Skiing in Tuscany: Four Mountains for All Tastes

If you consider Tuscany only a summer destination, think twice. You are getting only half the goodies, as the “Tuscan sun” is just as enjoyable on ski slopes. The winter months offer plenty of opportunities to keep enjoying the mountain top scenery of this region, resting in comfortable Tuscan apartments or characteristic hotels.
The most popular destination is the Abetone mountains, across the border with Emilia Romagna. However, Mount Amiata and the chains in Garfagnana and Lunigiana offer wonderful scenery, although somewhat shorter slopes.

The Appennine skiing season, in Tuscany, starts at the beginning of December and ends during the last week of March. The peak season traditionally starts on December 23 until the end of February. This is the most crowded period and also the most expensive in terms of accommodation and slope access fees. Try to aim for the low season before December 23 during the Christmas season, it will be all the more characteristic.

View of Val Di Luce on Mount Abetone

Mount Abetone is in northern Tuscany, in the province of Pistoia.
It features 50 kilometres of Alpine skiing slopes and 18 of Nordic skiing. 22 slopes are easy, 12 medium and 2 hard. You will find modern and fast lifts, while along the slopes are located typical restaurants where you can stop to eat, rest and suntan. Abetone, with incredibly beautiful scenery, is a regular destination for European cup competitions and has also hosted world cups in recent years. The daily cost for the full pass is 26 to 32 Euros per person. The weekly pass is 177 Euros per person. In resort, you will be able to rent skis and all other ski accessories at a daily or weekly fee.
For lovers of comfort, the Hotel Boscolungo is recommended. Whereas if you are more on a budget, the best deal is to rent fully equipped Tuscan apartments, as some of the best studios start at 250 Euros per week. Another costly but excellent hotel is the Valdiluce Spa Resort.

In Lunigiana, across the Tuscan-Emilian Appennine, is the pass of Due Santi and Zum Zeri.
In total, there are 25 kilometres of slopes. The baby playground makes them the perfect family slopes. At 1600 metres high, the view of the Ligurian sea is wonderful, sweeping from the white snow tops to the blue Mediterranean sea. The daily pass is 19 to 25 Euros per person, while a weekly pass is not offered.
The Sporthotel La Gran Baita offers all comforts to relax after a day on the slopes. However, prices are quite high. Lower prices can be found renting a self-catering apartment in town or on the slopes. Farmhouses and working farms offer another mid range option.

Garfagnana offers a network of three ski resorts, including Passo delle Radici, Careggine and Casone di Profecchia.
Careggine offers splendid panoramas and 5 kilometers of slopes, plus another 5 of cross country skiing. Casone di Profecchia has two short slopes for beginners and 15 kilometers of certified cross country skiing. Passo delle Radici has one slope and is mainly targeted   at beginners and children.
These three small resorts are targeted at families. Adults pay 12 Euros per day, while children ski for free. The best accommodation on the spot is the hotel and restaurant Il Casone, right on the slopes of Casone di Profecchia. The owners also manage the ski lifts, therefore they can have special skiing deals for guests. They are famous in the area for their typically Tuscan homely cooking.

Mount Amiata is located between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto, in southern Tuscany.
The ski resorts of Amiata are second only to Abetone, although slopes are fewer and shorter. Usually pretty crowded during weekends, it is more pleasurable during weekdays. There are 12 slopes with 10 kilometres of Alpine skiing and 10 kilometres of cross country skiing. A snowboard park is also available but without a half-pipe. The daily pass is 13 Euros for adults and 1 Euro for children.
A great way to experience Amiata is to ski in the morning and depart for a daytrip in the afternoon and discover many of the localities, on the sides of the mountain. Two nice hotels are Parco dei Faggi and La Capannina, on the top of the mountain. In addition, you can rent wonderful chalets and romantic Tuscany apartments by the wooded slopes for weekly periods.

In Tuscany you will find the right mountain for all your needs, you just have to choose. Do not forget to try all the local culinary specialities, some of which are found only in the bars and restaurants alongside the slopes.

About the Author: Matt is an amateur skier who lives in Tuscany, Italy. If you would like to know more on accommodation, near the skiing areas, visit Tuscany apartments.


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3 responses to “Skiing in Tuscany: Four Mountains for All Tastes”

  1. t avatar
    t

    Thank you for the post.
    I am thinking of going to Abetone for a week in March or April on a ski holiday. Are the skiing conditions still good in March or April ?
    Do you know where there is some information on planning a ski holiday in Abetone, such as where it is best to stay in order to be close to the ski lifts, what are the possibilities of public transport from Bologna to Abetone, what are the costs of food and accomodotaion, etc.

    Thanks.

  2. Matt avatar
    Matt

    @t Hi, Matt here.
    I would say that April is definitely late for Abetone, although the weather can be unpredictable, but to be on the safe side I would go end of February beginning of March.
    As far as holiday planning I would ask the APT (Tourist promotion agency) of Pistoia, they speak English for sure. If you are into a budget holiday, I once stayed in a lovely 2-star family-run hotel. Can’t remember the name, but there are such occasions on Abetone. It was not on the slopes of course, 10 minutes driving from the ski-lifts. Hope it helped!

  3. t avatar
    t

    Thanks.