Your guide to Cervinia Ski Resort in Italy

(1524m - 3883m)

★★★★	Beginner
★★★★	Intermediate
★★	Advanced
★★	Off-Piste
★★★	Snowboarding
★★★★★	Snow Reliability
★★★	Extent
★★★	Apres-Ski
★★★	Mountain Restaurants
★★★★	Scenery
★★★	Village Charm
★★	Non-Skiers

Ski Lifts	20
Resort Altitude	2050m
Pistes	160kms
Ski Range	1524m – 3883m
Green Runs	–
Blue Runs	19
Red Runs	35
Black Runs	6

Local Lift Pass	Off peak €174, peak €204
Area Lift Pass	Off peak €227, peak €266
Transfer Time	Turin 2hrs, Geneva 3hrs 15mins
Transfer Day	Saturday
Tourist Board	Website
Weather	View detailed snow forecast for Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche at: snow-forecast.com Snow Report
Webcam	Webcam
Piste Map	Piste Map

The Slopes

There are 2 main lifts that take you out of the village. The first is a gondola situated just outside the village and brings you directly to the Plan Maison area which is the hub of the resort. The second is the E Cretaz chair lift which goes to Plan Torrette. From Plan Torrette another chairlift gives access to slopes which then lead directly to Plan Maison.

The Plan Maison sector is comprised of blue and red runs. The blues here are ideal for those who are making it off the nursery slopes for the first time. The red runs are slightly harder but there is nothing here that an average intermediate couldn't cope with. Finally from Plan Maison a series of chairlifts take you to Theodulpass where the link to Zermatt is located. From Theodulpass red then blue runs take you back to Plan Maison.

The second main area in Cervinia, Laghi Cime Bianche can be accessed from Plan Maison via a gondola. From here there a several long red runs that take you back down to the village. To access some of Cervinia’s more challenging red runs a cable car from Laghi Cime Bianche takes you to Plateau Rosa. From here a series of red runs take you from the top of the mountain right back down to the village, great terrain for intermediates. From Plateau the link to Zermatt at Theodulpass can also be reached.

From Plateau Rosa the final area of Cervina, Valtournenche can be reached via long red runs. At Valtournenche the slopes are less crowded and there are some lovely blue and red runs to try out. A long red run also continues from this area and down to the village of Valtournenche in the valley.

The nursery slopes are located at the base of the E Cretaz lift and from here the easy blues of Plan Tourette can be accessed.

Apres-ski

Cervinia has plenty of lively bars and cafes to entertain you but does have a British feel about the resort. Notably the Dragon and Thistle Pubs - two bars but with different themes, one English, the other Welsh. Another such venue is the Irish Pub, part of the Hotel Grivola with a fantastic range of beers to tempt you.

A more charming venue for some is the bar in the Hotel Bucaneve or you could try the Ymeletrob - a popular cocktail bar and apres ski destination. Other lively places include the Gasoline, the Yeti and Copapan which has live music too. There are also a couple of clubs in the resort - Bianconiglio being one, it’s spread over a couple of floors and has a range of international dance, R&B and house music.

Karaoke can be found at the Scotch and if you are hankering for something sweet then don’t miss the Cafe Le Samovar which has a tempting range of cakes, pastries and hot chocolate, yum!

Eating Out

Although most people in resort eat their evening meals in their hotels, Cervinia does have a lot of good restaurants on offer serving up everything from simple pizza and pasta to local specialities and other such delights.

Fine dining can be found at La Chandelle restaurant in the Hotel Hermitage, it offers a range of traditional and local Italian dishes along with international cuisine too. Other local Italian specialities can be found at Le Nicchia and of course the Maison de Saussure - a small, cosy restaurant popular with locals so you will have to book.

Pizzas can be found throughout the resort at places such as Lino’s, Jour et Nuit (who also do delicious steaks), Grampis (also serving Italian specialities) and of course Le Vieux Grenier serving wood fired pizzas and home made pasta within the stunning dining room of the Hotel Grivola. Cheaper options include Copapan, Capanna Alpina and the Matterhorn.

Other Activities

Cervinia isn’t really a resort for the non skier as there is not a huge amount to do off the slopes.

There is a public swimming pool with it’s own sauna and some of the resort hotels have their own pool, sauna or spa facilities too. You can also try snowshoeing - both during the day or night, go tobogganing, paragliding or ice skating on the natural ice rink. Excursions to Aosta and other local towns are also available too.

Excursions to the market town of Aosta and other places in the Aosta valley are also possible.

Ski School

Cervinia has a small number of ski schools offering tuition in both skiing and boarding.

The Cervino Ski School offer group and private lessons for all abilities and from aged 5 upwards, they also teach freeride, freestyle, and telemark too. Group lessons start from €155 for 5 half days, private lessons start from €38 per hour.

The Breuil Ski Snowboard Freeride School offer group and private tuition for all abilities and levels and also do freeride and telemark too. Group lessons start from €150 for 5 half days, private lessons start from €38 per hour.