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
- Pescara side: A25 to the Scafa–Alanno or Torre de’ Passeri exit, then towards Caramanico Terme and Roccamorice.
- L’Aquila side: from Sulmona you climb to Pacentro and Campo di Giove; Pescocostanzo is on the plateau towards Roccaraso.
- Chieti side: from the A14 you reach Guardiagrele, Pennapiedimonte, Fara San Martino and Lama dei Peligni.
The village
Caramanico Terme
Altitude
650 m
Municipality
Caramanico Terme
A spa village on the Pescara side, the base for the Orfento valley, one of the wildest and most protected areas of the Majella.
Things to do
- The Orfento valley: trails, bridges and waterfalls
- Guide to the Majella National Park
- Three-day trek on the Majella
Did you know? The «Paolo Barrasso» visitor centre has an area dedicated to the otter, which has returned to the Majella’s rivers.
Local food
- Cavatelli and tacconelle — Homemade pastas of the Chieti area, with meat sauce or with pulses.
- Scamorza cheese from Rivisondoli — The stretched-curd cow’s milk cheese of the Cinquemiglia plateau, fresh or smoked.
- Centerbe — The strong green liqueur of Tocco da Casauria, made with Majella herbs since 1817.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Caramanico Terme: 085 9290202
- Park visitor centre Paolo Barrasso: 085 922343
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Caramanico Terme
- Taverna Ducale Via Santa Croce, 7/9, Caramanico Terme · 085 2010996
- Trattorias and restaurants in Caramanico Terme: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Roccamorice
Altitude
520 m
Municipality
Roccamorice
The village of hermitages: its territory holds the hermitages of Santo Spirito a Majella and San Bartolomeo in Legio, linked to Pietro da Morrone, the future pope Celestine V.
Things to do
- Guide to the Majella National Park
- Skiing at the Majelletta and Passo Lanciano
- Celestine V and the basilica of Collemaggio
Did you know? The hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio is carved beneath a rock face: you reach it on foot by a path and a stairway cut into the stone.
Local food
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
- Cavatelli and tacconelle — Homemade pastas of the Chieti area, with meat sauce or with pulses.
- Fiadone — The Easter savoury pastry: a dough parcel filled with cheese and eggs that puffs up in the oven.
Useful numbers
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Roccamorice
- Braceria – Ristoro Macchie di Coco Contrada Macchie di Coco, Roccamorice · 339 299 0423
- Trattorias and restaurants in Roccamorice: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Pacentro
Altitude
688 m
Municipality
Pacentro
Above Sulmona, the village dominated by the towers of the Caldora castle. From here the road climbs to Passo San Leonardo, the starting point for Monte Amaro.
Things to do
- Passo San Leonardo and the climb to Monte Amaro
- Sulmona, ten minutes away
- Snowshoeing on the Majella and the Morrone
Did you know? Every first Sunday of September the «corsa degli zingari» is run: young men race barefoot down the rocky slope to the village.
Local food
- Sulmona red garlic — Red-purple skins, intense flavour and traditional braids from the Valle Peligna.
- Sulmona confetti — Almonds coated in sugar, made since the 18th century: in Sulmona confetti are also shaped into flowers and ears of wheat.
- Arrosticini — Mutton skewers grilled over embers, the symbol of Abruzzo cooking.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Pacentro: 0864 41114
- Park information centre: 0864 41304
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Pacentro
- Taverna dei Caldora, in piazza Umberto I: Abruzzo mountain cooking, listed in the Michelin Guide.
- Trattorias and restaurants in Pacentro: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Campo di Giove
Altitude
1,064 m
Municipality
Campo di Giove
A mountain village above 1,000 metres with ski lifts on the Majella. Its station is on the Sulmona–Castel di Sangro railway, the «Trans-Siberian of Italy».
Things to do
- Skiing at Campo di Giove, up to about 2,350 metres
- Guide to the Majella National Park
- Roccaraso and the Alto Sangro
Did you know? The village can also be reached by the heritage train on the Sulmona–Castel di Sangro line, which crosses snowy landscapes in winter.
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.
- Sulmona confetti — Almonds coated in sugar, made since the 18th century: in Sulmona confetti are also shaped into flowers and ears of wheat.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Campo di Giove: 0864 40116
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Campo di Giove
- Trattorias and restaurants in Campo di Giove: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Pescocostanzo
Altitude
1,395 m
Municipality
Pescocostanzo
One of Abruzzo’s most elegant villages, with the basilica of Santa Maria del Colle, stone palaces and the traditions of bobbin lace and wrought iron. Nearby is the Sant’Antonio wood, an ancient beech forest.
Things to do
- Skiing in the Roccaraso, Rivisondoli and Pescocostanzo area
- Snowshoeing on the Cinquemiglia plateau
- Sulmona, across the Cinquemiglia plateau
Did you know? It is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy: local women have handed down bobbin lace for centuries, and workshops still craft wrought iron and gold.
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 Pescocostanzo: 0864 640003
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Pescocostanzo
- La Terrazza Via Ottavio Colecchi, 12, Pescocostanzo · 0864 640047
- Ristobar La Piazzetta Piazza Municipio, 18/19, Pescocostanzo · 348 714 2761
- Trattorias and restaurants in Pescocostanzo: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Palena
Altitude
767 m
Municipality
Palena
A village of the eastern Majella, at the head of the Aventino valley. The Trans-Siberian of Italy heritage train stops here too.
Things to do
Did you know? Just above the village rises the Aventino river, which then flows down the valley past the villages of the Chieti side.
Local food
- Cavatelli and tacconelle — Homemade pastas of the Chieti area, with meat sauce or with pulses.
- Caggionetti — Fried sweet Christmas ravioli filled with chestnuts or chickpeas, chocolate and cooked must.
- Fiadone — The Easter savoury pastry: a dough parcel filled with cheese and eggs that puffs up in the oven.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Palena: 0872 918112
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Palena
- Trattorias and restaurants in Palena: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Lama dei Peligni
Altitude
669 m
Municipality
Lama dei Peligni
A village on the Chieti side with the natural history museum and the chamois wildlife area. It is the home of the sfogliatelle, celebrated every year at the end of April.
Things to do
- The sfogliatelle of Lama dei Peligni
- Guide to the Majella National Park
- The Fara San Martino gorges, a few kilometres away
Did you know? The village wildlife area is where the chamois began its return to the Majella, where it had disappeared.
Local food
- Sfogliatelle from Lama dei Peligni — Flattened oval pastries filled with grape jam, walnuts and cocoa: the sweet of this Majella village.
- Caggionetti — Fried sweet Christmas ravioli filled with chestnuts or chickpeas, chocolate and cooked must.
- Cavatelli and tacconelle — Homemade pastas of the Chieti area, with meat sauce or with pulses.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Lama dei Peligni: 0872 91221
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Lama dei Peligni
- Trattorias and restaurants in Lama dei Peligni: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Fara San Martino
Altitude
440 m
Municipality
Fara San Martino
The village of pasta, at the foot of the Majella, at the entrance to the Fara San Martino gorges.
Things to do
Did you know? Inside the gorges, beyond a passage only a few metres wide, lie the remains of the abbey of San Martino in Valle.
Local food
- Fara San Martino pasta — Bronze-drawn semolina pasta made with Majella water, dressed simply with tomato.
- Cavatelli and tacconelle — Homemade pastas of the Chieti area, with meat sauce or with pulses.
- Caggionetti — Fried sweet Christmas ravioli filled with chestnuts or chickpeas, chocolate and cooked must.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Fara San Martino: 0872 980155
- Carabinieri (police): 0872 980350
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Fara San Martino
- Trattorias and restaurants in Fara San Martino: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Pennapiedimonte
Altitude
669 m
Municipality
Pennapiedimonte
A stone village set against the walls of the Majella, the starting point for the Avello valley and climbs towards the summits on the Chieti side.
Things to do
Did you know? The houses in the old centre are built straight onto the mountain rock, and seem to merge with it.
Local food
- Cavatelli and tacconelle — Homemade pastas of the Chieti area, with meat sauce or with pulses.
- Fiadone — The Easter savoury pastry: a dough parcel filled with cheese and eggs that puffs up in the oven.
- Caggionetti — Fried sweet Christmas ravioli filled with chestnuts or chickpeas, chocolate and cooked must.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Pennapiedimonte: 0871 897130
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Pennapiedimonte
- Trattorias and restaurants in Pennapiedimonte: search on TripAdvisor
The village
Guardiagrele
Altitude
576 m
Municipality
Guardiagrele
A town of stone and crafts, with wrought iron and sise delle monache: see our page on Guardiagrele.
Things to do
- Our full guide to Guardiagrele
- Skiing at Passo Lanciano and the Majelletta
- Chieti, half an hour away
Did you know? Nicola da Guardiagrele, the great 15th-century goldsmith, was born here: the tradition of gold and wrought iron continues today.
Local food
- Sise delle monache — Guardiagrele’s pastry: three-peaked sponge filled with custard and dusted with icing sugar.
- Caggionetti — Fried sweet Christmas ravioli filled with chestnuts or chickpeas, chocolate and cooked must.
- Cavatelli and tacconelle — Homemade pastas of the Chieti area, with meat sauce or with pulses.
Useful numbers
- Municipality of Guardiagrele: 0871 80861
- Emergencies and mountain rescue: 112 · 118
- municipality website
Where to eat in Guardiagrele
- Trattorias and restaurants in Guardiagrele: search on TripAdvisor
At the table
Food and traditions
Local dishes and products, with the recipes and guides on our site.
Around the Majella three cuisines meet: the shepherds’ food of the L’Aquila side, the cooking of the Chieti hills and the pasta and village sweets. Here are the dishes and products to look for.
- Sfogliatelle from Lama dei Peligni — Flattened oval pastries filled with grape jam, walnuts and cocoa: the sweet of this Majella village.
- Fara San Martino pasta — Bronze-drawn semolina pasta made with Majella water, dressed simply with tomato.
- Sise delle monache — Guardiagrele’s pastry: three-peaked sponge filled with custard and dusted with icing sugar.
- Fiadone — The Easter savoury pastry: a dough parcel filled with cheese and eggs that puffs up in the oven.
- Caggionetti — Fried sweet Christmas ravioli filled with chestnuts or chickpeas, chocolate and cooked must.
- Cavatelli and tacconelle — Homemade pastas of the Chieti area, with meat sauce or with pulses.
- Scamorza cheese from Rivisondoli — The stretched-curd cow’s milk cheese of the Cinquemiglia plateau, fresh or smoked.
- Sulmona red garlic — Red-purple skins, intense flavour and traditional braids from the Valle Peligna.
- Sulmona confetti — Almonds coated in sugar, made since the 18th century: in Sulmona confetti are also shaped into flowers and ears of wheat.
- Centerbe — The strong green liqueur of Tocco da Casauria, made with Majella herbs since 1817.