Cervinia, Italy: Your dream winter vacation
Located in the Italian Alps, Breuil-Cervinia is a spectacular ski resort town in the Valle d’Aosta region. It is located on the Italian side of the Matterhorn. Cervinia (as it’s usually called) is Italy’s most snow-sure destination. It’s one of only two Italian destinations that offers skiing in the summer. It’s in the highest slopes of Europe! You can spend all day without repeating any slope twice. That’s why the town is often referred to as the “queen of snow” .
Unsurprisingly, is one of Italy’s most popular ski resorts. Cervinia’s ski area links into Zermatt in Switzerland as well as Valtournenche, offering a special experience for visitors. It’s a great choice for your dream winter holiday on the snow!
Where is Cervinia?
Cervinia in the smallest region of Italy in the Aosta Valley in northwest Italy. The highest mountains in Europe and breathtaking glaciers surround the valley. The resort lies at 6580 feet and it shares a ski area with Zermatt in Switzerland. The longest slope stretches for almost 14 miles!
The closest airport to Cervinia is Turin, and many budget and also European carriers fly there. Milan Malpensa and Geneva airports are also options. However, transfers from these airports to Cervinia take a little longer.
Regardless, a car, ski bus or taxi are the easiest way to get around (right after your skis, of course!). Depending on how comfortable you are driving on mountain roads, a rental is a great option. Otherwise there are multiple ski buses that run through the town. Also, many of our choice accommodations in the area provide direct transportation during the day to the lifts!
For our more active clients…
Cervinia has wide, sunny slopes that get more snow than most of Italy. Location at the head of the Valtournenche valley, the village has spectacular view over the magnificent Matterhorn. This means that even the lower trails for beginners are open throughout the year. There are also over 40 different paths for intermediate skiers. Advanced skiers can take advantage to the easy access to Zermatt, on the Swiss side. Here, they will find an incredible selection of advanced and pro trails.
For those who don’t ski…
For those who want to move but not ski, there are an infinite amount of possibilities on the trails. Snowmobiling, snow shoeing, and snow mountaineering are choices to try. Or perhaps a walk to Cervinia’s famous Blue Lake?
For those less adventurous, in the village there is a cinema, ice skating rink, bowling alley and other family friendly activity off the snow. You can also visit the glacier paradise at the breathtaking 12,740 feet cablecar station (the highest in Europe) at Klein Matterhorn.
The village is modern and the center is pedestrian only. Though it is a small village, skiers from all over the world come here and it’s a convivial, fun spot. It is one of the few places where you can ski off the slope almost to the town center. There are over 30 bars where you can have an aperitivo after finishing a fun day skiiing!
There are also over 50 restaurants in the area. Some are more casual, but Cervinia has a reputation is being a gastronomic paradise. There are several Michelin guide rated restaurants in the area. Wood, a restaurant run by an Italian and his Swedish wife, is a personal favorite. Other places serve a variety of dishes. Don’t miss the local charcuterie, fontina cheese, polenta (think of Italian grits) with slow-braised beef and locally made Aostan wine will give you more fuel for the slopes!
Winter wanderlust
We hope that this glimpse of Cervinia provided some travel inspiration. Please check out our website or contact us directly! We have many other ideas in the mountains and also our other destinations.
As always, its our mission and promise to make your Mediterranean and winter travel dreams come true!
