Crans-Montana is a municipality in the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. On 1 January 2017 the former municipalities of Chermignon, Mollens, Montana and Randogne merged to form the new municipality of Crans-Montana. Crans-Montana is also a ski resort that was created through the fusion of the two centers of Crans and Montana and belonged to six municipalities (Chermignon, Icogne, Lens, Mollens, Montana and Randogne), four of which merged to form the municipality of Crans-Montana.
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History
Chermignon
Chermignon is first mentioned in 1228 as Chermenon and Chirminon. It became an independent municipality in 1905 when it separated from Lens.
Mollens
Mollens is first mentioned about 1250 as Molaen. In 1286 it was mentioned as Moleing. The municipality was formerly known by its German name Molei, however, that name is no longer used.
Montana
Montana is first mentioned in 1243 as Montana. In 1905 it separated from Lens to form an independent municipality.
Randogne
Randogne is first mentioned in 1224 as Randonni.
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The ski resort
The resort is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps in the French-speaking part of the canton of Valais. It is located on a plateau above Sierre at an elevation of about 1,500 m (4,920 ft) above sea level, allowing good view over the Valais Alps and Weisshorn in particular. The resort is a fusion of the two centers of Crans and Montana and belongs to 6 municipalities (Chermignon, Icogne, Lens, Mollens, Montana and Randogne).
The skiing area of Crans-Montana is composed of 140 km (87 mi) of pistes, and includes the glacier of Plaine Morte. It is topped by the Pointe de la Plaine Morte at 2,927 m (9,600 ft).
Crans-Montana is famous in alpine ski racing for the 1987 World Championships and is often on the World Cup schedule, usually for women's speed events. It also hosts the only winter mountain pop rock festival Caprices Festival and the second largest European golf event Omega European Masters, (an event from the European and Asian Tour) which takes place each September. The resort has also been frequently used for bicycle racing, hosting stage finishes of the Tour de Suisse seven times and of the Tour de Romandie eight times as of 2013. In addition Crans-Montana also hosted the finish of the 20th stage of the 1984 Tour de France, won by Laurent Fignon, who also took the overall race win that year.
Geography
Crans-Montana has an area, as of 2009, of 59.66 km2 (23.03 sq mi).
Population
The new municipality has a population (as of December 2015) of 10,931.
Historic Population
The historical population is given in the following chart:
Heritage sites of national significance
The Roches des Fées and the Hotel Bella Lui are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Climate
Between 1961 and 1990 Montana had an average of 110.5 days of rain or snow per year and on average received 982 mm (38.7 in) of precipitation. The wettest month was December during which time Montana received an average of 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain or snow. During this month there was precipitation for an average of 9.9 days. The month with the most days of precipitation was January, with an average of 10.4, but with only 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain or snow. The driest month of the year was September with an average of 51 mm (2.0 in) of precipitation over 6.8 days. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Montana has a Tundra climate, abbreviated "ET" on climate maps.
Notable people
English actor Roger Moore has owned a chalet at the ski resort for many years since moving from Gstaad; Sophia Loren had an apartment overlooking the 8th green of the resort's golf course, Crans-Sur-Sierre. Grand-Duke Henri of Luxembourg, French chef and restaurateur Michel Roux, golfers Adam Scott, Ángel Gallardo, Sergio García along with Francesco and Edoardo Molinari also have homes there.
- Elizabeth von Arnim (1866-1941), Australian-born British novelist, lived in Randogne 1910-1930
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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