Walt Disney’s film “Three Men on the Mountain,” about the dangerous climb of the Matterhorn, had an image of grandeur that characterizes the best of the Alps.

It, along with many works in all media, added to the mystique of the Matterhorn and Zermatt, but there is another side to the mountain—the Italian side. Cervinia, Zermatt’s Italian opposite number, is the prototype purpose-built resort in Europe.

Despite being ravaged by architects and developers in infancy, Cervinia manages to delight skiers year after year. The wide-open slopes, the reliable snow and the chance to ski Zermatt on the cheap bring Germans, British and Americans who zip across the slopes during the week until the weekend hordes from Milan and Turin arrive for their days in the snow.

One other important point to note—the dramatic improvement of lifts from the village to Testa Grigia. Once some of the worst lifts in Europe, the old cable cars have been replaced by sleek six- and twelve-person gondolas and a 140-person cable car.

In Cervinia: Via J.A. Carrel, 11021 Cervinia, Italy
Country code: 0039
Telephone: 0166-949136
Fax: 0166-.949731

In Valtournenche: Via Roma, 49, 11028 Valtournenche, Italy
Country code: 0039
Telephone: 0166-92029
Fax: 0166-92430
Internet: www.montecervino.it
Email:
breuil-cervina@montecervino.it or valtournenche@montecervino.it

Note: All prices are in Euros unless otherwise noted.

For more information on skiing and staying in the country of Italy, click the map.