challenging 12km lap also stays within the confines of the resort. Nice, right?
Gravel weekend
Now these are just preliminary firing, as it is so nicely called. On the weekend of 19 to 21 July 2024, Crans-Montana will be in the gravel spheres. A whole new event, GRAAALPS, will then descend on the resort. The main menu of this event is an Ultra-distance ride, starting in southern France and crossing the Alps with finish in Crans-Montana. But the other 'dishes on the menu', are just as cool! Because in this weekend, you have several routes to ride. One of 30km around the resort, 'the discovery', which goes 60km away and then 'the Serious', with 90km and quite a few Alpine altimeters. Poh, das nog eens gaaf! Want to know more about this event? Then take a look at the site of GRAAALPS.
Did someone say Bikepark?
A real Alpine resort has a bike park. We like to make this bold statement. Of course, a bike park is a bit more for the daredevils who want to go hard Downhill. But there are also routes for the lesser daredevils and for when you are in the area with your family, for example a 3.6km through the forest. Lovely with views of the valley. What more could you want would you say?
Jolanda Neff says: 'Ride the Resort'
Swiss mountain bike champion Jolanda Neff is an ambassador for Crans-Montana. That means something. Namely that you can MTB fantastically here. In her ambassadorship, she made a cool four-part youtube series about the MTB possibilities around the resort. Here you can see the real gems, with the beautiful blue-red-black loops of the DH trail. But also the more rural routes. Friend of the show, Steve Morabito, also makes an appearance in the video below. Then it must be top-notch. Should you like to see Jolanda live at work at the resort? Then stay a little longer after the GRAAALPS weekend.
World Cup and World Cup in 2024 and 2025
Because in June 2024, the village will also host the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. Jolanda Neff will probably be at the start herself, but there is a good chance that our 'own' Puck Pieterse and Anne Tauber will also make an appearance. You don't get more off-road than that. Or well: there is something else, namely the World Cup 2025 in Valais. Then Crans-Montana will host the Cross Country (XCO) races for this World Cup. We are writing it down in the diary.
This article was compiled in collaboration with our partner Crans-Montana Tourisme & Congress.
Want to know more about Crans-Montana and read back on our experiences? Then read the following articles:
