Zermatt // Zermatt Cervinia

Hi guys

Looking to stay at Zermatt and potentially cross over to Cervinia. I heard that it is cheaper to buy the passes from the Italy side for the Zermatt / Cervinia but apparently that will only work on the mountain not online. Can anyone confirm that?

This is all very foreign to me as I've only ski//snowboard in NZ and Au's. Is it a simple cable car that takes you from the Zermatt side to the Cervinia side? Does it cost money or is it part of the tickets. How long does it take?

Thanks for your help guys

If money isnt an issue for you, stay in Zermatt. If you are on a budget, stay in Cervinia. The lift pass is cheaper from the Italian side, as is the food.

Thanks Tony
Money is definitely a concern however can I stay in Zermatt but buy tickets for the Zermatt on the Cervinia side? Also how is cervinia accessible from Zermatt? Is it a cable car? Bus? Is it difficult to transfer over from Zermatt and vice versa?

If you are staying in Zermatt you have to buy the Zermatt lift pass and vice versa. If you want to go over to Cervinia you have to buy an extension to the Zermatt pass from the Cevinia lift company either on a weekly basis in the form of the international pass or as a daily supplementary ticket (CHF 41). Access to the lifts is electronically controlled so a ticket bought in Cevinia won't let you start skiing from the Zermatt side or vice versa. It gets very windy on Plateau Rosa so the link to Cervinia is often closed, especially in the early part of the season. Check the weather forecast before buying the international pass.

It takes a long time to get up there, it's a long way. The journey comprises a very long gondola ride from Zermatt to Trockner Steg via Furi and Schwarzsee followed by two drag lifts to Testa Grigia, alternatively you can take the cable car from Trockner Steg to the Kleine Matterhorn and ski down to Testa Grigia. Keep an eye on the time as getting stuck on the wrong side after the lifts have closed is very expensive.