Breuil-Cervinia
High-altitude skiing beneath the iconic pyramid of the Matterhorn.
About Breuil-Cervinia
Breuil-Cervinia sits at a lofty 2,050 metres in the shadow of the Matterhorn—or Cervino, as Italians call it. This purpose-built ski resort offers some of the highest and most snow-sure skiing in Italy, with runs reaching up to 3,480 metres on the Plateau Rosa and a cross-border connection to Zermatt in Switzerland. The village itself is functional rather than pretty, but the mountain scenery is unbeatable. In summer, the area transforms into a hiking paradise with wildflower meadows and the chance to walk across glaciers. The Matterhorn provides one of the most recognisable mountain silhouettes on Earth, and seeing it from the Italian side is an entirely different experience from the Swiss postcard view.
Best Time to Visit
November to May for skiing—the high altitude means long seasons. Summer skiing is possible on the Plateau Rosa glacier. July to September for hiking with Matterhorn views.
Local Tips
- Ski to Switzerland for lunch.
The Cervinia-Zermatt ski area spans two countries. A local will plan a day where you ski across the border, lunch at a Swiss mountain hut, and ski back to Italy—all on one lift pass.
- Hike the Grandes Murailles trail.
In summer, trails around Cervinia offer spectacular Matterhorn views without the crowds of Zermatt. A local knows the best viewpoints and the Alpine lakes where the Matterhorn reflects perfectly.
- Taste mountain cuisine at altitude.
Several rifugi above Cervinia serve traditional Valdostana food at altitude. A local can book you a table at an on-mountain restaurant with panoramic Matterhorn views and a plate of polenta concia.