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 Teramo through the Gran Sasso tunnel; the Colledara–San Gabriele exit is the handiest for Isola del Gran Sasso, Tossicia and Castelli.
- From the coast: A14, exits Teramo–Giulianova (for Campli, Canzano and Civitella del Tronto) and Atri–Pineto (for Atri).
- From Teramo: the SS 80 climbs the Vomano valley towards Montorio and Prati di Tivo; provincial roads reach the other villages in about half an hour.
The village
Atri 442 m
Altitude
442 m
Municipality
Atri
Once the capital of the Acquaviva duchy, Atri is an art town looking out over the Adriatic. The cathedral, a national monument, has a 57-metre bell tower and a fresco cycle by Andrea De Litio; beneath the old town lie a Roman theatre and ancient cisterns, and all around are the badlands of the WWF reserve.
Things to do
- The badlands of the WWF reserve, right outside town
- Atri liquorice, made since 1836
- The sea at Pineto and Silvi, a few kilometres away
- Teramo, the provincial capital
Did you know? On 14 August, after a historical parade, the bishop opens the cathedral’s Holy Door, which stays open for eight days: a tradition dating back to 1300 and attributed to Pope Celestine V, whose mother came from Atri, or to Boniface VIII.
Local food
- Atri liquorice — Liquorice made in Atri since 1836: wheels, sticks, pastilles and sweets.
- Timballo teramano — Layers of crêpes with ragù, tiny meatballs, scamorza and eggs, baked in the oven.
- Pretuziano delle Colline Teramane PDO olive oil — The extra virgin oil of the hills between the Gran Sasso and the Adriatic, from Leccino, Frantoio and Dritta.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Atri: 085 879 1311
- Nature reserve Calanchi di Atri: 085 878 0088
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Atri
- La Locanda dei Sanniti Via dei Sanniti, 36, Atri · 328 013 0049
- Pomodoro & Basilico Via dei Sanniti, 30, Atri · 338 166 6173
- Castellum Vetus Vinaria Piazza della Cooperazione, 1, Atri · 393 857 0329
- Trattorias and restaurants in Atri: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Castelli 497 m
Altitude
497 m
Municipality
Castelli
The ceramics village beneath the face of Monte Camicia, in the Gran Sasso Park, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. Its workshops have made majolica since the Renaissance; the Ceramics Museum is in the old Franciscan convent and the little church of San Donato has a ceiling made entirely of painted tiles.
Things to do
- Monte Camicia, the great face above the village
- Up to Campo Imperatore by the Fonte Vetica road
- Gran Sasso trails
Did you know? The writer Carlo Levi called the church of San Donato “the Sistine Chapel of majolica”: its ceiling is made of some eight hundred tiles painted in the early 17th century.
Local food
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
- Scrippelle ’mbusse — Crêpes rolled with pecorino and served in chicken broth, the festive first course of Teramo.
- Ventricina teramana (spreadable salami) — The soft cured pork to spread on bread, with pepper, garlic, rosemary and orange zest.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Castelli: 0861 979142
- Park authority Gran Sasso e Laga: 0862 60521
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Castelli
- Arrosticini Santa Maria della Neve Località Santa Maria della Neve, Castelli · 338 861 6885
- Trattorias and restaurants in Castelli: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Isola del Gran Sasso 407 m
Altitude
407 m
Municipality
Isola del Gran Sasso d’Italia
The village sits between the Mavone and Ruzzo streams, facing the north face of the Gran Sasso. Just outside the centre is the Shrine of San Gabriele dell’Addolorata, patron saint of young people and of Abruzzo, visited by huge numbers of pilgrims every year.
Things to do
- Hikes on the Teramo side of the Gran Sasso
- Three days trekking between the huts
- Prati di Tivo and the snow
Did you know? It is known as “the village of mottoes”: Latin phrases are carved on the lintels of doors and windows in the old centre, such as “Melius mori quam foedari” (better to die than be dishonoured).
Local food
- Timballo teramano — Layers of crêpes with ragù, tiny meatballs, scamorza and eggs, baked in the oven.
- Pallotte cacio e ova — Meatless balls of bread, eggs and cheese, fried and then simmered in tomato sauce.
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Isola del Gran Sasso d’Italia: 0861 975926
- Shrine of San Gabriele: 0861 97721
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Isola del Gran Sasso
- La Cantina degli Antichi Mestieri Via San Gabriele, 199, Isola del Gran Sasso · 377 474 3702
- Trattorias and restaurants in Isola del Gran Sasso: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Tossicia 409 m
Altitude
409 m
Municipality
Tossicia
A small stone village in the Valle Siciliana at the foot of the Gran Sasso. The Palazzo Marchesale houses the Museum of the People of the Gran Sasso, with the tools of farming life; the church of Sant’Antonio Abate has a fine 15th-century doorway.
Things to do
- Trails of the Valle Siciliana and the Gran Sasso
- Isola del Gran Sasso and the San Gabriele shrine, next door
- Teramo, half an hour away
Did you know? Tradition says that Saint Francis of Assisi came here in 1217 as a peacemaker between the valley’s barons; more recently Tossicia became the setting of Donatella Di Pietrantonio’s novel “Mia madre è un fiume”.
Local food
- Virtù teramane — The 1 May soup with dried pulses, spring vegetables, meat and different pastas.
- Scrippelle ’mbusse — Crêpes rolled with pecorino and served in chicken broth, the festive first course of Teramo.
- Teramo liver sausage — Pork liver with garlic, orange zest and bay, also in a sweet version with honey.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Tossicia: 0861 698014
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Tossicia
- Ristorante Podere Santa Lucia Contrada Viola (Chiarino), Tossicia · 0861 158 0020
- Trattorias and restaurants in Tossicia: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Montorio al Vomano 262 m
Altitude
262 m
Municipality
Montorio al Vomano
A small town on the banks of the Vomano, gateway to the road up to Prati di Tivo and Lake Campotosto. Just outside the centre you can see the Italic base of the Temple of Hercules; in town are the churches of San Rocco and San Filippo Neri.
Things to do
- Prati di Tivo, summer and winter
- Skiing at Prati di Tivo
- The village of Pietracamela
- Lake Campotosto, at the head of the Vomano valley
Did you know? Montorio got electric light on 10 December 1899, among the first towns in Italy: the mayor had asked for advice in Tagliacozzo, Terni and Macerata, where systems were already being tested.
Local food
- Timballo teramano — Layers of crêpes with ragù, tiny meatballs, scamorza and eggs, baked in the oven.
- Ventricina teramana (spreadable salami) — The soft cured pork to spread on bread, with pepper, garlic, rosemary and orange zest.
- Virtù teramane — The 1 May soup with dried pulses, spring vegetables, meat and different pastas.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Montorio al Vomano: 0861 502218
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Montorio al Vomano
- Locanda San Michele Contrada Camerale, Montorio al Vomano · 331 465 8909
- Trattorias and restaurants in Montorio al Vomano: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Campli 393 m
Altitude
393 m
Municipality
Campli
A Farnese town full of churches, famous for its Holy Stairs of 1776: 28 olive-wood steps climbed on one’s knees, a rarity in the world. The former Franciscan convent houses the National Archaeological Museum, with grave goods from the Campovalano necropolis.
Things to do
- Campli porchetta
- The fortress of Civitella del Tronto, a few kilometres away
- Teramo and its old town
Did you know? Since 1964, on the last weekend of August, Campli has hosted the Porchetta Festival, considered the first food festival in Abruzzo and one of the first in Italy, with a contest between producers.
Local food
- Campli porchetta — A whole boned pig, flavoured with rosemary, garlic and pepper and roasted in a wood oven.
- Timballo teramano — Layers of crêpes with ragù, tiny meatballs, scamorza and eggs, baked in the oven.
- Pizza dolce teramana — A festive sponge cake soaked in alchermes, with custard and chocolate cream.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Campli: 0861 560111
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Campli
- Trattorias and restaurants in Campli: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Civitella del Tronto 589 m
Altitude
589 m
Municipality
Civitella del Tronto
A fortified village on the border with the Marche, dominated by one of the most imposing fortresses in Italy, built for Philip II of Spain: it was the last Bourbon stronghold and surrendered in 1861. From the centre climbs the Ruetta, a lane just wide enough for one person.
Things to do
- Ceppe, the village’s signature pasta
- Teramo, half an hour away
- The sea at the Val Vibrata and Giulianova
Did you know? At the entrance to the Ruetta a plaque calls it “Italy’s narrowest street”: in fact the record is disputed with a lane in Ripatransone, in the Marche.
Local food
- Ceppe — Flour-and-water pasta rolled around a thin stick, with mixed meat ragù.
- Scrippelle ’mbusse — Crêpes rolled with pecorino and served in chicken broth, the festive first course of Teramo.
- Colline Teramane DOCG — The Montepulciano of the Teramo hills, Abruzzo’s first DOCG, since 2003.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Civitella del Tronto: 0861 918321
- Fortress: info and bookings: 351 535 5800
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Civitella del Tronto
- Trattorias and restaurants in Civitella del Tronto: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Canzano 448 m
Altitude
448 m
Municipality
Canzano
A small village in the hills between Teramo and the sea, known all over Abruzzo for turkey Canzano-style and for its lace-making. Outside the centre stands the shrine of the Madonna dell’Alno.
Things to do
Did you know? The authentic recipe for turkey Canzano-style, slow-cooked and served cold in its own jelly, is linked to the name of Gaetano Contrisciani, who perfected it in the 20th century.
Local food
- Turkey alla canzanese — Turkey slow-cooked with herbs and served cold in its own jelly, the pride of Canzano.
- Timballo teramano — Layers of crêpes with ragù, tiny meatballs, scamorza and eggs, baked in the oven.
- Pretuziano delle Colline Teramane PDO olive oil — The extra virgin oil of the hills between the Gran Sasso and the Adriatic, from Leccino, Frantoio and Dritta.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Canzano: 0861 555128
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Canzano
- Trattorias and restaurants in Canzano: search on TripAdvisor
At the table
Food and traditions
Local dishes and products, with the recipes and guides on our site.
The Teramo hills have one of Abruzzo’s richest cuisines: the scrippelle timbale, scrippelle ’mbusse in broth, the May Day ‘virtù’ soup, Campli porchetta and Canzano turkey, with Pretuziano olive oil and Colline Teramane Montepulciano.
- Timballo teramano — Layers of crêpes with ragù, tiny meatballs, scamorza and eggs, baked in the oven.
- Scrippelle ’mbusse — Crêpes rolled with pecorino and served in chicken broth, the festive first course of Teramo.
- Virtù teramane — The 1 May soup with dried pulses, spring vegetables, meat and different pastas.
- Campli porchetta — A whole boned pig, flavoured with rosemary, garlic and pepper and roasted in a wood oven.
- Turkey alla canzanese — Turkey slow-cooked with herbs and served cold in its own jelly, the pride of Canzano.
- Ceppe — Flour-and-water pasta rolled around a thin stick, with mixed meat ragù.
- Atri liquorice — Liquorice made in Atri since 1836: wheels, sticks, pastilles and sweets.
- Pretuziano delle Colline Teramane PDO olive oil — The extra virgin oil of the hills between the Gran Sasso and the Adriatic, from Leccino, Frantoio and Dritta.
- Colline Teramane DOCG — The Montepulciano of the Teramo hills, Abruzzo’s first DOCG, since 2003.