Attached at the hip to it’s bigger, Swiss cousin Zermatt, Cervinia is often in more than the Matterhorn’s shadow. But While Zermatt is a mega power on the ski circuit, Cervinia is happy to just chill. Accessible from the town of Cervinia or via Zermatt on skis from the top of the mountain, it’s a great place to go for a day of skiing or more equally important, a day of eating and drinking.
Everything is relaxed about this mountain. The lifts meander slowly up the slopes. The skiers turn softy and slowly down the gentle terrain and the rest of the crowd munch on their pasta and sip at their wine. The food is very inexpensive (well comparatively) on the mountain and is prepared fresh. Italian wine is sold by the bottle, and no one is in too much of a hurry to finish a nice lunch al dente.
This mountain is perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers. It’s on a big slab of rock but is not intimidating. If you head to the top of the Plateau Rosa you can take an intermediate run which truly goes on forever – all the way to Val Tournenche. It has to be one of the longest runs in Europe and it will allow you to spend an afternoon making your way from the high peak all the way to the valley below.
Dropping in to Cervinia from Zermatt, there are a few steep chutes for experts. While they are short, they are very vertical and often full of snow. Beyond these chutes, you will see upon arrival, there’s not much expert terrain.
Riding the old lifts is also a treat. The backside of the Matterhorn is equally beautiful and you get a unique view of the infamous mountain as you make you way around Cervinia.
The town is a lot more laid back than Zermatt and seems to be popular among families. The accommodations are A LOT less expensive and guests seem to really enjoy the long meals and superb cooking by the locals.
If you enter Cervinia via Zermatt, you will immediately feel the vast difference between the two mountain resorts. The fact that you are in a different country becomes immediately apparent and so taking advantage of the Italian wine, cuisine and relaxed attitude on the slopes is an absolute must.
