10 Things to do in Cervinia
It’s no secret that Cervinia is my faovurite ski resort! I love everything about it- the people, the views, the Matterhorn, the Steak at Juit en Nuit… I’ll take it all!
So I’ve set out to prove that it IS the best ski resort in the world!
Love skiing? Don’t care much for it? (We don’t judge!)
Cervinia has something for everyone!
The Skiing
No skill required
Not toddler friendly
Child Friendly
Ages 6/8 years old onwards
For skiers!
No skill required
Not toddler friendly
Child Friendly
Ages 6/8 years old onwards
For skiers!
This is a pretty obvious one. Cervinia is the best resort in the world (in my humble opinion) and to be the best the skiing has to be phenomenal… and it is!
At an altitude of 2050m above sea level, you are quarenteed snow year after year. In fact, the resort has often been referred to as “snow sure”. In addition, this snow is augmented with 40 snow cannons to add even more powder to the slopes!
Not only is the snow great, but the slopes are perfect for everyone- from beginners to experts. The resort has 77 km of blue slope, 220 km of red slope and 63 k.m of black slope. One record breaking red slope- the Ventina- runs for a whopping 20km from Plateau Rosa to Cervinia town (a height difference of 2000km!). It’s one of my personal favourites- wide and long with picturesque views.
If that’s not enough, you can ski down the valley into Valtournenche or over the Matterhorn to Zermatt Switzerland- where you can explore hundreds more kilometers of slopes!
It’s every skiers dream!
Snow Carting
No skill required
Not toddler friendly
Child Friendly
Ages 6/8 years old onwards
For non-skiers!
No skill required
Not toddler friendly
Child Friendly
Ages 6/8 years old onwards
For non-skiers!
Snow carting.. Think go-carting… on snow! And it really is as fun as it sounds! I go back, year after year, and race my husand and father around the track!
Located at the entrance to the town, this snow cartin rink is approximately 1100m long and averages 10m wide. That’s 1100m of fun- and you get to go around several times!
At certain times of the year they even have a snow-carting school for adults and teenagers!
One of the best things about this activity is that it is fun for the whole family! Kids and adults alike!
Have lunch on the mountain
No skill required
Toddler friendly
Child Friendly
For non-skiers by cable car!
For Skiers!
No skill required
Toddler friendly
Child Friendly
For non-skiers by cable car!
For Skiers!
The mountain really is a spectaular place to be! So have lunch and take in the views (and hopefully some sun) with friends and family!
You can get up the mountain by ski lift or cable car, depending on skiing ability.
While some of the best spots to eat are only available to skiers, some of them are available to people on foot who don’t enjoy skiing as much!
The views from these restaurants and breath-taking and most of them have both outdoor and indoor seating, so you can enjoy them no matter the weather!
I highly recommend the Minestrone Soup at Chalet Etoile- a gorgeous little mountain hut located near Plan Maison. I would also be remiss if I didn’t recommend you grab a last drink at Baita Cretaz- located right at the bottom of the slope on your way back into town! The owners are friendly- and their dog is adorable! (It also happens to be the only place in town that serves sushi- and it’s delicious!
Both of these are only available to skiers, but the slops you take to get to them are extremely beginner friendly!
Visit the Snow Park
No skill required to watch
Intermediate skill required to partcipate
Participation not toddler friendly
Participation not Child Friendly
Teenager friendly
To watch- For non-skiers!
To participate- For skiers!
No skill required to watch
Intermediate skill required to partcipate
Participation not toddler friendly
Participation not Child Friendly
Teenager friendly
To watch- For non-skiers!
To participate- For skiers!
The Snow Park, located in Plan Maison, is acccesible by cable car or chair lift- making it the perfect day out for the whole family- including those who don’t ski!
The Park is 400m long and 100m wide, and has rails, kickers, boxes and jumps. With music playing to create a great vibe- beginner and expert skiers alike will find something to keep them entertained!
Try out the restaurants and bars in town
No skill required
Toddler friendly
Child Friendly
For non-skiers!
No skill required
Toddler friendly
Child Friendly
For non-skiers!
Once you’ve had a long and fabulous day on the slopes- take a look around town and explore the restaurants, bars, clubs and take-out joints that make up the fabric of this village.
Most of the establishments in town are old family businesses, with a few new ones popping up here and there- still run by locals whose families have lived there for generations. Some of the food is seriously good and the locals are charming and friendly people.
Pop into Jour et Nuit for a delicious dinner, and meet the gracious owner of the establishment, Luca. My dreams are often filled with memories of their steak with balsamic reduction- it’s delicious with a side of potato gratin!
If you have more of sweet tooth, pop into the Perruquet and order their thick and delicious hot chocolate and sit at a table next to the window and watch the towns-folk and toursits go about their day, or the snow falling gently from the sky.
The Yeti is always a great spot for a drink in the afternoon and a bit of a party at night. The owners, Mau and his gorgeous wife, are a fun-loving and gregarious couple who throw special parties at the bar and release a very naughty yearly calendar! My husband and I have spent many a night at the Yeti and taken part in an age old tradition- the boot. Drink beer out of a boot shaped glass in record time and your name goes up on the board! It can get quite competitive!
For a riot of a party visit the Dragon. This cute pub offers live music in the evenings and turns into a pumping nightclub at night- a favourite of locals and tourists alike and a place where myself and my family have spent many a great night!
Go ice skating
No skill required
Child Friendly
For non-skiers!
No skill required
Child Friendly
For non-skiers!
The ice rink is one of the hottest spots in the village- as is the adjascent restaurant, Linos.
The ice skating rink is a large outdoor rink with a magnificent view of the slopes and the Matterhorn. It’s owned by a prominent local family and is open from November to March from 9am to midnight. It’s great fun for the whole family and is even open in bad weather!
The adjascent restaurant, owned by the same family, is known for its delicious pizza, international cuisine and local Aosta valley dishes. Be sure to check it out in the evenings- you may even catch some karaokee!
Try your hand at ice climbing
Some fitness requirements
Teenager Friendly
For non-skiers!
Some fitness requirements
Teenager Friendly
For non-skiers!
Full disclosure, I haven’t done this one myself but I have heard it is awesome!
Aosta valley, the valley in which Cervinia is located, is magnificent with staggering views no matter where you look. Ice climbing in a place so spectacular must be an icnredible experience.
While I haven’t done it myself,I do know a little about it.
In order to book you need to contact the company directly. This reserves a mountain guides to take you through the Matterhorn/Valtournenche area. Beginners will obviously take easier routes, while experts will take more challenging routes. This will all be determined by your guide using information he is given about capacity, experience and fitness level. The guide also has the discretion to change or suspend the itinerary at any time if they feel that the mnimum safety requirments cannot be met.
Adults are welcome, as are teenagers over the age of 16. Although, if they are under 18 they need a parents permission no later than the day before the excursion.
There are minimum requirments for gear- bring your own! However, it does seem (from their website at least) that gear can be arranged for you if you let them know in advance.
That’s all I got!
Take a hike
No skill required
Child Friendly
For non-skiers!
No skill required
Child Friendly
For non-skiers!
This is the one activity in Cervinia that you should definiely rather do in the summertime!
During the early spring, late autumn and winter months Cervinia is covered in a blanket of snow. However, during the summer it is a hiking and golfing hot spot.
With over 200 km of hiking and walking trails that depart from the Cervinia and Valtournenche town centres- hikers of all ages and fitness levels will find something they enjoy. There are high ultitude hikes with breath-taking views for die-hard hikers, and for those more casual nature-lovers there are plenty of trails that offer a less challenging routes with picnic spots and views.
Take a heliskiing flip
Skiing skill required
Teenager Friendly
For skiers!
Skiing skill required
Teenager Friendly
For skiers!
What is ‘Heiskiing’, you ask? Well, it’s when a helicopter takes you to the top of a mountain and drops you off to ski down into town. It’s an incredible way to ski untouched mountains and get to the highest peaks. In Cervinia, you can ski at an altitude of 4600m if you heliski off Monte Rosa. To put this in perspective: Valtournenche sits at an altitude of 1500m and Cervinia sits at an altitude of 2000m.
You can only Heliski in winter months and in order to book you need only contact HeliSki Cervinia directly.
See real St Bernards
No skill required
Toddler Friendly
For non-skiers!
No skill required
Toddler Friendly
For non-skiers!
This is by far the most aodrable thing to do in Cervinia! Picture children and adults alike crooning over gentle and giant dogs against the breath-taking backdrop fo the Alps. Toddlers love it, teenagers love it and even granny will love it! And don’t forget to take your camera along!
The Alps has a long and intimate relationship with the St Bernards as they were used to find victims of avalanches hidden deep within the snow. A small barrel of cognac sits around their neck to provide warmth to the survivor in the immediate aftermath of the avalanche. Now these gorgeous dogs spend their days lapping up attention and treats!
No matter where you’re from, how old you are or how well you ski- you will LOVE Cervinia! It’s a picturesque yet interesting town with a rich history, some great hang-outs and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. You’re guarenteed to see snow and to make memories that will last a lifetime!
What are you waiting for? Book now!
Our families, friends and guests in Cervinia over the years
