The two neighbouring resorts of Crans and Montana are situated at an altitude of 1500 m on a sunny plateau high above the Rhone Valley in the canton of Valais. Together they form one of the biggest holiday destinations in the Valais. Crans Montana offers visitors an outstanding Alpine panorama over some of the most beautiful peaks in the Alps, such as the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc and a particularly wide programme of activities all year round. In summer, tourists can play golf on the 18-hole Severiano Ballesteros Golf Course where the international elite meet every year for golfing tournaments. In Winter the golf courses become a paradise for cross-country skiers and hikers. The ski slopes include 30 lifts and 140 km of pistes and stretch from the high plateau up to the Plaine Morte Glacier at 3000 metres above sea level. Particularly popular are the broad carving pistes and the valley descent down the Piste Nationale which, at 12 km, is the longest in the region. In 2006/07, the Nationale piste downhill course was remodelled and two tunnels were added to improve access during competitions.

Crans Montana beyond doubt also benefits from the World Cup ski events organized in winter. The first World Cup competitions for ladies took place in 1977. Ten years later, Crans Montana hosted the FIS World Championships. Despite hosting the FIS World Championships in 1987, a hiatus until 1992 was followed by a further break until 1996 and 1998 when once again it became a World Cup venue. In 2008, Crans Montana successfully organised ladies World Cup races with over 16'000 spectators enthusiastically attending the return of the white circus to the Haut Plateu region in Valais.

This season Crans Montana will host the ladies World Cup just a few days after the Vancouver Olympic Games and in 2011 has been assigned to organize the Junior World Championships.