In The Spotlight: Cervinia

Officially titled Breuil-Cervinia, the domain is universally known by its shorter moniker: Cervinia. A compact town with a pedestrianised centre, it pretty much embodies the term ‘ski resort’, with a blend of purpose-built hotels and apartment blocks spanning many decades and many architectural styles. It’s efficient, functional and – at 2,050m – it’s also one of the highest ski domains in the country.

Cervinia is linked with Valtournenche, a classically pretty Alpine village lower down the valley. Where the former is all purpose-built convenience, the latter is comprised of more traditional wood and stone chalets, exhibiting a pleasantly rustic chocolate-box charm. Those seeking a quieter and more relaxed experience will enjoy its sleepier feel, while partygoers will be better served by the livelier and more bustling vibe of Cervinia itself.

Between them, Cervinia and Valtournenche offer an impressive 1,956m of vertical drop and 150km of pistes. The link with Zermatt opens up a further 79 lifts and bumps the skiable area up to a whopping 360km, making it one of the largest in Europe. Take note: the link is often closed due to bad weather, and getting stuck in Zermatt will result in a lengthy and ferociously expensive taxi ride from Switzerland back to Italy.

Being one of Europe’s highest resorts, Cervinia is also one of its most snow-sure. Top-to-bottom cover is practically a given throughout the season, which – running as it does from November into early May – is unusually long. The high altitude also means frigid temperatures, which translates to consistently good snow conditions throughout the winter season.

Cervinia doesn’t really do challenging steeps or gnarly off-piste – for that, you’ll need to head over to nearby Zermatt, weather permitting. However, what it does do, it does very well indeed: long, undulating, perfectly groomed runs that really get the thighs burning. Thanks to the mellow gradients, it’s an absolute paradise for intermediates or anyone who loves to cruise. It also allows beginners to find their feet without being continually marauded by confidence-knocking black runs or menacingly steep reds, which is a massive plus.