Piste des Vignes - the world's only ski run THROUGH working vineyards

Nowhere else on Earth can you ski through actual working vineyards. The Piste des Vignes descends from the ski area through Valais wine terraces - you literally slalom past dormant Pinot Noir vines while snow dusts the same soil that produces wine in summer. End at a winery tasting room and drink wine from the very vines you just skied past. This is the only experience like it in the world.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Ski Through Actual Working Vineyards Adventure · Price: moderate

   This is the ONLY place on Earth where you ski through working vineyards. As you descend from 3,000m to 1,500m, you'll literally slalom past dormant Pinot Noir and Humagne Rouge vines — the same soil that produces wine in summer is dusted with snow under your skis in winter. Take the gondola from Crans to the top of the ski area (up to 3,000m), then descend the south-facing slopes toward Sierre. The completely south-facing aspect means these vines get maximum sun exposure (300 days/year in Sierre). Look for vine rows as you descend — in winter they're dormant wooden posts with snow between them. The lower you go (below 2,000m), the more pronounced the vineyard terraces become.

   Backup: If snow conditions are poor (Crans-Montana is very sunny, snow can be icy), take the gondola down and WALK through the vineyards instead — you'll see the vines up close without the speed.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Find the Line Where Ski Meets Wine Wine · Free

   There's an actual ALTITUDE LINE where skiing stops and wine country starts — around 1,500m. Above this line: ski resort. Below this line: terraced vineyards producing 60% red grapes (Pinot Noir, Humagne Rouge, Syrah). At the base of the Crans-Montana ski area, around 1,500m altitude, where the lifts end and the vineyards begin, you're standing at the convergence of two industries that normally never meet. Walk to the lowest point of the ski area (bottom of the gondola or funicular) and look downhill. You'll see the clear transition: snow-covered slopes give way to terraced vineyards descending into the Rhône Valley. Take a photo where ski boots meet vine roots.

   Backup: If you can't ski, take the funicular (built 1911, cut mule travel from 4 hours to 1 hour) from Sierre UP to Crans-Montana — you'll see the wine-to-ski transition in reverse.

   Log Memory
3. 3 Taste Wine from the Vines You Just Skied Past Wine · Price: moderate

   The vineyards you just skied through produce Pinot Noir, Humagne Rouge, and Chelinoir (a blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Humagne Rouge). Sierre is Switzerland's driest city (2,171 sunshine hours/year, 300 days of sun) — same sun that melts ski snow creates the fruit concentration in these wines. At any winery in Sierre (10 minutes below Crans-Montana) — try Château de Villa or any producer on the Chemin du Vignoble trail — order a glass of Pinot Noir or Chelinoir from a Crans-Montana or Sierre producer. Ask: 'Which vineyard is this from?' Then point uphill toward where you skied. The answer will probably be within 5km of where your skis were 2 hours ago.

   Backup: If wineries are closed, buy a bottle at Château de Villa's wine shop (780 wines from 120 Valais producers, cellar prices) and drink it at your accommodation while looking at the slopes.

   Log Memory