Crans-Montana ski resort
Crans-Montana is a ski resort in the canton of Valais, in the municipality of Crans-Montana. The village sits at 1500 m and the ski area tops out at 2927 m (Plaine Morte), a vertical drop of 1427 m. The forecast at the top of the page is computed for the village altitude; the “Summit weather” section gives temperature, snow, wind and freezing level at 2927 m.
Snow and season in Crans-Montana
Between 1500 and 2000 m, winters are long and snowy and summers short and cool; the snow line often drops below the village in winter.
To judge conditions, compare the snow line (≈ 300 m below the freezing level) with the village (1500 m) and the slopes (2927 m); above 50–60 km/h of summit wind, exposed lifts may close; a warm front lifts the freezing level within hours, a cold front brings snow down to the valley.
Climate of Crans-Montana: 1991–2020 normals
In Crans-Montana (1500 m), the mean annual temperature is 5.8 °C. The warmest month is July (14.5 °C on average) and the coldest January (−2.3 °C). About 934 mm of precipitation falls per year, peaking in December (105 mm) with a minimum in September (58 mm). The sun shines for about 2120 hours a year, mostly in July (241 h). On average there are 135 frost days per year. The mean monthly maximum reaches 26.7 °C and the absolute minimum −13.0 °C.
Mean monthly precipitation (mm) — bar height relative to the wettest month.
| Month | Mean T | Abs. max | Abs. min | Precip. (mm) | Sunshine (h) | Frost days | Summer days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | −2.3 °C | 8.3 °C | −12.9 °C | 92 | 132 | 28 | 0 |
| Feb | −2.0 °C | 9.5 °C | −13.0 °C | 76 | 140 | 24 | 0 |
| Mar | 1.4 °C | 13.4 °C | −9.9 °C | 65 | 180 | 20 | 0 |
| Apr | 4.8 °C | 17.1 °C | −6.2 °C | 58 | 187 | 12 | 0 |
| May | 8.9 °C | 21.7 °C | −1.4 °C | 85 | 198 | 2 | 0 |
| Jun | 12.6 °C | 25.5 °C | 2.0 °C | 79 | 218 | 0 | 2 |
| Jul | 14.5 °C | 26.7 °C | 4.6 °C | 86 | 241 | 0 | 5 |
| Aug | 14.3 °C | 26.3 °C | 3.9 °C | 92 | 229 | 0 | 4 |
| Sep | 10.4 °C | 21.6 °C | 0.7 °C | 58 | 197 | 1 | 0 |
| Oct | 6.6 °C | 18.1 °C | −3.3 °C | 64 | 165 | 6 | 0 |
| Nov | 1.7 °C | 13.3 °C | −8.6 °C | 75 | 119 | 16 | 0 |
| Dec | −1.4 °C | 9.1 °C | −11.9 °C | 105 | 114 | 25 | 0 |
| Year | 5.8 °C | 26.7 °C | −13.0 °C | 934 | 2120 | 135 | 12 |
Source: MeteoSwiss open data (1991–2020 normals) — stations Montana (5 km, 1423 m), Adelboden (18 km, 1321 m), Sion (19 km, 482 m), adjusted to the elevation of Crans-Montana (1500 m) using a 0.55 °C/100 m lapse rate. Indicative, rounded values.
Nearby ski resorts
- Weather Anzère (6 km · 1500–2420 m)
- Weather Lenk (11 km · 1068–2100 m)
- Weather Vercorin (12 km · 1320–2370 m)
- Weather Chandolin (12 km · 1936–3025 m)
- Weather Leukerbad (13 km · 1411–2700 m)
- Weather Adelboden (15 km · 1350–2362 m)
Nearby municipalities
- Weather Icogne
- Weather Noble-Contrée
- Weather Salgesch
- Weather Lens
- Weather Sierre
- Weather Inden
- Weather Chippis
- Weather Arbaz
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Crans-Montana
How high is Crans-Montana?
The village of Crans-Montana is at 1500 m and the ski area rises to 2927 m (Plaine Morte), a vertical drop of 1427 m.
What is the temperature difference between the village and the summit in Crans-Montana?
Expect about 9 °C less at the summit (2927 m) than in the village (1500 m), using the mean lapse rate of 0.6 °C per 100 m. The “Summit weather” section shows the forecast computed at 2927 m.
When does it snow in Crans-Montana?
In the village (1500 m) the mean temperature stays below 2 °C from November to March (1991–2020 normals), when precipitation mostly falls as snow. Higher up, snow can fall in any season.
Where can I see the weather on the slopes of Crans-Montana?
The “Summit weather” section on this page gives, for Plaine Morte (2927 m), min/max temperature, 7-day snowfall, wind and gusts, plus the freezing level and the estimated snow line.
What is the warmest month in Crans-Montana?
The warmest month in Crans-Montana is July, averaging 14.5 °C (1991–2020 normal). The coldest is January at −2.3 °C.
How much does it rain in Crans-Montana per year?
Crans-Montana receives about 934 mm of precipitation a year. The wettest month is December (105 mm), the driest September (58 mm).
When is the best time to visit Crans-Montana?
For warmth and sunshine: July (14.5 °C on average, 241 h of sun). The coldest month is January (−2.3 °C). Check the 15-day forecast above for your dates.