Skiing in Abruzzo – snow report
The most popular ski resorts, the updated snow report and useful information on how to find lifts or book accommodation for your winter holiday
By car
Getting there
- From Rome: A24 to the Tornimparte–Campo Felice exit, then the SS 696 and the Serralunga tunnel, which links the Campo Felice plain with the plateau (Brecciara side, Rocca di Cambio).
- From L’Aquila: SS 5 bis towards Ocre and Rocca di Cambio, about half an hour’s drive.
- From the Marsica: from Celano you climb to Ovindoli and from there reach the plateau.
The village
Rocca di Mezzo
Altitude
1,329 m
Municipality
Rocca di Mezzo
The largest village on the plateau, set among meadows at about 1,300 metres. It is the starting point for the Piani di Pezza, the cross-country ski trails and the cycle path linking it to Rocca di Cambio.
Things to do
- Hikes and snowshoeing on the Piani di Pezza
- From the Piani di Pezza to the Sella degli Etruschi
- Snowshoeing on the plateau
- The east face of Monte Sirente
Did you know? In late spring the meadows around the village fill with wild narcissi, which Rocca di Mezzo has long celebrated with a festival.
Local food
- Polenta on the wooden board — Polenta poured onto the wooden board with sausage sauce and eaten by everyone together.
- Pecora alla callara — Mutton cooked for hours in a copper cauldron with herbs and chilli, the shepherds’ dish.
- Fettuccine with wild mushrooms — Egg fettuccine with poplar and field mushrooms picked in autumn.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Rocca di Mezzo: 0862 91121
- Ski school: 0862 918298
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Rocca di Mezzo
- A Faccia Vista Largo Barberini, 9, Rocca di Mezzo · 345 603 6867
- L’Agrifoglio Via di Pezza, Rocca di Mezzo · 331 981 3135
- Baita dei Pini Località Pineta Bassa, Rocca di Mezzo · 366 534 3168
- Trattorias and restaurants in Rocca di Mezzo: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Rovere
Altitude
1,432 m
Municipality
Rocca di Mezzo
A hamlet of Rocca di Mezzo at about 1,400 metres, a stone village on the southern edge of the plateau, on the road to Ovindoli with the Sirente in front of it.
Things to do
- From Rovere you enter the Piani di Pezza on foot or on snowshoes
- Towards the Velino and the Sebastiani hut
- Skiing at Ovindoli, a few minutes away
Did you know? Above the village stand the ruins of Rovere’s medieval castle, overlooking the whole plateau.
Local food
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
- Grilled castrato mutton — Castrato mutton chops on the grill, a home favourite around L’Aquila.
- Grilled lamb and coratella — Lamb chops on the embers and coratella (offal) in the pan with onion and artichokes.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Rocca di Mezzo: 0862 91121
- Mountain hut Il Lupo: 0862 196 5376
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Rovere
- Chalet il Camoscio Largo Pasqualina, Via Franco Nusca, Rovere · 0862 917249
- Risotteria del Borgo Largo Pasqualina, Via Franco Nusca, Rovere · 339 867 9964
- Trattorias and restaurants in Rovere: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Terranera
Altitude
1,270 m
Municipality
Rocca di Mezzo
A small hamlet of Rocca di Mezzo on the eastern side of the plateau, looking towards the Aterno valley: a good starting point for quiet walks among meadows and woods.
Things to do
Did you know? It is the quietest hamlet on the plateau: no ski lifts, just meadows, woods and the view over the Aterno valley.
Local food
- Polenta on the wooden board — Polenta poured onto the wooden board with sausage sauce and eaten by everyone together.
- L’Aquila liver sausage — Horseshoe-shaped, spicy or sweet with honey: eaten on Easter morning. A Slow Food Presidium.
- Fucino potatoes and carrots PGI — Potatoes and carrots from the reclaimed Fucino plain, two Abruzzo PGIs.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Rocca di Mezzo: 0862 91121
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Terranera
- Trattorias and restaurants in Terranera: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Rocca di Cambio
Altitude
1,434 m
Municipality
Rocca di Cambio
At about 1,430 metres it is one of the highest municipalities in the Apennines. From here you reach the Brecciara side of Campo Felice; in the village the church of Santa Lucia, with its medieval frescoes, is worth a visit. There is also a webcam on the plateau.
Things to do
- Skiing at Campo Felice from the Brecciara side
- From the Brecciara to Monte Rotondo on touring skis
- Campo Felice in the snow
- The Rocca di Cambio webcam
Did you know? At 1,434 metres it is considered the highest municipality in the Apennines.
Local food
- Fettuccine with wild mushrooms — Egg fettuccine with poplar and field mushrooms picked in autumn.
- Pecora alla callara — Mutton cooked for hours in a copper cauldron with herbs and chilli, the shepherds’ dish.
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
Useful numbers
- Ski lifts Campo Felice: 0862 914507
- Ski lifts Brecciara: 0862 916398
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Rocca di Cambio
- Trattorias and restaurants in Rocca di Cambio: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Ovindoli
Altitude
1,375 m
Municipality
Ovindoli
Ovindoli, at about 1,375 metres, is the plateau’s ski resort, with the Monte Magnola lifts. In summer it is the base for walking down towards the Celano gorges and for hikes on the Sirente.
Things to do
- Skiing on Monte Magnola: slopes, chairlifts and snowpark
- Trekking in the Celano gorges
- Monte Sirente, opposite the village
- Avezzano and the Marsica, half an hour away
Did you know? On clear days the Magnola slopes look down over the whole Fucino plain, once one of Italy’s largest lakes.
Local food
- Fucino potatoes and carrots PGI — Potatoes and carrots from the reclaimed Fucino plain, two Abruzzo PGIs.
- Marsica truffles — Black winter, summer scorzone and white truffles in the woods of the Marsica.
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Ovindoli: 0863 706100
- Ski lifts Monte Magnola: 0863 705058
- Ski school Tre Nevi: 0863 705347
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Ovindoli
- I Divini Sapori Via Osvaldo Moretti, 22, Ovindoli · 334 735 7554
- Trattorias and restaurants in Ovindoli: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Casamaina
Altitude
1,363 m
Municipality
Lucoli
Casamaina, a hamlet of Lucoli at 1,363 metres, lies on the Campo Felice plain rather than on the plateau, but with the Serralunga tunnel the Altopiano delle Rocche is only a few minutes away: a good base for skiing at Campo Felice and visiting the Rocche villages.
Things to do
Did you know? The municipality of Lucoli is made up of many small hamlets scattered along the valley: Casamaina is the highest and the closest to the slopes.
Local food
- Pecora alla callara — Mutton cooked for hours in a copper cauldron with herbs and chilli, the shepherds’ dish.
- Fettuccine with wild mushrooms — Egg fettuccine with poplar and field mushrooms picked in autumn.
- L’Aquila liver sausage — Horseshoe-shaped, spicy or sweet with honey: eaten on Easter morning. A Slow Food Presidium.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Lucoli: 0862 73160
- Ski lifts Campo Felice: 0862 914507
- Pharmacy Lucoli: 0862 73911
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Casamaina
- Trattorias and restaurants in Casamaina: search on TripAdvisor
At the table
Food and traditions
Local dishes and products, with the recipes and guides on our site.
The plateau’s food is that of the L’Aquila mountains: mutton and lamb, mushrooms from the woods, potatoes, shepherds’ cheeses and warming winter dishes.
- Fettuccine with wild mushrooms — Egg fettuccine with poplar and field mushrooms picked in autumn.
- Polenta on the wooden board — Polenta poured onto the wooden board with sausage sauce and eaten by everyone together.
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
- Grilled castrato mutton — Castrato mutton chops on the grill, a home favourite around L’Aquila.
- Pecora alla callara — Mutton cooked for hours in a copper cauldron with herbs and chilli, the shepherds’ dish.
- Grilled lamb and coratella — Lamb chops on the embers and coratella (offal) in the pan with onion and artichokes.
- L’Aquila liver sausage — Horseshoe-shaped, spicy or sweet with honey: eaten on Easter morning. A Slow Food Presidium.
- Marsica truffles — Black winter, summer scorzone and white truffles in the woods of the Marsica.
- Fucino potatoes and carrots PGI — Potatoes and carrots from the reclaimed Fucino plain, two Abruzzo PGIs.