Since July 1, 2023, the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing provides a continuous, year-round connection between Breuil-Cervinia in Italy and Zermatt in Switzerland. The “Matterhorn Glacier Ride II” is the final piece of the puzzle that will enable the highest continuous crossing of the Alps by cable car. The opening of the last cable car section this summer provides a seamless connection between the two destinations in Italy and Switzerland that has been sought for more than 80 years.

Matterhorn Glacier Ride II

The new modern S3 cable car Matterhorn Glacier Ride II connects the summit of Piccolo Cervino (“Little Matterhorn”) with Plateau Rosa, allowing everyone to move between Cervinia and Zermatt, the Aosta Valley and the Canton of Valais and vice versa. Until now, this was an option only for skiers.

The Matterhorn Glacier Ride II cable car section has a station in Testa Grigia, Italy, at 11,345 feet. Visitors are able to cross the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, the highest cross-border pass in the Alps, from there. Another station on the Piccolo Cervino (“Little Matterhorn”) in Switzerland at 12,739 feet above sea level continues the Matterhorn Glacier Ride I, which opened in fall 2018 and replaced the previous Piccolo Cervino cable car. With the start of operation of the Matterhorn Glacier Ride II, the seamless integration of the two destinations, which has been sought for more than 80 years, is achieved.

Plateau Rosa: More than skiing

The cable car takes both skiers and visitors who just want to enjoy the high mountains, the clear sky, the mountain sun and the fresh breeze directly to the Plateau Rosa. There you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the 13,123 feet peaks of the Alps: the most prominent peak for summiteers to see is the Matterhorn, but profiles of Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, the Monte Rosa massif and the Swiss Alpine peaks in Valais are also clearly visible. Towards Italy, the view falls on the unmistakable silhouette of Monviso in Piedmont.

In the Museum of Work, located on the Plateau Rosa, visitors can physically visualize the cardinal points, names and altitude of all the 13,000-feet peaks of the area, as well as the most famous peaks, in a signage made of solid bronze. The exhibition of work tools and photographs tells of the incredible efforts of the Valdostan ancestors during the construction of the ski lifts and cable cars of the Plateau Rosà as well as the Furggen.

New possibilities: Glacier Grotto on the Little Matterhorn

Thanks to the new cable car section, the ice cave of the Piccolo Cervino (“Little Matterhorn”) with its depth of 50 feet and its 164-feet tunnel dug into the ice will now also be more easily accessible from Breuil-Cervinia. The lighting and soft music inside the ice cave create a very special atmosphere. In summer, the climb with a mountain guide from Plateau Rosa takes about an hour and a half. With skis one crossed the glacier so far with the lifts open for summer skiing.

Photos: (c)Zermatt Bergbahnen

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The wait is over. After an extensive restoration of the historic Grand Hotel Cristallo in Cervinia, the new 5-Star Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Ski Resort opened its doors on December 1st. The impressive redevelopment promises to preserve the allure of the past, while projecting the resort into a new aesthetic and experiential dimension.

Located in Cielo Alto at about 6.500 feet above sea level, the resort’s main building is flanked by two dépendances, called Cristallino 1 and 2, which are internally connected and rated 4 stars.

Location, location, location

It is about 2.600 feet from the center of Cervinia and from the departure of the cable car that provides access to the large international “Matterhorn Ski Paradise”. The ski area has about 217 miles of slopes and is connected by ski lifts, stretching from Valtournenche to Zermatt.

The resort consists of different independent and at the same time interconnected buildings: the central 5-star Cristallo, and two annex buildings next to it, called Cristallino 1 and 2, of 4-star category. The rooms are a total of 234, located in the three buildings.

5-Stars or 4-Stars at Valtur Cervinia Cristallo

The 96 rooms in the main building (5-star category) are divided into: Comfort, Deluxe, Junior Suite and Junior Suite Fit Room, Suite. All rooms have bathrooms with shower, IPTV, telephone, free Wi-Fi, heating, minibar, electronic safe, tea/coffee machine, superior courtesy set, evening turndown service. Also, rooms for people with mobility disabilities are available.

The other 138 rooms are distributed between Cristallino 1 and 2, with different options also suitable for families. Here there are the categories Classic, Dreamy, Comfort, Family, Grand Family, Junior Suite Cristallino (with “Fit Room” option), Cristallino Suite, Cervino Suite and Cervino Master Suite. All rooms have bathroom with shower, IPTV, telephone, free Wi-Fi, courtesy set, heating, minibar, safe, tea/coffee machine.

Let the fun begin

In addition, there is no shortage on amenities: two restaurants, a private dining room, a bistro, two bars, a lobby area, the two highest paddle courts in Europe, a multi-purpose ice skating rink, hockey and curling, a gym, two swimming pools, three dj set stations, theater, Honey Spa, Ski Room by Rossignol with the possibility of renting ski equipment, Luxury Vintage Corner, a refined multi-brand boutique and a state-of-the-art miniclub, the Giorgio Rocca Ski School Cervinia, a treadmill to accompany guests’ skis on the slopes, gaming room, the Cervino Terrace and the Valtur Smart Space for remote working activities. The hotel also operates a complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and the ski lifts from 8:45 am until 4:45 pm. Meaning, guests can enjoy the ski area for the whole day without having to walk.

Dedicated to all 5-star guests are the exclusive ValturExecutive Lounge, a reserved check-in area, a VIP Ski-Room, in addition to concierge and lifestyle assistant services, mattress and pillow menu. Also present in the structure are nutritional biologist, resident performer, personal trainer or running coach and the possibility of organizing private transfers.

As if a full day of skiing is not enough, you will have a wide choice of sports activities, tournaments, courses and wellness activities, exclusive DJ sets, shows, performances and real happenings.

Designed with warm wood and contrasting slate, the hotel combines contemporary décor with timeless furnishings to provide a truly luxurious stay.

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In the Valle d’Aosta it is possible to “gondola” in many places – with one of the numerous, reopened mountain railroads, all places of the year-round active region can be reached again. Always framed by the panoramas of the four 12,000-feet mountain giants Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso, the world-famous Monte Cervino (Matterhorn) and Monte Bianco. The bird’s eye view is free.

SKYWAY – Futuristic Gondola Experience with Summit Happiness

The futuristic giant gondola of the Skyway Mont Blanc takes you from Courmayeur to lofty heights in just 6 minutes. The three stations Pontal d’Entrèves (at 4,000 feet above sea level), Pavillon du Mont Fréty (7,000 feet) and Hellbronner Spitze (11,400 feet) are connected by two cable car sections. At the top, lunch awaits at 11,500 feet with Valdostani products at the Bistrot Panoramic. For dessert, the panoramic view over the Mer de Glace is included for free. This year, the largest cable car installation in the Aosta Valley, which was completely restored in 2018, celebrates its 70th anniversary.
Reservations needed: https://www.montebianco.com/en

PLATEAU ROSA – just a wing beat from the Matterhorn

From Breuil-Cervinia, the cable car takes you 11,400 feet up to the Plateau Rosa. The view of the twelve-thousand-feet peaks is boundless – the silhouette of Monviso in Piedmont in Italy and the Swiss Alpine peaks in Valais. The hut Guide del Cervino on the Testa Grigia, is a strategic base for mountain conquerors and sun worshippers.

Special: Largest summer ski area in Europe! On the Breuil-Cervinia at 11,400 feet of altitude of the glacier on Plateau Rosà there is snow even in July and August. The 16 miles of slopes delight beginners to athletes.

CHAMOIS – The highest place without CO2

The cable car to Chamois (5900 HM) is still a relic of the 50’s. Listed as an “Alpine pearl”, this car-free village at the foot of the Matterhorn is a record-breaker! It is the highest village in the Aosta Valley and one of the highest in all of Italy. To get from the Buisson valley to the quiet mountain village with its cobbled lanes and wooden cottages, the cable car is the only means of transport. Here you can smell the purest mountain air without CO2. A second chairlift continues to the Lod Lake with a wonderful picnic meadow.

Special: Chamois can also be reached on foot in a good hour via an old mule track or from La Magdeleine by mountain bike. The highlight: a small mountain airport for special operations.

THERMICS UNDER THE WINGS – Air Sports Options

Have you ever dreamed of just once flying like a wild bird? Ok, then! Or, like the Italians would say: Va bene! Paragliding, gliding, tandem paragliding or rather a ride in a hot air balloon? It’s all possible in Valle d’Aosta.

Special: Going for a spin in a glider is probably the closest thing to flying like a wild bird. It is pulled up into the air without an engine by a motorized aircraft. Lifted to free flight only by wind energy and the force of lift, it glides silently over glacial seas and grassy slopes. A breathtaking experience. In spring, seminars are held at the Aero Club Valle d’Aosta. Glider pilots can take off all year round.

NOSEDIVE AND HIGH ALTITUDE – E-Bike versa Freeride

I must admit, I am not a mountain biker or E-bike fan at all. Especially not in the mountains. However, I don’t want to be a party pooper. The Aosta Valley is a biker’s paradise. Whether by MTB mountain bike (620 miles of trail network e.g. in Valtournenche or Monte Rosa ), via road bike (Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard), downhill or (easy) freeride in Pila or La Thuile, in Valle d’Aosta everyone “flies” up and down the mountain in their own way with their two-wheeler. In summer, some ski resorts transform their lifts for cycling transport, becoming downhill and freeride tracks.

Special: New e-bike route in Breuil Cervinia, which leads next to the 12 Trails-Enduro through the “Matterhorn Bike Park”. In La Thuile, a sporty freeride route with bike park and a 136-mile cross-country route runs through the two-country corner (France/Italy).

HIGH ALTITUDE TRAIL and HISTORICAL PATH – Alta Via and Cammino Balteo

With a total length of 205 miles, high altitude trails such as the well-known summer hiking trail Alta Via 1 and 2 (medium to higher altitudes 6,500 to 9,800 feet) lead past lush meadows, pastures, forests and rock formations.
No. 1 (Path of the Giants / 17 day hikes) leads along the river valley of the wild Dora Baltea with views of the mountain giants.
No. 2 (Path of Natural Beauties / 14 day hikes) crosses mostly the territory of the Gran Paradiso National Park and the Mont Avic Regional Park. Both run between Donnas to Courmayeur. Bird’s eye view included.

Special: This year saw the opening of the newly developed Cammino Balteo hiking trail. Through 23 stations in the charming lowlands (984-5,200 feet), it leads through the Gallo-Roman history and can be explored like a time traveler past stone castles, castles and bridges.

FROM MOUNTAIN HUT TO CASTLE HOTEL – Cozying up

Accommodation of all price categories can be found throughout the region – from rustic rural guest rooms to castle hotels. Alpine farms provide culinary variety,

Agrotourism, winegrowers and small manufactories (such as Fontina cheese dairies) provide insights into their production facilities. Even in high altitudes, the guests are accommodated in the typical alpine mountain huts (Rifugi Alpini) but also upscale hotel restaurants in the best way.

WELLNESS AND RELAXATION – After landing from the sky ride

Wellness is also a priority in the hospitable Aosta Valley. The nature-bedded thermal baths Pré-Saint-Didier and Saint-Vincent as well as hotel-well-being-zones made of precious natural materials offer pure relaxation after all activities. The direct view of the mountain panorama frees the mind from thoughts and worries.

Are you ready for your adrenaline kick? Find out more what the Aoasta Valley has to offer.

Further information and inspiration at https://www.lovevda.it/en
Detailed information about Valle d’Aosta’s nature and wildlife at https://www.vivavda.it/en
Photos: Valle d’Aosta, Roberto Maggioni PR

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