Tuscany does not mean only seaside, art and culture. Winter sports lovers can find there many interesting ski resorts. The Tuscan ski runs are the ideal solution both for those who want to learn the basis of skiing and for the most expert.
Aside for ski trails these resorts also offer supporting services such as hotels, restaurants, equipment rental and other facilties. The many restaurants often offers the chance to taste typical dishes of the local cuisine. These beautiful ski places are not so far from the main city centers like Florence, Pisa or Lucca.
Find below a short list and description of the main ski-resorts of Tuscany.
ABETONE AND CUTIGLIANO
Abetone is a town in the province of Pistoia founded in 1936 and situated on the higher peak of the Montagna Pistoiese, known for being a winter resort for winter sports as well as a summer resort.
During wintertime it is possible to ski in one of the 30 different level trails: there are trails for beginners, for people with some experience and for advanced skiers. This is one of the reasons of the success of this resort: the ability to satisfy all its users. During summer you will have the chance to do summer sports like trekking (walking up to Monte Gomito, Monte Cimone or Monte Libro Aperto). Furthermore Abetone is also fully equipped for mountain biking, tennis and soccer.
Still in the province of Pistoia, we want to mention the Doganaccia Resort, situated in Cutigliano, a small village listed as one of the Borghi più Belli d'Italia (Most Beautiful Villages in Italy). Smaller than Abetone, it is considered a great summer and winter destination thanks to the suggestive landscape and its artistic beauties.
MONTE AMIATA
Monte Amiata is a mountain of 1738 metres above the sea level, situated in southern Tuscany, between Maremma - in the province of Grosseto - Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana - in the province of Siena. It is the most important and the most well equipped ski-resort of southern Tuscany and its height allow to ski the whole winter. The resort offers 12 runs for alpine skiing and the chance to relax by visiting the beautiful villages around, tasting the typical dishes of the land, by taking care of your own body in the hotels wellness areas.
ZUM ZERI - IL PASSO DEI DUE SANTI (LUNIGIANA)
Zeri is a town situated in Lunigiana, in the province of Massa Carrara, and is considered the most western town of Tuscany. Lunigiana hosts the quality skiing of the Tuscan-Emilian Appennines.
Near Passo dei Due Santi - on the border between Tuscany and Emilia - we find the ski resort called Zum Zeri - Passo dei Due Santi - that offers 25 kilometres of skiable area. It has 9 ski slopes, a snowpark dedicated to snowboarding and three lifts. The skiable area also have a Baby Play Park that makes the resort ideal even for families and the shelter is also served by restaurants and hotels.
The trails proceeds for 8 kilometres until reaching the highest peak at 1600 metres. From here, you will have the chance to enjoy a breathless view: on a side the Ligurian Sea and on the opposite side the Appennines covered by white snow.
GARFAGNANA (CAREGGINE, CASONE DI PROFECCHIA, PASSO DELLE RADICI)
Garfagnana is in the heart of Apuan Alps a place where it is still possible today to live ancient traditions and uncontaminated landscapes. Garfagnana, with its beautiful wild environment, is the ideal destination for a winter vacation. Ski-lovers can benefit of 3 different resorts (Careggine, Casone di Profecchia, Passo delle Radici) that allows every kind of skier - from the most experienced to the beginner - to spend a day on the snow thanks to the variety of downhills slopes, cross-country skiing slopes and backcountry routes of this area.
- Careggine: Sorrounded by great views of the Apuan Alps or the Appennine, those who will ski here will feel in deep touch with nature thanks to the beautiful ski trails through woods, meadows and mountains. An experience not easy to forget. Its slopes are not difficult, so ideal for beginners or for experienced who want to ski in total relax and without difficulties.
- Casone di Profecchia: The ski routes pass through the wooded area so that people can admire the wonders of nature and the caratheristic smells and sounds of these mountains. It has 3 large and not very long tracks, ideal for those who approach skiing for the first time.
- Passo delle Radici: Is the highest pass of the Appennines, and with its 6 kilometres of slopes, the ski school and 8 kilometres of cross-country skiing, it has all the necessary elements for a perfect holiday winter. Garfagnana's resorts are the perfect combination of discipline and holiday relax in an environment far away from the stressful rhyhtms of the cities, and all these reasons make this area a paradise for skiers.