When it comes to mountains, snow and winter sports, from Tuscany on down, there is one big reference point: Abruzzo. In whatever corner of the region one finds oneself, it is enough to run one’s eyes over the horizon line to cross majestic mountain profiles and breathtaking views. These are those of Gran Sasso, Majella, Monti della Laga, the Sirente Velino group, and the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise. A high-altitude world that constitutes the most formidable mountain complex in the entire Apennine chain, touching 3,000 meters with Corno Grande, the highest peak of the Gran Sasso and the Apennines.
Among Abruzzo’s many ski resorts capable of making the most popular and well-equipped Dolomites envious, the Ovindoli-Monte Magnola, Campo Felice, Campo Imperatore, Monte Piselli-Prati di Tivo, Passolanciano-Majelletta, Campo di Giove, Roccaraso-Rivisondoli, Pescocostanzo and Pescasseroli complexes deserve attention.
OVINDOLI – MOUNT MAGNOLA
A small town in the province of L’Aquila, Ovindoli is located within the Sirente-Velino Regional Park, in the so-called Altopiano delle Rocche plateau. It is a popular destination for tourists especially for the Monte Magnola ski resort, which, with 21 slopes of varying levels of difficulty and 11 state-of-the-art lifts, ranks among the most popular in Italy. The ski resort is located about 2 km from the historic center of the village, where it is possible to admire the Church of San Sebastiano, Ovindola’s main place of worship, and the Monumento dell’Alpino, in memory of the citizens who fell during the war, located at one of the vantage points from which it is possible to enjoy a marvelous view of the entire Fucino basin.
To reach the facilities, the AIELLI/CELANO exit of the A25 highway is recommended.
HAPPY FIELD
Campo Felice is a karst plateau in the Abruzzo Apennines in the province of L’Aquila. It is one of the most renowned ski resorts in central Italy for offering numerous recreational activities and is easily accessible from Rome and the main capitals. Positioned on the slopes of the Velino massif, the Campo Felice ski resort is part of the Tre Nevi ski area along with Ovindoli-Monte Magnola and Campo Imperatore.
To reach the facilities, the TORNIMPARTE exit of the A24 highway is recommended.
EMPEROR CAMP
In the heart of the Gran Sasso massif and the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park lies a vast plateau of glacial and karst-alluvial origin: Campo Imperatore. It is home to theastronomical observatory, the alpine botanical garden and theski resort of the same name. To reach it you can use the Gran Sasso d’Italia Cable Car, one of the longest in Europe, which connects the Campo Imperatore ski resort to the Fonte Cerreto tourist resort, located at an altitude of 1150 meters. This resort is strategically located, just a few kilometers from L’Aquila and the Assergi highway exit on the A24.
To reach the facilities, the ASSERGI exit of the A24 highway is recommended.
MOUNT PEAS – PRATI DI TIVO
On the Teramo side of Gran Sasso, in the Prati di Tivo ski area, the slopes of Monte Piselli extend for about 6 kilometers and provide different levels of difficulty. Near the quaint village of Pietracamela it is possible to go cross-country skiing, traverse centuries-old beech forests with snowshoes on your feet or engage in mountaineering.
To reach the facilities, the SAN GABRIELE/COLLEDARA exit of the A24 highway is recommended.
PASSOLANCIANO – MAJELLETTA
Passolanciano – Majelletta is a ski resort at the northern end of Majella’s main ridge, within Majella National Park. This complex climbs from 1318 meters above sea level at Passolanciano to 1995 meters above sea level at Majelletta, although the two resorts are not directly connected. It offers 27 km of slopes of varying levels, a well-equipped snow park and various ski touring and snowshoeing trails. It has been the arrival or transit point of the Giro d’Italia many times and offers breathtaking views that embrace the snow-covered slopes, the Teatine hills and the blue Adriatic Sea.
To reach the facilities, the ALANNO/SCAFA exit of the A25 highway is recommended.
FIELD OF JEW.
Also in the Majella National Park territory, Campo di Giove ‘ s facilities offer 10 km of slopes, from the blue ones to the black slope of Porrara. Ski touring trails can be found at Le Piane, while the summit of the Round Table, at 2,403 meters, has the highest skiable drop in the Apennines. Numerous snowshoeing trails round out the sporting offerings of a high-altitude area noted for the beauty and variety of its landscapes.
To reach the facilities, the PRATOLA P./SULMONA exit of the A25 highway is recommended.
ROCCARASO – RIVISONDOLI
Roccaraso, nestled in the heart of the Apennines at 1250 meters above sea level, is one of the most important ski resorts in Central Italy, frequented since the early 20th century. The medieval village was composed of houses, buildings and small churches made of rough stone that were mostly destroyed during World War II. The proximity between Roccaraso and Rivisondoli enabled the latter to gain popularity in the late 19th century, when it was included along the Sulmona-Isernia railway line. However, Rivisondoli’s consecration as a tourist hub occurred in the early 1900s, when King Victor Emmanuel visited it with his family, helping to raise awareness of this splendid Abruzzo resort. Together with the Roccaraso and Monte Pratello lifts, it gives rise to the Alto Sangro ski area, the largest in central-southern Italy, which hosts up to 100 km of slopes.
To reach the facilities, the PRATOLA P./SULMONA exit of the A25 highway is recommended.
PESCOCOSTANZO
InAlto Sangro, you can also choose the Pescocostanzo Vallefura lifts, served by the Valle Gelata chairlift near the quaint village of Pescocostanzo, embellished with numerous churches and historic buildings, at 1,400 meters above sea level. With 10 km of slopes with varying gradients, the Pesco Snowpark presents a wide range of offerings suitable for both children and advanced skiers. In the nearby St. Anthony’s Woods the three cross-country skiing loops offer an evocative route through one of Italy’s oldest beech forests, within Majella National Park.
To reach the facilities, the PRATOLA P./SULMONA exit of the A25 highway is recommended.
PESCASSEROLI
Located in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, Pescasseroli has 8.5 km of slopes and five lifts, located between the Vitelle and Ceraso mountains. In addition to the legendary Direttissima black slope, it also has a baby slope and one for snow tubing. Near the Forca d’Acero pass are the Macchiarvana cross-country skiing trails and some of the most scenic snowshoeing routes.
To reach the facilities, the PESCINA exit of the A25 highway is recommended.
