Ski Resort Guide
Cervinia
Cervinia Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
Cervinia is one of Italy's most important resorts and has carved a niche as a rather upmarket enclave, perhaps in part because of its cross-border link to Zermatt in Switzerland. The resort is named after Monte Cervino, the Italian name for the Matterhorn, which it sits below.
It is also significant in ski history generally because this was one of the first resorts to be ‘purpose built' (more or less from scratch) in the 1930s. It also remains one of Europe's highest resorts, and with the ski lifts linking up to 3,899m (12,792ft) - Europe's highest lift-served point, Cervinia can offer something in the way of guaranteed snow.
In fact it is open for winter sports through the summer months with access to Zermatt's glacier skiing with some on its side of the border too. The summer vertical is usually the biggest available anywhere, just as the huge winter one is - providing a 15km (8.5-mile) long run.
It is also significant in ski history generally because this was one of the first resorts to be ‘purpose built' (more or less from scratch) in the 1930s. It also remains one of Europe's highest resorts, and with the ski lifts linking up to 3,899m (12,792ft) - Europe's highest lift-served point, Cervinia can offer something in the way of guaranteed snow.
In fact it is open for winter sports through the summer months with access to Zermatt's glacier skiing with some on its side of the border too. The summer vertical is usually the biggest available anywhere, just as the huge winter one is - providing a 15km (8.5-mile) long run.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 2,050m (6,726ft).
Top elevation: Cervinia: 3,480m (11,417ft); International (with Zermatt): 3,899m (12,792ft).
Base elevation: Cervinia: 2,050m (6,726ft); International: 1,524m (5,000ft).
Number of lifts: Cervinia: 24; International: 56.
Number of runs: Cervinia: 58; International: 132.
Average annual snowfall: 10m (33ft).
Where in the world?
Cervinia is at the head of the Aosta Valley of the Alps, on the western side of northern Italy, right on the border with Switzerland.
Hit the slopes
The altitude and glaciers mean the season can start in October and lasts until the beginning of May. Then snow sports begin again in mid June and continue through to mid September for summer skiing.
Cervinia's skiing is spread over wide treeless slopes climbing up to the Swiss border. Most of the remaining drag lifts have been replaced in recent seasons by state-of the-art chairs.
Beginners have a snowsure nursery area right next to the resort. Cervinia's high altitude means that this should be snow covered all winter, whereas in many traditional resorts at lower altitude, nursery slopes may only be open a month or two in midwinter.
Intermediates have the most slopes to enjoy with some of the world's longest reds, including a 15km (9 mile) run back down to the resort from Plateau Rosa.
Thanks to the lift link with Zermatt, advanced skiers and boarders have enough exciting steep terrain on and off piste to keep them happy all season. Heli-skiing is also popular with vertical descents of around 3,000m (just under 10,000ft) possible in good conditions - the largest in the Alps.
Cervinia's skiing is spread over wide treeless slopes climbing up to the Swiss border. Most of the remaining drag lifts have been replaced in recent seasons by state-of the-art chairs.
Beginners have a snowsure nursery area right next to the resort. Cervinia's high altitude means that this should be snow covered all winter, whereas in many traditional resorts at lower altitude, nursery slopes may only be open a month or two in midwinter.
Intermediates have the most slopes to enjoy with some of the world's longest reds, including a 15km (9 mile) run back down to the resort from Plateau Rosa.
Thanks to the lift link with Zermatt, advanced skiers and boarders have enough exciting steep terrain on and off piste to keep them happy all season. Heli-skiing is also popular with vertical descents of around 3,000m (just under 10,000ft) possible in good conditions - the largest in the Alps.
Beyond the slopes
Cervinia has a good range of activities besides skiing and boarding. There's a sports centre, cinema, bowling and ice skating.
On the snow, options include snowshoeing, snow biking, and airboard (a kind of inflatable sledge) or toboggan rental.
There is a natural ice rink and you can also visit an ice grotto on the Klein Matterhorn. Other outdoor options are paragliding, ice climbing, ski mountaineering, snowmobiling and horse riding.
On the snow, options include snowshoeing, snow biking, and airboard (a kind of inflatable sledge) or toboggan rental.
There is a natural ice rink and you can also visit an ice grotto on the Klein Matterhorn. Other outdoor options are paragliding, ice climbing, ski mountaineering, snowmobiling and horse riding.
Family fun
Cervinia's wide and generally easy pistes are family friendly, as are its mostly chair and cabin lifts.
Biancaneve (located near the ticket office and cable car station) accepts children from birth to age 10 in its non-ski nursery. There are three ski schools, with the Cervino Ski School operating a ski kindergarten for children aged four and older.
Biancaneve (located near the ticket office and cable car station) accepts children from birth to age 10 in its non-ski nursery. There are three ski schools, with the Cervino Ski School operating a ski kindergarten for children aged four and older.
Retail therapy
Cervinia's shopping opportunities are definitely above the ski resort norm, with about 70 shops in town, including some stylish fashion outlets and jewellers for the well-heeled clientele.
Beyond these there is the usual selection of ski and souvenir stores, food market, photographers, bakers, butchers and a shoe shop.
Beyond these there is the usual selection of ski and souvenir stores, food market, photographers, bakers, butchers and a shoe shop.
Après ski
Cervinia can be lively at weekends and during holiday periods when the in-crowd from Turin and Milan are in town, but equally it can be very quiet in the week. There are 30 or so bars to choose from.
Lo Yeti, Via Jean Baptiste Bich 10, is one of the more popular choices, and the Dragon Bar, Via Jean Baptiste Bich 3, tends to attract North Europeans, particularly for its satellite TV coverage of big sports events. Bianconiglio is one of two clubs and livens up after midnight.
Lo Yeti, Via Jean Baptiste Bich 10, is one of the more popular choices, and the Dragon Bar, Via Jean Baptiste Bich 3, tends to attract North Europeans, particularly for its satellite TV coverage of big sports events. Bianconiglio is one of two clubs and livens up after midnight.
Eating out
There are more than 50 restaurants in and around Cervinia so there's plenty of choice, including several gourmet establishments.
La Chandelle, Via Piolet 1, is in this category and offers local and international haute cuisine and an excellent wine list. La Taverna di Gargantua, Località Cielo Alto, is another quality choice.
For the Italian staples, Falcone, Via Meynet, does a great pizza. The Copa Pan, Via J A Carrel, is often lively and has an international selection.
La Chandelle, Via Piolet 1, is in this category and offers local and international haute cuisine and an excellent wine list. La Taverna di Gargantua, Località Cielo Alto, is another quality choice.
For the Italian staples, Falcone, Via Meynet, does a great pizza. The Copa Pan, Via J A Carrel, is often lively and has an international selection.
Getting around
Central Cervinia is relatively compact and bus services are banned. This means that it's possible to walk to and from the ski lifts from most accommodations, but also if you arrive on a tour bus you may have to carry your luggage to your accommodation. Some outlying hotels organise their own shuttle services to the slopes.
Splashing out
The Hotel Miravidi (www.miravidi.com) organises all sorts of snow sports if you fancy something really different. Snow kiting involves being towed along the snow on your skis or board pulled by a giant kite. Zorbing involves you being strapped inside a giant, transparent ball and rolling down the snowy slopes. Dog sledding, snowmobiling and paragliding are also available.
Accommodation
Luxury
Hotel HermitageLuxurious Relais & Chateaux hotel 300m (940ft) from the town centre, with 34 rooms and a spa reserved for guests.
Via Piolet 1
Tel: (0166) 948 998.
Website: www.hotelhermitage.com
Moderate
Hotel The DragonFriendly small hotel with great views of the Matterhorn, and the popular Thistle bar on site.
Via Jean Baptiste Bich 3
Tel: (0166) 948 085.
Website: www.hoteldragon.it
Budget
Hotel PerruquetRecently renovated two star, 80m from the ski lifts, warm and friendly.
Via J A Carrel 46
Tel: (0166) 949 043.
Website: www.hotelperruquet.it
Getting there
Nearest airports: Turin (TRN); Milan (MXP).
Distances to resort: 1 hour 30 minutes; 2 hours.
Driving times: 118km (74 miles); 160km (100 miles).
Nearest railway station: Chatillon St Vincent.
Distance to resort: 25km (16 miles).
Driving time: 30 minutes
Distances to resort: 1 hour 30 minutes; 2 hours.
Driving times: 118km (74 miles); 160km (100 miles).
Nearest railway station: Chatillon St Vincent.
Distance to resort: 25km (16 miles).
Driving time: 30 minutes
Website
This resort is good for...
Intermediates, Snow reliability, Families, Summer skiing, Snowboarders, Après ski, Experts, Beginners
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