<p>Discover all you need to know about ski holidays in Breuil Cervinia.</p>
Photo: Regione Autonoma Valle d’Aosta/Enrico Romanzi

The Ultimate Guide to Breuil-Cervinia

Discover all you need to know about ski holidays in Breuil Cervinia.

Resort Guides
Published at: 5 Jul 2022
Last updated at: 9 Nov 2023

Take a look at our definitive guide to Cervinia in Italy and discover everything you need to know to enjoy a ski holiday on the Swiss-Italian border.

Serena Norton
Serena Norton

The Ultimate Guide to Breuil-Cervinia

Located on the Italian side of the majestic Matterhorn mountain in the Aosta region, Breuil Cervinia is Italy’s most snow-sure ski resort with high, open, perfectly groomed slopes. The village was one of the first purpose-built resorts in the 1930s and as such is not the most picturesque. However, we have seen a number of luxury chalets in Cervinia pop up recently so there are positive signs that the resort is looking to improve its reputation for apartment-block and hotel-style accommodation.

The village itself is fairly compact with a traffic-free main street and some traditional-style buildings. There is a regular ski-bus service, a good selection of restaurants to choose from as well as lively bars (particularly at the weekends when the Italians arrive).

With skiing up to 3,480m, Breuil-Cervinia’s altitude sees the winter season start very early with lifts open ever day from mid-October until the beginning of May. Cervinia’s local ski slopes offer 160 km of skiing. However, the resort is linked to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area giving 360 km of pistes in total. Skiing in Cervinia is best suited to beginners and intermediate skiers with more advanced skiers needing to head over to Zermatt for steeper descents.

Winter in Breuil-Cervinia Ski Resort

Long cruising pistes provide a spectacular playground for beginners and intermediate skiers enjoying a Cervinia ski holiday. The Plan Maison area is ideal for building confidence with a series of long gentle runs. The slightly steeper sector can be found at Laghi Cime Blanche. This area extends all the way down to Valtournenche at 1,525m, providing almost 2,000m of vertical.

Beginners enjoy excellent nursery slopes at resort level and some easy blues at mid-mountain to progress to. Intermediates benefit from some of the world’s longest reds, including the 15 km run back down to the resort from Plateau Rosa. For freestylers, there’s the renowned Indian Park at Plan Maison, home to some serious kickers as well beginner-friendly features.

Away from the slopes, Cervinia has plenty to keep you entertained including a natural outdoor ice rink which is open daily until midnight from November to March. Snowshoe enthusiasts have two signposted scenic trails at Plan Maison to explore. There’s also a 7 km long off-piste trail from the Valtournench-Salette gondola. Other ways to explore the Breuil-Cervinia ski area include a dog sledding experience or a snowmobile excursion. Tandem paragliding is another of the resort’s attractions.

Luxury chalet La Fenice in CerviniaPhoto: Chalet La Fenice

Where to Stay in Cervinia?

Cervinia ski resort has tended to be dominated by three-star hotels and apartment blocks in the past, an increasing number of luxury Cervinia chalet rentals have opened in recent years. The finest of these is Chalet La Fenice, a stunning seven-bedroom chalet set over six floors with a sublime spa and entertainment on tap.

Another recommendation is the eco-friendly Chalet Blanc, a centrally located property with a professional spa, large terrace and spectacular views.

Where to Eat & Drink in Breuil-Cervinia

Cervinia is home to a wide choice of restaurants, both on and off the mountain. One of the best restaurants in Cervinia on the mountain includes the renowned Chalet Etoile, a historic eatery run by the Frassy family since 1974. Another popular choice is Bontadini, a piste-side restaurant with table service downstairs serving mouth-watering local specialties and self-service upstairs. Famous for its grilled meats and delicious pasta dishes, L’Igloo offers fantastic views from the terrace and a cosy interior with a wood-burning fireplace.

Recommended Cervinia restaurants in town include La Chandelle at the famous Hermitage hotel. This contemporary restaurant offers an impressive menu of modern yet unfussy dishes alongside traditional classics and has an extensive wine list too. Ideally located in the centre of town, Lo Copa Pan serves up pizza, homemade pasta, fondue and steak. For something a little different try Wood, an attractive bistro using products from Italy and Sweden with a touch of Asia thrown in.

Don’t miss out on apres-ski celebrations in Cervinia; a perfect opportunity to enjoy a refreshing cocktail or cold beer on the slopes. A tempting spot to pause on your final descent is the apres-ski bar at Hotel Principe delle Nevi. In the village opposite the ice rink, Lino’s Bar has a friendly ambiance and a live DJ from 5 pm to 7 pm every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. For something a little more upscale, La Champagnerie du Cervin at Hotel Punta Maquignaz serves a selection of cocktails and snacks to enjoy.

Summer in Breuil-Cervinia

Thanks to Cervinia’s high altitude, summer skiing is a big attraction. In the summer season, there are 25 km of slopes to enjoy with Cervinia and Plateau Rosa becoming a popular training ground for the World Cup national and international teams.

Also attracting visitors in summer is the Bike Park del Cervino which offers more than 100 km of downhill trails. Particularly impressive is the Rock Wood Trail; with an average gradient of 16.6%, it is considered to be one of the most challenging trails in the bike park.