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Cervinia/Zermatt weekend snowboarding trip

Tuesday, 11. 28. 2006  –  Category: Snowboarding

After much anticipation, planning and build up, 12 of us went for a long weekend in Cervinia this weekend gone.

Whilst we stayed in Cervinia, most of the snowboarding was to be had in Zermatt, which joins the Cervinia ski area on the Italian/Swiss boarder, so taking your passport out on the hill is a must!

In late November its very early season, so Zermatt’s glacier comes into its own, whilst Cervinia offers cheaper accommodation and an easy transfer from Turin Airport (about 1.5 hours).

So, the early season… many people wouldn’t dream of going skiing or snowboarding in January let alone November. Which is great as far as I’m concerned, means less people on the slopes. In practice though, we were at the mercy of the weather. But not a lack of snow; more the heavy winds. Our trip allowed for 3 days on the slopes - Friday, Saturday and Sunday - but unfortunately the lifts were closed on the Saturday due to the wind.

The Friday also suffered from bad weather, with pretty poor visibility and cold weather forcing many of our group to head home early, with the exeption of a couple of the hardcore, myself included who had been counting the days down since booking the flights in July.

With the lifts shut on Saturday, we went and bought a shovel, went hiking and found a nice to build a kicker, and then proceeded to hit that for the next few hours. Quick lunch break, gathered the troops and headed back up. For more fun and games.

Sunday was an absolute treat. The previous days bad weather had cleared and the sun was out. Clear skies all day. We rode every run that was open pretty much, had time to break for lunch before doing some more. Great day.

The resort was relatively quiet though a few seasonaires were sharing the bars with us. Good spots to check out include the Yetti bar (nice, friendly staff - will show the football if you ask, and keep you topped up with snacks to wash your many beers down with), and the Welsh bar next-door (can’t remember what it’s called The Dragon & Thistle).

Another tip - many of the restaurants will give you a bottle of Grappa and Lemoncello when you’ve finished your meal. Grappa is filth. Filth! And is likely to leave you full of remorse on the lift up the hill the next day.

We stayed at the Hotel Meuble Joli for the second year running. It’s a great little hotel run by a dude called Bruno, a ski instructor. Great value, with great turbo strength coffee to get you going in the morning.

Will be back there same time next year no doubt. Now counting the days down to the next trip… Morzine in 30 days.

Tags: Cervinia, Italy, Ski Weather, Switzerland, Zermatt