 This winter sports resort is situated in the last valley in Valtournenche at the foot of Mount Cervino, and is one of the best known in Europe. The number of ski-lifts has been increased in recent years and this has put the resort at the centre of a huge complex which links it with Valtournenche and Zermatt on the Swiss side in an unbroken series of pistes and connections. This remarkable cross-border link allows skiers with an international ski-pass to use pistes as long as 120 km. In addition, thanks to the ski-lifts on the Rosà plateau glacier (3600 m), it is possible to ski all the year round. The 200 km of piste have five very easy runs, nine easy, twenty of medium difficulty and ten difficult ones allowing skiers a wide choice. There are also 7 km of cross-country trails, magnificent routes for Alpine skiing, a bobsleigh run and the chance to go heli-skiing with a helicopter at more than 4000 m.
Après-ski offers many alternatives. In the middle of the village there are two indoor swimming pools, three saunas, bowling, skating track, numerous shops and boutiques, more than fifty restaurants, pizzerias, bars, cinemas and discos. Cervinia is famous for its lively night life. Amongst the traditional specialities to be found here and in the villages in the valley, is fondue made with local fontina cheese, “carbonata” which is a stew cooked in lots of wine, polenta concia and Sant Vincent cakes. The local wines are the “Donnas” and the “Carema” which are red with an average alcohol content. And we must mention Valdostano coffee which is strong, very hot and spicy, with a dash of liqueur, served in a wooden goblet. There is a little museum about Cervinia in the guide office.
Getting there
By train: Chatillon Station 27 km
By bus: there are six bus services to Cervinia from Chatillon. From Turin, Milan and the airport.
By car: Motorway A5, exit at the Chatillon toll booths (27 km).
Information
Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno e Turismo, tel 0166 949136/ 949086
Ski-lifts
Cervinia and Valtournenche together:
4 cable cars, 3 gondolas, 11 chair-lifts and 16 tows |
