Youth Writers
Skiing across borders: What military kids learn on the slopes of Zermatt and Cervinia
By
Stars and Stripes May 5, 2026
Anna Allen, Stuttgart High School
Stars and Stripes May 5, 2026
I’ve been skiing in Zermatt and Cervinia since 2016, when my family was stationed at Ramstein Air Base, and it has become one of my favorite places in Europe. (Sergey Novikov (Adobe Stock))
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One of the most unique things about skiing in Europe is that you can cross international borders without ever even removing your skis.
That border is between Zermatt, Switzerland, and Cervinia, Italy: two ski resorts connected on opposite sides of the Matterhorn. I’ve been skiing there since 2016, when my family was stationed at Ramstein Air Base, and it has become one of my favorite places in Europe. What makes it special and memorable isn’t just the skiing or scenery, but how it combines culture, accessibility, affordability and convenience for military families living overseas.
What makes it special and memorable isn’t just the skiing or scenery, but how it combines culture, accessibility, affordability and convenience for military families living overseas. (Chris Cross/KOTO (Adobe Stock))
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Zermatt and Cervinia feel very different, even though they share the same mountain. Zermatt is famously car-free and very polished, with quiet streets and high-end shops. Cervinia feels more relaxed and lively, with Italian music playing at slope-side restaurants and their slow paced culture. The ski runs don’t change when you cross the border, but the atmosphere does, and seeing those contrasts has always been a significant part of the experience for me.
For military families, these two resorts also make skiing in the Alps much more affordable than people expect. One of the biggest cost savers starts before you even arrive. Many military families can rent skis and boots through their local Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs, which is far cheaper than renting equipment in resort towns, especially for kids who are still growing.
Many military families can rent skis and boots through their local Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs, which is far cheaper than renting equipment in resort towns, especially for kids who are still growing. (Jacek Chabraszewski (Adobe Stock))
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Where you stay and buy ski services matters even more. Staying in Cervinia is significantly cheaper than staying in Zermatt, with more affordable hotels, apartments, and restaurants. Ski passes and ski lessons are also much less expensive on the Italian side. What surprises many people is that an Italian lift pass still allows you to ski freely into Switzerland and back again, giving access to both Cervinia and Zermatt without paying Swiss prices.
This makes Cervinia a convenient base for military families who want the full international experience without the high cost. You can eat Italian food, take lessons in Italy and still spend the day skiing Swiss runs; all on the same pass.
For military kids, skiing across borders feels especially meaningful. Growing up overseas already exposes us to different cultures, but skiing between countries adds another layer. In one day, you can hear multiple languages on the chairlift, eat authentic Italian pizza or pasta for lunch and finish the afternoon back in Switzerland. The border itself is marked at the top of the mountain and stopping there is never not thrilling.
Where you stay and buy ski services matters even more. (dell (Adobe Stock))
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Together, Cervinia and Zermatt offer one of the most convenient and versatile ski experiences in all of Europe. Cervinia offers wide and gentle slopes, which is perfect for families looking for a relaxed ski vacation, while Zermatt is home to more steep and challenging runs. However, both resorts have a great mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes, so there truly is something for everyone.
These two resorts also sit at relatively high altitudes, which almost guarantees snow from December all the way until April, making it a perfect destination for winter break, spring break, or even a weekend trip. Cervinia and Zermatt are also very convenient location wise, due to the fact that they are a mere few hours’ drive from many major American military stations in Europe, such as Ramstein, Wiesbaden and Stuttgart bases in Germany, and Aviano and Vicenza bases in Italy.
For military families stationed in Europe, Zermatt and Cervinia offer more than world-class skiing. They offer an affordable way to explore Europe, experience multiple cultures in a single day, and create memories that military kids will carry long after their families move on.
Cervinia and Zermatt are also very convenient location wise, due to the fact that they are a mere few hours’ drive from many major American military stations in Europe, such as Ramstein, Wiesbaden and Stuttgart bases in Germany, and Aviano and Vicenza bases in Italy. (Angelov (Adobe Stock))
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Editor’s Note: This article was written by a member of the local military community, not an employee of Stars and Stripes. Neither the organization nor the content is being represented by Stars and Stripes or the Department of War.