The ski resort of Crans-Montana, where a fire at a bar is believed to have killed dozens and injured about 100 more, is more than a century old and is known as a high-end destination popular with families and international visitors.
The resort is about 120 miles east of Geneva in the French-speaking Valais region, and offers sweeping views from a plateau above the Rhone Valley. It is famed for gourmet restaurants, luxury stores and hosting big sporting events, including World Cup ski races and major golf tournaments. It was scheduled to host the men’s and women’s World Cup races later this month.
In 2024, Vail Resorts, the world’s biggest ski resort operator, bought Crans-Montana with plans to invest heavily to update its infrastructure, including in snow-making facilities. The acquisition was Vail’s second European purchase, after it bought Andermatt-Sedrun, another Swiss resort, in 2022.
About 3 million people visit Crans-Montana each year, according to the resort’s website. Most of them are from Switzerland, but about a fifth of its clientele are international tourists, led by Italian and French visitors. The authorities said the victims of the fire were likely of many nationalities.
“It’s a very chic international resort,” said Amin Momen, the founder of Momentum Experiences, a London-based travel company that organizes corporate ski events, including in Crans-Montana. Roger Moore, the late James Bond actor, had a home there for many years.
December, Mr. Momen added, would have been a popular time for families to holiday there.
Le Constellation was a “casual” spot, he said, rather than the type of luxury nightspot that the resort is known for. The bar was big, with an upstairs and downstairs area, he said, adding that foreign visitors often went there to watch sports, like Premier League soccer.
The bar was also popular with young people, according to SRF, Switzerland’s public broadcaster.
Aurelien Breeden and Christopher F. Schuetzecontributed reporting.
Isabella Kwai is a Times reporter based in London, covering breaking news and other trends.
The post Crans-Montana is a Historic Swiss Ski Resort Popular with International Tourists appeared first on New York Times.
