Cervinia sits just under the Matterhorn — or Monte Cervino, as it is known in Italy — close to the Swiss border, and Zermatt. But saying Cervinia is “under” the Matterhorn makes it sound too low — at 2050m, Cervinia is a fantastic high-altitude ski resort, with lots of snow; a ski season which often runs between October and May; incredible views; and incredible access to a vast range of ski terrain. And the best places to stay in Cervinia are significantly friendlier in price than those on the Swiss side of the Matterhorn! They include traditional ski hotels in the compact village centre, with its great Italian restaurants, and above the village in ski-in ski-out lodges.
Cervinia is a great ski resort for intermediates, with lots of long runs. Most of the pistes are above 2000m, and get plenty of snow and plenty of sunshine. There is good scope for beginners too, with nursery slopes close to the village, then a flat plain just above it, and gentle blue runs graduating upwards. After your day on the slopes, there’s a great après-ski atmosphere in the pedestrianised main street, with its Italian restaurants and bars, ice rinks, shops, spas and swimming pools. And the best places to stay in Cervinia are great for foodies too.
In addition to the Matterhorn, or Monte Cervino, Cervinia is breathtakingly surrounded by the Jumeaux, the Château des Dames, the Fruggen, and the Grandes Murailles summits. There are glaciers and peaks, alpine pastures and dramatic ridges — the town really began as a centre for climbers and mountaineers, before ski mountaineering took off in the19th century, at which point Cervinia became one of the world’s first ski destinations. But far from being a picturesque and old chalet-laden resort, Cervinia is peppered with modern buildings reflecting the imperious austerity of pre-WW2 Italy, and some of the best places to stay in Cervinia will impress those with an interest in architecture, as well as skiing, climbing or hiking.
