Breuil-Cervinia ski resort (usually known as Cervinia) is a popular mountain destination in Italy, located at the foot of Matterhorn Glacier (Monte Cervino) in Valle d'Aosta, right on the border between Italy and Switzerland. Cervinia is one of the highest ski resorts in Europe and offers a long winter season.
The resort's name is made up of two words: the French word Breuil and Cervinia, an Italian word which relates to the Matterhorn. The Italian name for the Matterhorn is Monte Cervino.
Cervinia ski resort - Matterhorn Glacier ski area
Skiing, snowboarding
About 60% of the 220 km of slopes on the mountain are intermediate or red-coded runs. These are generally very long and wide.
Located mostly above the tree line, there can be high winds, and most of the more advances runs are on the higher slopes. The area of Plateau Rosa, which stands at 3480 m, is the link to Zermatt in Switzerland and has some of the most spectacular views.
The resort is not the best place for the advance skiers as only 15% (7 marked black) of the runs are black-coded and some of these are in actuality on the intermediate level.
The long Red 29 off to the right of the Pancheron chairlift and back to the bottom is not for the faint hearted. Experts, don't miss Black 59 off to the left with its significantly steeper wall-like drop and mogul field thigh-burning middle.
The most challenging trails are in Zermatt, in Switzerland, which is linked to Cervinia through the lift system. For one wishing to hit Mach 5, the Kilometro Volante is the best bet, as well as the off-pist skiing near Cieloalto.
The summer skiing and snowboarding on the Plateau Rosa, a glacier, goes from June to September. While the expert and intermediate skiers will not find much of a challenge here, freestyle, racing and beginner skiers, as well as boarders will find the glacier a great place to ski.
For children. On Plan Maison, the kid zone is open and there are ski lessons for children over 5. There is also an outside children’s park located in the middle of the resort. The resort itself is child-friendly and there are babysitting services that are available at the Biancaneve Childcare Center, for children over the age of two: a Baby Club with snow games, group activities, creative workshops and parties.
The resort connects with Zermatt in two places and it’s easy - almost too easy as we nearly inadvertently ended up in Switzerland by taking a wrong turn. However, the connections can often be closed in bad weather so make your way back early… if you get stuck in the Switzerland side it will be a very expensive and long taxi ride home!
IndianPark Snowpark
A fully equipped chill out area with wooden chalets and barbecue allows the organization of side activities with a strong public turnout, a perfect meeting place for a young and dynamic target.
The Breuil-Cervinia Indian Park is located in the Fornet-Bontadini area, runs 26 and 27, at the center of the Breuil-Cervinia ski resort.
Breuil-Cervinia village
The main street of Cervinia features some small, interesting boutiques and a number of good sportswear and equipment shops.
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.
Cervinia’s has lively apres ski with plenty of bars in the centre of the village and lots of good restaurants for eating out, ranging from good value pizzerias to high quality, expensive restaurants.
The Cafe Le Samovar, on Cervinia’s main street, is a comfortable place to relax after a day on the slopes. Choose a slice of delicious cake or some homemade biscuits to enjoy alongside a cup of tea or hot chocolate. The Grivola restaurant offers a varied menu with great food, including excellent pizza, and good service. Jour et Nuit, is a lively restaurant – good for both steaks and pizzas, which are baked in the wood fired oven. The Copa Pan and the Matterhorn are both popular, with the Matterhorn having good vegetarian options.
