Written by Samedi Valpic nr 4 – July 19 –
With 90,000 visitors last winter, the “Chemin des Lanternes” has become the second most popular activity on the Haut-Plateau in the space of 2 years, squeezing in between the 2 historic activities of golf and skiing.
Sébastien Schornoz, president of the “Chemin des Lanternes” association, which manages the event, gave us a brief history of the event, from “Etoile Bella Lui”, the Ferris wheel, to the beginning of the “route”, to this magical path which has become an unmissable pilgrimage, a child’s dream for young and old alike, a world of wonders that is so welcome in our snowy winter landscape.
This time, the formula is right: the lanterns, the animated works of light, the route, the 34 shows, the shepherd’s Mayen, the stalls selling local produce, the treasure hunt, the wishes to the fairy Bella Lui, form a harmonious whole, a symphony that plays on the notes of Christmas markets from Germanic traditions and on those of the lanterns that herald the Lunar New Year in Asia of Chinese culture.
Next winter’s theme is being prepared with a host of new features, and the next one, for 2026-2027, will resonate with the World Ski Championships.
The attractiveness of such events for a destination can be measured on 2 axes: either being the first among many, or being the only or almost the only through its exclusivity.
The figures speak for themselves: 39,000 golf courses worldwide, 6,100 ski resorts, but 30 lantern paths, half of them in Asia. And it’s not for lack of success, since each of these festivals of light attracts an average of 1 million entries a year… But few organizers in the West have thought of revisiting Christmas markets by giving them a broader dimension. Sébastien Schornoz and his team have done just that, much to our delight, in Crans-Montana.
It’s easy to think that success is achieved through lavish budgets, irrigating limitless spending, especially when you consider the powerful financial resources of the Haut-Plateau. Not so! When questioned, President Schornoz announces an order of magnitude of 200 kchf, i.e. a cost of 2.20 chf per entry, to be compared with an immediate expenditure of around 25 chf per entry in the various stands and related activities, i.e. a direct spin-off of over 2 million for the local economy (10 times the investment!!). And if we were to add to these figures the enchantment provided to all visitors, would we say that (good) fortune is only as good as its lanterns?
We all came to the conclusion that the “Chemin des Lanternes” would increasingly illuminate our winters, our families, our friends, our guests, our visitors and our properties, such is the potential of this festival. Today, it’s a realization for all of us to become one with this exceptional event, certainly the most exclusive and the most accessible, which illuminates all our homes in Crans-Montana.
Enchantment is universal. It now has an address!
The full presentation will be available in the Members’ Area / Valpic Saturdays by next week.
Visit https://chemin-des-lanternes.ch
And rent your lantern for the season by becoming a Friend of Chemin des Lanternes on :
https://chemin-des-lanternes.ch/fr/cdl_amis
quickly!