Italy pioneered purpose-building high-altitude resorts in the 1930s and Cervinia, like Sestrière by the country’s French border, is one of Europe’s originals. The little settlement that did stand there originally was known as ‘Breuil’, but was changed to Cervinia, apparently because in those nationalistic times the former “Sounded too French”. Now the two are officially hyphenated together, as Cervinia-Breuil, although most English speakers still tend to call the place Cervinia.

The title Cervinia also brings to mind Monte Cervino, again better known as the Matterhorn to English speakers, which provides a key part of the spectacular backdrop to the resort, nestling on the border with Switzerland. Indeed the huge ski area is linked by lift to one of the most famous Swiss resorts – Zermatt, and old rivalries that meant there was for many decades no joint lift ticket, seem to have finally been forgotten in recent years with the introduction of a full international pass – no more messing about with supplements.

The Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche Zermatt area is now one of the largest in the Alps, with highly varied skiing through three valleys, from the 3,883 m of the Piccolo Cervino descending to the 1,524 m of Valtournenche. It’s the highest ski area in the Alps as well, surrounded by peaks of up to (and often over) 4000 metres!

Cervinia today is, again like the other original Italian purpose-built centres, a hotch potch of architectural styles ranging from the quite acceptable to the unacceptably ugly, but at least the variety makes it impossible to condemn the whole place as you might some of the later French monstrosities. What’s special about the place is that, although it catches the sun, its altitude ensures it maintains the best snow record in Italy. Oh, and you also have access to one of the world’s longest ski runs, from the Klein Matterhorn above Zermatt down to Cervinia’s lift-linked neighbour, Valtournenche, an epic 20km (13 mile) descent.

Ski with the Ski Club of Great Britain today!

The Ski Club is the UK’s oldest and largest snowsports membership organisation, dedicated to bringing skiers together to share and grow their passion for snowsports! The Club operates a dedicated Rep in this resort, along with 23 other resorts across Europe and North America – ski with us today and find your best day ever on snow.

Alongside Reps, the Club offers a host of services to help you make the most of your time on snow, including travel insurance designed by skiers for skiers, exclusive discounts for our Members, a huge range of information, inspiration and advice, and incredible holidays around the world for every taste in skiing.