Cervinia in Italy, located in the Valtournenche valley, surrounded on all sides by majestic four-thousandths - the highest mountain resort in the country. The resort got its name from Mount Cervino, which means "deer" in Italian. The Swiss call this mountain Matterhorn “the crooked beak”, this difference is explained by the fact that the mountain looks different from different angles.
Even at the beginning of the last century, the resort was not of any interest to tourists - an ordinary mountain village with a couple of hotels, a bar and a church, which could be reached on snowy roads only on foot or by mule.
The beginning of the development of the Cervinia ski resort can be considered 1936, when the first cableway was built. But he gained real popularity in the 70s of the XX century, when Europeans were massively carried away by skiing. Three international bobsleigh competitions were held here, as well as ski mountaineering and mountain bike racing.
Thanks to the mountain climate, the ski season in Cervinia lasts from October to May.
Resort Features
The resort of Cervinia in Italy, due to the almost constant presence of snow cover, as well as a large number of pistes of various levels, is popular with both beginner skiers and professional athletes.
146 kilometers of pistes were equipped on the slopes of the mountains, of which 41 kilometers were sloping blue slopes for those who had recently started skiing, 97 kilometers were red slopes for skiers with an average level of training, and 8 kilometers were especially difficult black slopes, on which experienced skiers train.
All routes of Cervinia are perfectly equipped, ski areas are serviced by many lifts - chairlifts, tow ropes, cabins. The high capacity of the lifts - about 30 thousand people per hour - allows you to quickly deliver athletes and tourists to the ski areas.
The choice of steep and difficult tracks for those who own skis on a professional level is not very large, but they find interesting slopes for themselves both on the Italian and Swiss sides of the Matterhorn mountain. Extremely steep, albeit short, Bardoney track is very interesting for experienced skiers.
The capacity of the lifts is about 30 thousand people per hour
There are much more red slopes on the slopes of Cervinia - this is the moderately flat and long Bondatini, descending from the Rosa Plateau, and the Ventina-Gyachchiayo expressway with a picturesque wide descent, as well as Gran Pista - a 15-kilometer descent leading to the Valtournenche valley. Blue trails for beginners are found on almost all slopes of the resort, making it easy for tourists to explore the entire ski area.
The ski areas of the Cervinia ski resort are located at different heights: the highest track is at an altitude of 3489 meters above sea level, the lower one is at an altitude of 2050 meters. Due to its high altitude, the ski season lasts a little longer here than in other resorts. The quality of the snow cover also depends on the location - the snow here is much milder than at the Swiss ski resorts bordering it.
The resort has a ski pass system that provides access to ski lifts and ski areas. Guests are offered different types of subscriptions, differing in validity, coverage and, of course, price. The cost of a ski pass depends on the season - in the low season it is an order of magnitude lower, in addition, significant discounts are provided for children under 12 years of age, as well as for older people.
Climate and weather
Thanks to the mountain climate ski season in Cervinia lasts from October to May - during this period the snow cover in the ski areas is almost perfect.
The best time for skiing is December, February and March, while January is considered quite cold. The average temperature in December is -6С, in February and March - from -6 to + 1С. Strong storms sometimes occur - on such days, the upper lifts stop working.
In winter, both adults and children enjoy skating on the rink
In summer, the air temperature reaches + 17C. Despite the summer heat, snow remains on the glaciers, so you can ski in the summer.
How to get to Cervinia
At 160 kilometers from the ski resort is located Milan Malpensa Airport, which receives international flights. Comfortable buses periodically run between Milan and Cervinia, and it takes 3 to 3.5 hours to get from the airport to the resort.
The resort has many small hotels and pensions for every taste
You can also get to Cervinia from Milan by taxi. If you travel by company and share the costs, then the cost of such a solution is quite adequate. You can calculate the current price of the trip for free, as well as order a car online here.
The third transport alternative is to rent a car. This can be done through the popular European Rentalcars price comparison service. The system in online mode monitors all changes in prices and assortment in large car rental, allowing you to significantly save both time and money when choosing a car.
Another airport that travelers often choose is in Turin. There are 118 kilometers to it, which are easily overcome by bus or car. BlogoItaliano described in detail in a separate article what transport alternatives are available from Turin Airport.
Hotels in Cervinia
Despite its small size, Cervinia in Italy receives many tourists from all over the world. To comfortably accommodate guests, the resort has built many small hotels and pensions for every taste.
There are no luxurious five-star apartments, but those that are available are not inferior to them in terms of coziness and comfort. Hotels are located both in the resort and in its environs, and in country hotels the cost of living is slightly lower.
The most complete selection of hotels with photo rooms, reviews of numerous guests and the possibility of instant booking can be found here.
Things to do
Guests of the Cervinia ski resort have many options for entertainment, and not related to skiing.
A large sports complex operates in the village. In winter, an excellent skating rink is organized, where both children and adults enjoy riding. For lovers of water treatments, there is a luxurious pool with warm water, a jacuzzi, a solarium, and a sauna. In addition, there is an indoor tennis court, bowling alley, curling and other outdoor activities.
An excellent snow park has been built for snowboarders in the Plan Maison area, equipped in accordance with modern world standards: ski jumps, cross-country tracks, a freestyle area.
On the Plateau Rosa is the highest museum in Europe
A mini-club is organized for the kids at the resort, where enthusiastic teachers and animators entertain the kids, giving parents the opportunity to relax at their pleasure. Children of all ages, and adults too, can have fun in one of the two game parks founded by the Cervinia ski school.
Thrill-seekers can fly a paraglider or helicopter, take a parachute jump, ride an inflatable sleigh or pillows, and do kitesurfing.
Not a single opening of the season is complete without a pyrotechnic show
Excursion programs, which include a visit to the highest alpine European museum located on the Rose Plateau, will help diversify your vacation - it contains ancient household items, as well as a rich collection of black and white photographs.
An interesting attraction is Ice Grotto, which is located at Piccolo Cervini station. In the grotto, which goes underground for 15 meters, you can see unusual ice sculptures created by nature.
At the beginning and end of the ski season, as well as on the eve of the New Year, a torchlight procession takes place in Cervinia, in which ski instructors, alpine guides, and athletes participate. The guests of the festival are treated to hot chocolate and mulled wine, and the culmination of the event becomes a pyrotechnic show.
Useful articles about ski resorts in Italy
- Resort Madonna di Campiglio in Italy
- Bormio ski resort: skiing, shopping and entertainment
- Ski resorts in Italy: 8 highlights of the Italian Alps
Photos by: Jantila Photo, Erik, booking.com, Unità Pastorale Trinità Ce, Daryl Manning, Leo-setä, Roberto Cilenti.
