Special treat: LeCrans (0041 27 486 6060; lecrans.com), a smart boutique chalet hotel with fabulous views over the Valais mountains. Doubles from 805 CHF (£542) per night, including breakfast.
Mid range: Four-star Hotel Art de Vivre is near the centre of town. Most have mountain views and south-facing balconies. Doubles from 325 CHF (£218) per night, with breakfast.
Start your day at one of the three main cabine stations, and get there early to beat the ski schools’ day-trippers. If it’s sunny, continue up the mountain to Plaine Morte at just under 9,800ft.
Take lunch at Buvette de l’Alpage de Pépinet (0041 78 722 4390). It is signed from the blue run from Les Violettes. Serves excellent local cured meats. Expect to pay £12 to £14 for a main course.
If you want a quicker lunch, try Cabane des Taules. This is a small and informal self-service café serving goulash soup or raclette at around £8, but there are no lavatories or inside seating.
Go for après-ski at Zerodix (0041 27 481 0090; zerodix.ch), which has an outside bar next to the cable car station in Crans. Skiers congregate on tables set out under large red awnings.
Eat at Chetzeron (0041 27 485 0808; chetzeron.ch), a cable-car station converted into the resort’s trendiest mountain restaurant, with a huge dining terrace and luxurious sunloungers.
