Off-Road Driving in Crans Montana: A Weekend with Defender

Let’s Start with a Quiz!
What percentage of Defenders built over the last 77 years (including predecessor models under the Land Rover name) are still in use today?

35%
54%
75%

The answer? 75%!

That’s an astonishing number, proving that longevity is a key factor when choosing a vehicle. Whether electric or not, the real question when buying a car should be: What resources are needed to build it, and how long will you actually use it?

With that thought in mind, let’s dive into a fabulous weekend in Crans Montana, organized by Defender.

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Welcome to Crans Montana
Nestled in the Swiss Alps, Crans Montana is a picture-perfect mountain resort known for its charming chalets, traditional geranium-filled balconies, and breathtaking views. Whether you visit in winter for skiing or in summer for hiking, this place is pure alpine magic.

For 24 hours, we had the privilege of experiencing Defender’s off-road adventure, and the weather couldn’t have been better. We were joined by Marc Cameron,  the global head of Defender, and Switzerland CEO Damian Donnellan (two authentic British gentlemen). It’s not that these guys are attending every event…I felt quite lucky to spend the day with them, and have the chance to ask whatever I was curious about.

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Breaking the Ice (Literally and Figuratively)
I love the British, and I was expecting some dry humor from Marc and Damian. But before getting into deep conversations, I had to do what any annoying blogger does— ask them to film me. Once that was out of the way, I got to ask some real questions about the business.

For example: Is the Defender really successful in terms of sales?

Their response was eye-opening:
– In 2015,  only 10,000 predecessor Defenders were sold per year.
– In 2025, that number has skyrocketed to 120,000 per year.

That’s 12 times more in just a decade.

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Fun Fact: Defender’s “Flight Mode”
Here’s something straight out of a James Bond movie —the new Defender Octa has a flight mode. Yes, you read that right. Thanks to its 6D Dynamic system, it can sense when all wheels are airborne and preload the system for an optimized landing.

So, even if you’re not 007, your Defender is ready for action.

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Time to Get Dirty: Off-Road Driving
Now, it was time to test our skills. Suddenly, tilting the car in a curve or kicking up dust off-road didn’t seem so impossible anymore.

We were a convoy of 16 Defenders, guided by three instructors —all dressed in black, speaking English and the four Swiss languages, and holding walkie-talkies to give us instructions in multiple languages. They looked the part —like a mix between rally drivers and secret agents.

My husband? Totally relaxed, even when driving through mud and grass, where some people had gotten stuck the day before. Me? A total wimp.

When I heard that the critical tilting point for a car is 35 degrees, and I saw 26 degrees on the Defender’s screen, my stomach turned weak. But we made it— twice. I was very quiet, though!

Luxury Meets Adventure: Chetzeron Hotel
After half a day of off-road madness, we arrived at Hotel Chetzeron. a former ski lift station turned into a luxurious mountain retreat.

The views? Spectacular.  The decor? Minimalist wood and glass, ensuring that the mountains remain the focal point.

We had a choice of activities:
Archery
Massage
Mountain biking
Photography
Relaxing by the pool, overlooking 50% of the highest peaks in the Alps.

I chose the last two—and even squeezed in some yoga in my room. Talk about a view.

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Defender’s Contribution to Nature
Defender is helping maintain a nearby park (which one? Still need to find out!). A biologist explained how the hotel’s food is sourced locally, including:
Local gin

The famous Swiss dish “Cholera” (a savory pie with potatoes, apples, leeks, and cheese)

He ended with a sentence that stuck with me:

“When you are in such a place, in front of majestic nature, it’s the only moment you have no wish.”

For a few seconds, all you can do is say “Wow.”

Even the photographer pointed out how patterns in nature repeat—in human bodies, leaves, animals, see the Fibonacci Spiral —and how we instinctively love images that replicate those shapes.

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Defender’s Legacy: More Than Just Cars
Beyond off-road adventures, Defender has been partnered with the British Red Cross for over 70 years, improving the lives of more than 2 million people in over 50 countries.

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Final Thoughts: More Than Just Marketing
Yes, this weekend was about marketing. But did it inspire me? Absolutely.

It made me appreciate the Defender brand in a way I hadn’t before. If they wanted to sell the idea to me, they managed!

Thank you Remy Fabrikant for the fabulous organisation of the event.