Switzerland Is Europe’s Hottest Pre-Olympics Destination for 2026
Switzerland Is Europe’s Hottest Pre-Olympics Destination for 2026
Open during the winter and summer months, Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, knows what it can do and does it so well. This winter season, the property will be open from December 12 to Mid-March to encapsulate the incredible ski season that Crans-Montana has. For only the second year, Crans-Montana is now accessible via the Epic Ski Pass. This is a new draw to the location for all US skiiers who are looking to plan a truly unforgettable international ski trip this year. Additionally, with the Winter 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics happening not too far away, it is the ideal place to get both your skiing and Olympics fix in.
To kick of this year’s ski season in Crans-Montana, Crans-Montana will host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships which features Downhill Men’s competition on Sunday, February 1st. Situated on a vast plateau at an altitude of nearly 5,000 feet in the Valais, Crans-Montana offers an extraordinary panorama stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. Open 365 days a year, the destination enjoys unique sunshine, with over 300 days of fine weather a year. The dual-town municipality is located less than 3 hours from the airports of Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Milan, Crans-Montana has excellent rail and road links, with four access routes from the valley floor.
The winter prowess of Crans-Montana is unmatched, the same prowess that is available directly during a stay at Guarda Golf. The slopes extend from nearly 5,000 feet up to the Plaine-Morte glacier to almost 10,000 feet above sea level, a downhill and cross-country skiing paradise. The arena is served by 28 lifts and offers enthusiasts over 85 miles of slopes in all challenge categories. The hotel is perfectly located for cross country skiing, a sport that is seeing a revival, offering a ski-in ski-out option onto 10 miles of cross-country skiing trails. As the property is only open during the summer and winter months, the off seasons are spent fully preparing for what is to come.
Keeping up with the family-friendly nature of Crans-Montana summers, the winter offers several events that are suitable for everyone. On Tuesday, February 17, you can find the Crans-Montana carnival filled with costumes, ice-skating at the Ycoor ice rink, games, and more winter favorites. On the same massive ice rink, Crans-Montana hosts “Ice Discos” throughout the winter, the last one being on the same day as Carnival.
At the property, several ski services are available outside of direct, private access to the slopes: secure ski room with boot warmers, skiing lesson reservations, ski-in/ski-out cross-country skiing, tubing, and snow-shoeing. For the surrounding area, Downhill skiing is just the tip of the iceberg: Crans-Montana is the heart of winter sports, with almost every one that you can think of. Envision a true winter adventure with activities like paragliding, husky sledding, torch-lit ski descents, access to a “snow park” with a half-pipe, and more.
