Skiing at Abetone
Planning | Why go?|
Insiders Knowledge | What's it cost? | Live
Webcam | In the Summer | Accommodation in Abetone
For those visiting during the
winter months, did you know that just ninety minutes drive
from Florence is the winter ski resort of Abetone? Set in the Appenina
mountains above the town of Pistoia it is best reached by car (although
a bus service to the resort does run using the Copit from
Pistoia). The snow at Abetone, except for the occassional exception, is
first rate. This year (2009) the snows came in early December and the
by New Year more than four metres had fallen. The introduction of the
EURO has always been a reference point in Italy for the 'Good times'
(before) and the 'Bad Times' (after). The EURO affect also impacted on
Abetone, but in a positive way. The piste's generally are virtually
empty and combined with the changing of all the ski lifts during the
past four years, you can expect some great skiing in the mountains,
free from the confusion of the popular resorts of Northern Italy, such
as Canazei.
Planning your trip
Take the Firenze mare road direction Viareggio and exiting at Pistoia. Follow signs to Abetone. The road itself is not one to be taken without snow chains, and it climbs and descends two times before making the final climb to Abetone. You will pass through Piano Sinatico, Passo del'Oppio and San Marcello. While it will only take thirty minutes to get to Pistoia, allow at least one-hour for the final leg.
What's it like up high?
They might be babies compared to other ranges, but on a good day, at 1,800 metres, you can see the Alps from the top of the Ovavia. Three of the piste's are named after the Italian slalom champion who used Abetone as his training ground, the Zeno 1,2 and 3 honoured in his name. The Val di Luce (vallley of light) is where snowboarders will find a park to test out jumps and hang out with fellow boarders as well as some other spectacular runs.
Insider knowledge
If you want to avoid the traffic and you intend to stay for a few days at Abetone, a town just before Abetone, Le Regine, is where you'll find the following hotels (cheapest first), Albergo Noemi (057360168), Da Tosca (057360317) and Tirolo (057360334), which are all two stars, with prices from thirty to sixty euro's a night (it's recommended full board because at Le Regine at night there isn't much to see or do once the day is at the end). In the mornings there is a single ski-lift with a fast connection to the top of the mountain, so you'll be able to wave at all those people in the queue on the road going up to Abetone. If you plan to goto Abetone for New Year, make sure that you plan your return to Florence at least one day after January 1 as the road coming down the mountain get's completely and utterly blocked with traffic.
Osteria La Limonaia
tel: 0573400453
A good place to eat on the
way to Abetone (or on the way back down for that matter) is the Osteria
La Limonaia. It is signposted from the main road and is on the left
hand side shortly before the road begins winding up the mountain. Open
for lunches and suppers.
Special Accommodation in Abetone
We own a house in the Regine which is walking distance from the ski-lift at the Regine. From there you can access all the slopes of Abetone. The house, which is on the second flloor, comprises: one double room, one single room with two bunk-beds, plus a double sofa bed in the living room. An open fire for cooking Bistecca after a day on the slopes and privacy makes this a superb place for taking a family break. There is an outside wrap around terrace with lovely views onto the mountains. We are intending to let the house for 2 weeks during the xmas and new year period. Use the contact form to make further enquiries about this house.
What does it cost to Ski at Abetone?
- A full day pass costs EURO 34 (plus €5 for the ski pass card, that is refunded at the end of the day).
- Skis + boots / Snowboard costs approximately EURO 20
- Special discounts are usually offered to people doing a full week of skiing -"una settimana bianca".
- Ski-pass discounts for large groups or international visitors are available at the Multipass agency in Abetone town.
What's it like now?
Check the snow at Abetone with these webcam links.
In the Summer?
When the sweltering heat hits Florence during the months of July and August, many break for the mountains to enjoy the natural beauty of the Appenine mountains. Some of the ski-lifts remain open and so you can take one to the top of the mountain and then walk down. Those with montain bikes also venture up to enjoy the woodland descents through what becomes an oasis of green.
