Ski to Zermatt

Cross-border ski trip to Switzerland via the Theodul Pass

The link from Cervinia to Zermatt over the Theodul Pass is one of the iconic cross-border ski experiences in the Alps. A series of lifts takes you up to the Plateau Rosa, over the watershed, and down into the Zermatt ski area in Switzerland — a different country, a different language, much higher prices.

In good snow conditions and clear weather the round trip is a full day's skiing and entirely doable for a competent intermediate. The Italian terrain is easier; the Swiss runs back to Zermatt include some steeper, more interesting pitches. Bring euros, Swiss francs, and a passport — you cross an international border, though there is no check. Note that the link can close at short notice in bad weather, leaving you on the wrong side; check the forecast before committing.

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Cervinia and Zermatt have been linked by lifts since the 1970s, but the new Matterhorn Alpine Crossing cable car, opened in 2023, allows non-skiers to make the full crossing in a gondola for the first time. The 12-minute ride between the Italian and Swiss sides passes directly under the south face of the Matterhorn.