Skiing in the Apennines: central and southern Italy guide

Skiing in Italy is not just about the Alps. The Apennines offer genuine, often underrated skiing, with surprisingly good slopes, affordable prices and a mountain culture all of their own. From Abruzzo to Sicily, by way of Tuscany, the Marche and Calabria, here is everything you need to know about skiing in central and southern Italy.

Why choose the Apennines

Close to the big cities: Rome, Naples, Florence and Bari are 1 to 3 hours away by car
Lower prices: ski passes, accommodation and food cost 30-50% less than in the Alps
Surprisingly good snow: the high altitudes in Abruzzo (1,800-2,900 m) mean good conditions
Fewer people: hardly any queues, and wide, quiet slopes
Outstanding food: every region has its own mountain specialities

Abruzzo: the mountains closest to Rome

Abruzzo has the strongest ski tradition in the Apennines, thanks to the Gran Sasso and Maiella massifs.

Roccaraso-Rivisondoli

Roccaraso is the largest ski area in central and southern Italy:

Over 100 km of slopes between 1,309 and 2,141 m
Day pass: €38
Slopes for every level, from beginner to expert
Linked with Rivisondoli and Pescocostanzo

Campo Imperatore

Campo Imperatore is the highest ski resort in the Apennines:

Up to 2,912 m on the Gran Sasso
Reliable snow thanks to the extreme altitude
A wild, lunar landscape nicknamed Italy’s ‘Little Tibet’
A historic cable car, running since 1934

Ovindoli-Monte Magnola

Ovindoli is the favourite with people from Rome:

Just 1.5 hours from Rome
30 km of well-groomed slopes
A snow park for younger skiers
A family atmosphere

Campo Felice

Campo Felice is the best value in Abruzzo:

Wide, sunny slopes
A cheap ski pass
Close to Rocca di Mezzo and the Campo Felice plain

Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna

Abetone

Abetone is the main ski area for Tuscany and the northern part of Emilia-Romagna:

50 km of slopes between 1,388 and 1,941 m
On the historic Via Ximeniana road, on the border between the two regions
Lively après-ski for an Apennine resort
2 hours from Florence, Bologna and Pisa

Monte Amiata

Monte Amiata, an extinct volcano in southern Tuscany, is an unusual place to ski:

Slopes through beech woods, with views over the Val d’Orcia
Ideal for beginners and families
After skiing, the natural hot springs of Bagno Vignoni and Saturnia

Corno alle Scale and Cerreto Laghi

Corno alle Scale (Emilia-Romagna) and Cerreto Laghi are the local ski resorts for Bologna, Modena and Reggio Emilia.

Marche and Lazio

Frontignano and Bolognola

Frontignano and Bolognola, in the Sibillini Mountains, offer skiing in outstanding natural surroundings, in the heart of the national park.

Monte Terminillo

Monte Terminillo has long been known as ‘Rome’s mountain’. Just 100 km from the capital, it has had its ups and downs but remains a favourite with skiers from Lazio.

Campania, Molise and Basilicata

Laceno

Laceno, in Irpinia (Campania), is the southernmost resort of the central Apennines: a small ski area for families and beginners, surrounded by beech woods.

Campitello Matese

Campitello Matese, in Molise, is surprisingly good for a southern resort, both for the quality of the snow and the extent of the slopes:

Up to 2,050 m
An active snow park
One of the cheapest ski passes in Italy

Monte Sirino and Pollino

Monte Sirino and Pollino, in Basilicata, offer skiing in wild, little-visited country, perfect if you want somewhere unspoilt.

Calabria and Sicily: Europe’s southernmost skiing

Lorica and Gambarie

Lorica and Gambarie prove that you can ski in Calabria too, on slopes that look out over the Mediterranean.

Mount Etna: skiing on an active volcano

Etna Nord and Etna Sud offer something unique in the world: skiing on an active volcano at 3,300 metres, with sea views and solidified lava flows beside the slopes. There is nothing like it in the Alps.

Piano Battaglia (Sicily)

Piano Battaglia, in the Madonie mountains, is Sicily’s other ski resort: small but charming, in the heart of a nature park.

Practical tips for skiing in the Apennines

Always check the snow conditions: the weather in the Apennines is more changeable
Carry snow chains: access roads can ice up quickly
Arrive early: car parks fill up fast at weekends
Try the local food: arrosticini in Abruzzo, pappardelle with wild boar in Tuscany, ‘nduja in Calabria
Think about Mondays and Tuesdays: many resorts are almost empty on weekdays

For up-to-date conditions, see our weather pages. For live pictures, see the webcams section.