SAM Magazine-Crans-Montana, Switz., July 11, 2007-Swiss resort Crans-Montana has embarked on extensive improvements to the mountain's snowmaking system. The resort hopes the upgrades will allow it to provide adequate snow cover with only 70 hours of work when the weather cooperates. The aim is to provide a consistent skiing surface by the Christmas season, a goal that is all the more pressing given the dismal early season conditions that have plagued the Alps over the past few winters.

Crans-Montana is also installing a major replacement lift of nearly 7,000 feet in length that will facilitate links with several sections of the resort. A mid-station will be installed at an altitude of 1,900 m to reduce the effects of low snow cover on the lower slopes. The new lift will also increase in uphill capacity from 1,800 riders per hour to 3,000 per hour, cutting ride time in half compared to the older lift.