Cheap holidays in Switzerland – here’s how it works

Holidays in Switzerland? Too expensive!

How many times have I heard this statement in the past few months. Usually followed by a “I’d like to, but…”. Well, quite apart from the fact that certain price differences between Switzerland and its neighbouring countries can be justified – among other things by the higher minimum wages – I would like to refute this general prejudice with a very concrete example. Cheap holidays are not an impossibility, even on the high-price island of Switzerland. So, enough with the platitudes.

Just above the centre of the village of Crans, the Carlton sports club is located right next to the Cry d’Er gondola. The hotel dates back to the 1930s and is now owned by Frosch Sportreisen. The company was founded in the mid-1980s by graduates of the University of Münster with the aim of organising ski trips for students. Over the past thirty years, the company has become a major player in the field of sports and active travel and has also been active on the Swiss market since the beginning of this year. In Switzerland, Frosch Sportreisen owns so-called sports clubs in Davos, Saas Fee, Portes du Soleil, Maloja and Crans-Montana. The word “club” should not be taken too literally.

I was critical at the beginning, but the reservations about the preloaded word quickly subsided. The concept of Frosch Sportreisen is aimed at active people who would like to have a good time with like-minded people and can benefit from the wide range of leisure activities offered by the Frosch supporting programme. In Crans-Montana, the Frosch team on site includes hiking and biking guides who conduct daily guided tours. If you take part in the bike introduction the day after arrival, you can also use the bikes for individual tours. The highlight of the Sportclub Carlton is clearly the climbing wall, which is fixed directly to the building. This is actively used and beginners are also welcome at the trial climbing.

A total of 90 beds are spread over four floors. There are rooms with running water and shared bathrooms, as well as those with an integrated bathroom. The room standard is simple, but clean and generous. The lounge and the roof terrace including sauna with panoramic views are cosy. On a beautiful summer’s day, you meet in the late afternoon on the terrace of the bar, where the local Marmotte beer is sold for 3.50 CHF a bottle, and at 7:00 p.m. sharp, you go together to the dining room, where a four-course menu is served.

The holidays at the Carlton Sports Club put me in a camp mood. The crowd of guests is a colourful mix. In addition to families and couples, there are also some solo travelers. They appreciate the informal atmosphere of the frog concept. You will quickly make friends and, thanks to the guided tours, you don’t necessarily have to explore the area on your own. One of the older regulars even came out as a golfer – you see, everyone will find their place here. Depending on the date, there are also special via ferrata, bike or hiking weeks. I was 100% convinced by the price-performance offer from Frosch – a week’s holiday at the Sportclub Carlton including meals (at the breakfast buffet you can also stock up for the rest of the day) and supporting program is available from 559 CHF during the high season (children from 6 to 16 years 40% discount). Lagomio! What do you say now?

Top tips around Crans-Montana

The outdoor activities around Crans-Montana seem almost inexhaustible. Between the Rhône Valley and the Plaine Morte at almost 3,000 m above sea level, there are countless kilometres of hiking trails, mountain bike trails, downhill trails and one of the oldest golf courses in Switzerland. A week’s holiday is over in no time at all with this abundance of offers and that’s why we met people at the sports club who spontaneously extended their holidays by a week.

#1 walk along the bisses

The classic bisse hike is the Bisse du Tsittoret, which leads from Vermala along the southern slope to the source of the Tièche and from there on to Aminona. From Aminona, take a bus back to Crans. The local buses can be used free of charge. An architectural gem on the way is the hamlet of Colombire, where the combination of traditional and contemporary construction has been skilfully implemented. When the weather is nice, clear, you can enjoy a great panorama of the Valais peaks on the opposite side of the valley along the hiking trail. Thrills are guaranteed on the Bisse du Ro. This hike brings you close to the rocky abysses.

#2 Biking down from the Cry d’Er

Crans-Montana has the reputation of being a biker mecca. In addition to “normal” bike trails, there are also various downhill routes for the “really crazy”. The “Chetzeron Downhill Piste Noire” starts right next to the design hotel Chetzeron – past peaceful grazing Cherens and with a view of the shimmering turquoise Lac de Tseuzier. The terrace of the Chetzeron is perfect for a siesta. The biker sandwich costs 16 CHF and the Marmotte beer is offered here for 7 CHF (you are definitely better off in the sports club with the 3.50 CHF). Only the operation left a lot to be desired. Actually, we wanted to order a dessert, but after we had to wait an incredible 40 minutes – with little activity – we had lost our appetite. The day pass for bikers (unlimited use of the cable car) costs 30 CHF, without a bike you pay 25 CHF as an adult.

#3 Plaster a Valais platter

If the weather is not quite right, or you would like to enjoy an aperitif in a more special ambience, I can recommend the bar of the Crans Ambassador (Route du Petit Signal 3). The Valaisanne Plättli costs 36 CHF, but the ambience and especially the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows make up for it.

#4 visit the largest underground lake in Europe

You can overcome the bad weather with a trip to the largest natural underground lake in Europe in Saint-Léonard. You shouldn’t imagine the 30-minute boat ride across the lake to be too spectacular, but if it’s raining outside anyway, it’s at least dry inside. The entrance fee for adults is 10 CHF. The lake is a 10-minute walk from Saint-Léonard train station.

#5 Stroll through Sion

And if you want to skip the outdoor program for half a day and protect your muscles, you can take the post bus to the capital of the canton of Valais. Between the hills of Valère and Tourbillon, Sion attracts visitors with a charming old town center that invites you to take a stroll.

I was invited by Frosch Sportreisen to visit the Carlton sports club in Crans-Montana. Thank you very much for this! As always, my readers can be sure that I always represent my views and enthusiasm.