Crans-sur-Sierre
The resort of Crans-sur-Sierre, lying at an altitude of 1,500 m, is located near several small lakes (Etangs de Lens) to the west of Crans Montana. It is famous for its great ski facilities in the winter and its annual golf tournaments (played on one 9- and one 18-hole golf courses) in the summer. This resort also offers hang-gliding, hot air balloon flights and other recreational opportunities during the summer season. A cable car from Crans ascends Bella Lui (2,543 m) in 25 minutes, from where there are panoramic views. Another cable car reaches Chetzeron in 13 minutes. From here there is a ski lift to the Cry d'Err. Vermala
Less than 2 km to the north of Montana is Vermala, a quaint resort village with a ski-jump. A cable car from Vermala goes up to the Swiss Alpine Club's Cabane des Violette. From there another cable car ascends the Plaine Morte, which is situated above the Plaine Morte glacier's southern end. This area is popular for summer skiing. Aletsch Glacier
One of the best-known natural attractions in this region is the Aletsch Glacier, which has been classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is 23 km long, which makes it the biggest glacier in the Alps. There is a bigger one on the Scandinavian peninsula. Aletsch Glacier starts at Jungfraujoch. There is a panoramic view of the whole glacier from the Eggershorn. In fact, the Aletsch consists of three glaciers the Eveehneuelt (right), the Aletsch (left) and the Jungfrau vein. The three join at Concordia, where the glacier moves at over half a meter daily (200 m a year). Matterhorn
The Matterhorn is the most widely recognized mountain in the Pennine Alps range, generally due to its unusual pyramid shape. It is located in Valais canton near Crans Montana, on the border of Italy and Switzerland. Each of the four faces of Matterhorn is turned toward a point on the compass. The south and north faces meet, forming a summit. Almost every ridge of the mountain is craggy, perilous and steep. Matterhorn is simply a pyramid of rock. Snow and ice rarely cover any mountain area for long, as the frequent avalanches wipe them away. The most popular climbing trail is the Hornli ridge on the Swiss side of the mountain.