The Cervinia-Valtournenche-Zermatt ski area is one of the most famous in Italy and around the world for good reason. It’s height makes it snow sure, it’s connection to Switzerland and the fact that it’s looked down upon by the mighty Monte Cervino, or as it’s more commonly known, the Matterhorn.

It also offers two different types of skiing – the Italian side is more laid back, with cruisy blue runs that are wide and sun-soaked. The Swiss side ups the ante with steeper runs, higher lifts and a bit more bustle to it. It’s good to know that we’ve found the grading of the ski runs also has some variation – the red runs on the Italian side are easier and some could arguably be blue runs. On the Swiss side you’ll find things a bit more challenging and it’s good to remember if you’re heading over to Zermatt that you’ve still got to get back in time.

As a rule of thumb, we always recommend starting to make your way back from Switzerland at 14:00 / 14:30 depending on whereabouts you are. If you’re unlucky enough not to make the last lift back up to Italy then you’re in for either a 5 hour taxi (circa €500) or an overnight stay in Zermatt (possibly more expensive!). Add to that your lift pass won’t work to get you back up in the morning (the lift pass has to be activated in the country of purchase at the start of each day) and it’s not a mistake you’ll want to make. Don’t let this put you off though – we’re just saying be careful!

In Cervinia there are two types of lift passes available as explained below. The International lift pass obviously is more expensive than the Italian lift pass but gives you access to an extra 200km of slopes and the ability to visit Switzerland. There are a few considerations to take when choosing your lift pass:

The weather – It’s common to have high wind in Cervinia and at times this will close the link over to Zermatt. Look at the weather forecast before you buy the International lift pass as it might not be the best option.

Your ability – The skiing in Cervinia is easier than in Zermatt. If you’re not yet confident on steeper red runs then you might find it difficult to get to Zermatt and back or perhaps towards the end of your holiday it will be a better idea. You can upgrade a local lift pass one day at a time which can work out a better option. I

Skiing other resorts – Whether you plan to ski anywhere else in Valle d’Aosta such as Gressoney, Pila, La Thuile or Courmayeur (as the Italian Lift Pass can include this but the Internation does not)

We recommend taking a photo of the front and back of your lift pass as soon as you purchase it. Then, if happen to lose it you will pay an admin fee for a replacement (around 10% of the value of the remaining days) instead of having to buy a whole new lift pass. Lift pass prices can be found on the official Cervinio Ski Paradise website here.

Italian Lift Pass – 150km

The Italian lift pass (Cervinia-Valtournenche-VdA on the Cervinia office website) covers a ski area of 150km ranging from 3480m – 1524m. The highest place you can get to is Plateau Rosa and you must be very careful here not to head down to Zermatt as a ride back up is not included on your lift pass. The lift pass includes the connected Valtournenche ski area which is the lowest point you can ski down to.

The Italian lift pass also has the added benefit of allowing you to ski in another resort in Valle d’Aosta including Gressoney, Pila, La Thuile & Courmayeur. Bare in mind though that unless you have a car it’s not easy to get to these resorts (Pila is the easiest but still requires 2 buses and takes around 1.5 hours). Note – if you have purchased a 3 to 5 day lift pass you will be entitled to 1 day in the other resorts in Valle d’Aosta; if you have purchased a 6 day lift pass you will be able to ski up to a maximum of 2 days in the other resorts in Valle d’Aosta.

As mentioned above it’s good to know that even if you buy the Italian lift pass you can upgrade on a daily basis to the International lift pass (this is normally around €50 extra per day for an adult pass). This generally means if you’re here for 6 days skiing and upgrade for 2 days then it costs the same as a 6 day International lift pass.

International Lift Pass – 350km

The International lift pass is what attracts most people and it’s easy to see why – a 350km connected ski area that spans 2 countries and some of the most breathtaking and iconic scenery in the world. With this lift pass you can ski everywhere on the piste map, however it’s important (and sometimes confusing) to note that this lift pass does not include skiing in the other resorts in Valle d’Aosta (although it does include the much smaller nearby resorts of Torgnon & Chamois).

This lift pass allows you to ski from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise station (highest lift station in Europe) at 3883m all the way down to the lowest part of Valtournenche at 1524m in one run. Well, almost one run… There is a 30 second chairlift that you need to take to get you out of a small bowl but other than that it’s a 22km run with 2300m vertical drop!

Another highlight and, in my opinion, a must do of the International lift pass is to take the Gornergrat train from Zermatt town. This train acts as a ski lift and winds it’s way up the steep mountain with truly stunning views of the Matterhorn. The train runs every 25 minutes and, as you’d expect in Switzerland, it normally runs perfectly on time. There’s even a countdown to the next train so if you’ve got a little bit of time you can have a look around Zermatt and it’s chocolate box houses.

There are two awesome freestyle parks in the ski area – the Indian Park in Cervinia & Gravity Park in Zermatt.

The Indian Park in Cervinia is 400m long and over 100m wide and offers features ranging from beginner to massive. It’s split into two sections along Blue 26 on the right hand side and has a beginner, intermediate & advanced line set-up. The beginner line usually has a little jump, and a box slide in the top section followed by three little jumps in the lower section. The intermediate line has 3 good jumps in the top section which are perfect for spinning off and a few more jumps and different rails/tubes in the bottom section. The advanced line has a rail set up in the top section and some big jumps in the bottom section, followed by a rainbow rail at the end. The park is accessed via the Pancheron chairlift and if you stay right after finishing your park lap you’ll find yourself back at Pancheron again within a few minutes.

The Swiss Park is called Snowpark Zermatt and is another fantastic park to ride and keep lapping all day long. It is wider than the Italian park and you’ll find a line of beginner features (smaller jumps and boxes) and a line for intermediate/advanced skiers and boarders with larger jumps and more difficult rails. You can easily do a bit of each line during the same run as it’s so wide but just to sure to check that no one is coming before you change lines. Snowpark Zermatt is quicker to do laps of than the Indian Park as the chairlift is closer. To get to Snowpark Zermatt head up to Plateau Rosa and drop down into Switzerland. Follow Blue 73 down to the Furgstatel chairlift and the park is on the right hand side of Red 72.

The above can only ever be a guide as the park shapers love to keep things fresh throughout the season and in line with the weather. Remember that it takes time and skill to keep the parks open and if we’ve had heavy snowfall they might not be open for a few days. It’s also worth noting that both parks have mandatory helmet signs up and you’d be stupid to venture into the parks without one.

Check out both parks on Instagram

SnowPark Cervinia

SnowPark Zermatt

With the high snowfall that Cervinia there are some truly amazing off piste adventures to be had here. There are several marked “freeride” runs on the Zermatt side (yellow on the piste map) and these routes are maintained to increase safety.

One of the safest and easiest places to find your off piste feet in Cervinia is on the right hand side (as you’re coming down) of Blue 5. There can be a few rocks here and a few little streams run through it but if the snow is deep then it’s good fun. A much steeper location favoured by the locals is on the left-hand side of the Pancheron chairlift (C on the map). This is actually marked on the piste map as a Black 59, however it is almost never pisted during the season so when the snow comes you’ll see a lot of people making a bee-line for it. There are avalanche barriers under the Pancheron chairlift so you’ll obviously need to steer well clear of them. It’s steeper the closer to the chairlift that you go and mellower closer to the Matterhorn. If you keep enough speed you can ride it out at the bottom and join back onto Red 9bis before joining onto Blue 5.

Needless to say, if you’re here for the off-piste, employing the services of a guide is essential, no ifs or buts. Without their expertise and the proper kit, you’re putting yourself and others at risk. The information shared above is purely informational and if you choose to follow any of the routes you do so in the knowledge that skiing off piste can have fatal consequences, even with proper training and equipment. Monsguide accepts no liability and cannot guarantee the accuracy of the routes described above due to the ever-changing conditions.

It is illegal to ski off-piste in Italy without full avalanche safety equipment.

Yes, that’s right. In Cervinia, you have the possibility to take a helicopter to a pristine, otherwise inaccessible mountain slope and make first tracks in balls-deep powder. Quite literally the stuff dreams are made of.

However, dreams don’t come cheap and with 1-drop costing around €250 per person, it definitely won’t be for everyone. But, that does get you a helicopter ride, a highly qualified alpine guide and the required avalanche safety equipment and there aren’t that many places that you can heli-ski anymore so… when in Rome? For full details check out the Heliski Cervinia website here.

Yes, that’s right. In Cervinia, you have the possibility to take a helicopter to a pristine, otherwise inaccessible mountain slope and make first tracks in balls-deep powder. Quite literally the stuff dreams are made of.

However, dreams don’t come cheap and with 1-drop costing around €250 per person, it definitely won’t be for everyone. But, that does get you a helicopter ride, a highly qualified alpine guide and the required avalanche safety equipment and there aren’t that many places that you can heli-ski anymore so… when in Rome? For full details check out the Heliski Cervinia website here.