Vail Resorts is set to add Crans-Montana Mountain Resort in Switzerland to its growing portfolio, its second ski resort in Europe.

The company entered into an agreement to acquire 84% ownership stake in Remontées Mécaniques Crans Montana Aminona (CMA) SA, which controls and operates all the resort’s lifts and supporting mountain operations, including four retail and rental locations. It is also acquiring an 80% ownership stake in SportLife AG, which operates one of the ski schools at the resort, as well as 100% ownership of 11 restaurants located on and around the mountain.

Crans-Montana spans over 1,400 metres of skiable vertical terrain, and 140 kilometres of trails. Accessible from five airports and by train, it’s located in the Valais canton of Switzerland, approximately two and a half hours from Geneva and less than four hours from Milan and Zurich. The resort is also two and a half hours away from the company’s other owned and operated European resort in Andermatt-Sedrun.

Several signature events are hosted at the resort, including the Ski World Cup, Mountain Bike World Cup, Omega European Masters, the Caprices Festival and more. The commune of Crans-Montana features gourmet restaurants and luxury retail stores, as well as five-star hotels including the recently developed Six Senses lodge and spa, a luxury 45-room ski-in, ski-out, chalet-style property situated above the main gondola. 

Vail Resorts plans to include access to Crans-Montana Mountain Resort on select Epic Pass for the 2024-25 ski and ride season. Crans-Montana Mountain Resort will not be included on the Epic Pass for any remaining part of the 2023-24 ski and ride season after the deal closes. The Epic Pass currently provides access to Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, as well as European partner resorts, including five days at Verbier4Vallées in Switzerland, seven days at Les 3 Vallées in France, seven days at Skirama Dolomiti in Italy and three days at Ski Arlberg in Austria, with specific details available at www.epicpass.com.

The transaction is expected to close during the 2023-24 ski and ride season. Operations at Crans-Montana Mountain Resort for the 2023-24 winter season will continue as normal.

Source: Travelweek