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 and Pescara: A25 to the Pescina exit, then the SS 83 Marsicana towards Pescasseroli, Opi and Villetta Barrea.
- From Sulmona: via Anversa degli Abruzzi and Scanno, then over Passo Godi towards Villetta Barrea.
- From Castel di Sangro: along the Sangro valley towards Alfedena, Barrea and the lake.
The village
Pescasseroli
Altitude
1,167 m
Municipality
Pescasseroli
The park’s main centre, at about 1,170 metres, with the visitor centre and the historic park headquarters. It is the birthplace of Benedetto Croce and the base for many trails: see our page on Pescasseroli.
Things to do
- Our full guide to Pescasseroli
- Three days in the park: nature, trekking and villages
- Trails of the Abruzzo National Park
- Snowshoeing in the beech woods
Did you know? The philosopher Benedetto Croce was born here in 1866, and it is the headquarters of the park, founded in 1923: the oldest in Abruzzo.
Local food
- Sheep’s ricotta ravioli — Ravioli from Scanno and the Alto Sangro filled with sheep’s ricotta, with tomato sauce.
- Pecora alla callara — Mutton cooked for hours in a copper cauldron with herbs and chilli, the shepherds’ dish.
- Mostaccioli — Christmas biscuits made with honey, almonds and cooked grape must, often coated in chocolate.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Pescasseroli: 0863 91141
- Tourist office: 0863 910461
- Park visitor centre: 0863 9113221
- Ski lifts Monte Vitelle: 0863 910725
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Pescasseroli
- Hotel La Panoramica Viale Fausto Grassi, 19/B, Pescasseroli · 0863 912243
- Plistia Viale Principe di Napoli, 28, Pescasseroli · 391 498 7942
- Trattorias and restaurants in Pescasseroli: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Opi
Altitude
1,250 m
Municipality
Opi
A village perched on a rocky spur above the Sangro valley. Below it opens the Val Fondillo, one of the park’s most beautiful valleys for trekking, snowshoeing and ski touring.
Things to do
- Val Fondillo: trekking, snowshoeing and ski touring
- Val di Rose, Forca Resuni and Passo dell’Orso
- Ski touring in Abruzzo
Did you know? The village has the Abruzzo Chamois Museum, dedicated to the animal that symbolises these mountains.
Local food
- Grilled lamb and coratella — Lamb chops on the embers and coratella (offal) in the pan with onion and artichokes.
- Sheep’s ricotta ravioli — Ravioli from Scanno and the Alto Sangro filled with sheep’s ricotta, with tomato sauce.
- Genziana — The bitter digestif of Abruzzo’s mountains, made from gentian roots.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Opi: 0863 910606
- Tourist office: 0863 910622
- Val Fondillo: info and guides: 340 3361825
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Opi
- Le Foci di Opi Via Fonte dei Cementi, Opi · 0863 912233
- Val Fondillo – Four Seasons Natura e Cultura SS 83 Marsicana, km 52, Opi · 334 700 4554
- Trattorias and restaurants in Opi: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Villetta Barrea
Altitude
990 m
Municipality
Villetta Barrea
The village on the shore of Lake Barrea, where the Sangro flows into the lake. It is a few kilometres from the Camosciara and from the road that climbs to Scanno.
Things to do
Did you know? Lake Barrea is artificial: it was created in the 1950s by a dam on the Sangro, yet today it looks like it has always been there.
Local food
- Pecora alla callara — Mutton cooked for hours in a copper cauldron with herbs and chilli, the shepherds’ dish.
- Sheep’s ricotta ravioli — Ravioli from Scanno and the Alto Sangro filled with sheep’s ricotta, with tomato sauce.
- Scamorza cheese from Rivisondoli — The stretched-curd cow’s milk cheese of the Cinquemiglia plateau, fresh or smoked.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Villetta Barrea: 0864 89134
- Camosciara: shuttle and info: 0864 577869
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Villetta Barrea
- Trattorias and restaurants in Villetta Barrea: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Civitella Alfedena
Altitude
1,123 m
Municipality
Civitella Alfedena
A stone village at about 1,120 metres, known for its wolf museum and wildlife area. The Val di Rose trail, where chamois can be seen in summer, starts here: see our page on Civitella Alfedena.
Things to do
Did you know? The village has the Apennine Wolf Museum, with a wildlife area for wolves that cannot return to the wild.
Local food
- Grilled lamb and coratella — Lamb chops on the embers and coratella (offal) in the pan with onion and artichokes.
- Pecora alla callara — Mutton cooked for hours in a copper cauldron with herbs and chilli, the shepherds’ dish.
- Mostaccioli — Christmas biscuits made with honey, almonds and cooked grape must, often coated in chocolate.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Civitella Alfedena: 0864 890444
- Camosciara: shuttle and info: 0864 577869
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Civitella Alfedena
- Il Guado della Valle Via Santa Lucia, Civitella Alfedena · 0864 890171
- Oasi del Lago Via Santa Lucia, 11, Civitella Alfedena · 329 886 8909
- Trattorias and restaurants in Civitella Alfedena: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Barrea
Altitude
1,060 m
Municipality
Barrea
The village with the castle overlooking Lake Barrea from above. It is the starting point for the hike to Lago Vivo, one of the park’s best-loved mountain lakes.
Things to do
- Hiking guide to the Abruzzo National Park
- The Camosciara, across the lake
- Skiing at Roccaraso, half an hour away
Did you know? Barrea castle guarded the Sangro gorge: the village has one of the finest views over the lake.
Local food
- Sheep’s ricotta ravioli — Ravioli from Scanno and the Alto Sangro filled with sheep’s ricotta, with tomato sauce.
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
- Pan dell’orso — Scanno’s half-dome cake: almonds, honey and a dark chocolate coating.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Barrea: 0864 88114
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Barrea
- Trattorias and restaurants in Barrea: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Alfedena
Altitude
914 m
Municipality
Alfedena
A village in the upper Sangro valley with very ancient origins, linked to the Samnites. Trails lead from here towards Monte Greco and the Meta.
Things to do
Did you know? A large Samnite necropolis, with hundreds of Iron Age graves, has been excavated on the hills around the village.
Local food
- Scamorza cheese from Rivisondoli — The stretched-curd cow’s milk cheese of the Cinquemiglia plateau, fresh or smoked.
- Grilled lamb and coratella — Lamb chops on the embers and coratella (offal) in the pan with onion and artichokes.
- Ferratelle or pizzelle — Thin wafers cooked between two decorated iron plates, flavoured with anise or lemon.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Alfedena: 0864 87114
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Alfedena
- Trattorias and restaurants in Alfedena: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Villavallelonga
Altitude
1,005 m
Municipality
Villavallelonga
On the Marsican side of the park, it is the gateway to the Val Cervara, one of the park’s old-growth beech forests declared UNESCO World Heritage in 2017.
Things to do
Did you know? On 16 January, for Saint Anthony the Abbot, the village prepares the «panarda»: a traditional banquet with dozens of courses offered to all.
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.
- Grilled lamb and coratella — Lamb chops on the embers and coratella (offal) in the pan with onion and artichokes.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Villavallelonga: 0863 949117
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Villavallelonga
- Trattorias and restaurants in Villavallelonga: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Scanno
Altitude
1,050 m
Municipality
Scanno
At the gates of the park, Scanno is famous for its heart-shaped lake, the women’s traditional costume and pastries such as pan dell’orso.
Things to do
- Lake Scanno and the heart trail
- Pan dell’orso, Scanno’s cake
- Sulmona, half an hour through the Sagittario gorges
Did you know? Scanno was photographed by great masters such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Mario Giacomelli, who made its alleys and women’s costume famous.
Local food
- Pan dell’orso — Scanno’s half-dome cake: almonds, honey and a dark chocolate coating.
- Sheep’s ricotta ravioli — Ravioli from Scanno and the Alto Sangro filled with sheep’s ricotta, with tomato sauce.
- Mostaccioli — Christmas biscuits made with honey, almonds and cooked grape must, often coated in chocolate.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Scanno: 0864 74545
- Tourist office: 0864 74317
- Out-of-hours doctor: 0864 747290
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Scanno
- Le Tre Sorelle Viale della Pineta, 2, Scanno · 0864 74313
- La Valle Via Domenico Tanturri, 66, Scanno · 0864 90000
- Gli Archetti Via Silla, 8, Scanno · 0864 760038
- Pasticceria Pan dell’Orso Via del Lago, 20, Scanno · 0864 74475
- Trattorias and restaurants in Scanno: search on TripAdvisor
At the table
Food and traditions
Local dishes and products, with the recipes and guides on our site.
In the park’s villages you eat the shepherds’ food of the Alto Sangro and the Marsica: mutton and lamb, ricotta and cheeses, ravioli and almond and honey sweets.
- Sheep’s ricotta ravioli — Ravioli from Scanno and the Alto Sangro filled with sheep’s ricotta, with tomato sauce.
- 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.
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
- Gnocchi with castrato ragù — Homemade potato gnocchi with castrato mutton ragù, the L’Aquila way.
- Scamorza cheese from Rivisondoli — The stretched-curd cow’s milk cheese of the Cinquemiglia plateau, fresh or smoked.
- Pan dell’orso — Scanno’s half-dome cake: almonds, honey and a dark chocolate coating.
- Mostaccioli — Christmas biscuits made with honey, almonds and cooked grape must, often coated in chocolate.
- Genziana — The bitter digestif of Abruzzo’s mountains, made from gentian roots.