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
Mountain setting
On the Quarto Grande, at the foot of the Majella
Among meadows, nature reserves and the southern peaks of the massif.
The village climbs the slopes of Monte Calvario (1,743 m) and looks over the Quarto Grande plateau. Around it are two reserves: the Bosco di Sant’Antonio and the Quarto di Santa Chiara. To the east runs the long ridge of Monte Porrara (2,137 m), to the west rises Monte Rotella (2,129 m); further north is Monte Amaro (2,793 m), the summit of the Majella.
Skiing
Today’s status in the snow report
Ski lifts: Vallefura and its neighbours
One kilometre from the village, with views of the plateaus and the Majella.
| Area | Where | Altitudes | Lifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vallefura | 1 km from the village | 1,460 – 1,729 m | 4-seat Vallefura chairlift, 2-seat Valle Gelata chairlift, Monte Calvario drag lift, Lupetto baby lift |
| Pizzalto and Aremogna | Municipality of Roccaraso | 1,450 – 2,142 m | See Roccaraso village |
| Monte Pratello | Municipality of Rivisondoli | 1,301 – 2,035 m | See Rivisondoli |
Opening dates, ski passes, ski school and rental are announced by the operator at vallefura.it (351 810 0985). The slopes, 8.3 km according to Skiresort, run down Monte Calvario to Piazzale degli Sciatori.
Map of lifts and slopes in Abruzzo
Hover over or tap a slope or lift to highlight it and read its name. Zoom with + and −, with two fingers or by double-clicking.
Map generated by us. Routes, names and difficulty: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); they may be incomplete and lengths are calculated. This is not an official piste map. Elevations: EU-DEM (Copernicus), approximate.
On foot
Trekking: the Bosco di Sant’Antonio and the peaks
From a walk in the beech wood to the ridges of the Majella.
| Route | Distance | Height difference | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Rifugio Il Majo to the Bosco di Sant’Antonio (CAI O2) | 3.3 km | 246 m | Grade E |
The Bosco di Sant’Antonio is a monumental beech wood, a nature reserve since 1985, between Monte Pizzalto and Monte Rotella; the best period is April to November. GPX track in the Trails section.
Monte Rotella (2,129 m): from the Bosco di Sant’Antonio along the Pietra Maggiore ridge. Monte Pizzalto (1,968 m): it can also be climbed from Pescocostanzo. Monte Porrara (2,137 m): from the Quarto di Santa Chiara sinkhole, with about 887 m of ascent. These climbs are for experienced hikers: bring a map and set off early.
Outdoor sports
Snowshoes, mountaineering, bikes and horses
Activities for every season, and who organises them.
❄️ Snowshoeing
The classic is the Bosco di Sant’Antonio: an easy route at about 1,300 m, with 120 m of ascent and about 1h45 of walking among the monumental beeches. Guided outings for families are also offered. Route details.
⛰️ Mountaineering and ski touring
For those seeking height there is the Porrara ridge and, more demanding, Monte Amaro (2,793 m), also a ski-touring goal from the Caramanico and Lama dei Peligni sides. In winter you need transceiver, shovel and probe, and experience. Ski touring · Mountain safety.
🚵 Bikes and e-bikes
E-Bike Rent Pescocostanzo 3000, in Strada Vulpes, rents e-bikes (392 921 2284). More vehicles from MR Sport in Roccaraso, which on Google Maps also has a point in Pescocostanzo.
🐴 Horse riding
Maneggio Equisef (339 609 3266) organises half-hour or one-hour rides among the pastures of the plain and the wood. Call ahead for times and prices.
Equipment
Rentals: all the businesses
Addresses and phone numbers from the Skipass consortium and Google Maps. Not all of them rent snowshoes: ask before you set out.
| Business | What it offers | Where | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nolo Sci da Costanzo | Ski rental | Via Belvedere degli Sciatori 5 | — |
| Scuola Italiana Sci Pescocostanzo 3000 | Ski school and rental | Via Belvedere degli Sciatori 10 | 392 921 2284 |
| Scuola di Sci e Snowboard Pescocostanzo | Ski and snowboard school | Piazzale degli Sciatori | 328 984 7679 |
| E-Bike Rent Pescocostanzo 3000 | E-bikes | Strada Vulpes | 392 921 2284 |
| Maneggio Equisef | Horse rides | Pescocostanzo | 339 609 3266 |
Official ski passes, ski school and rental at Vallefura: vallefura.it. More rental shops at Roccaraso and Rivisondoli.
Art and history
What to see
Basilica of Santa Maria del Colle
Rebuilt after the 1456 earthquake, it has five naves, a staircase of 1580, splendid wooden ceilings and a wrought-iron gate: it is the village’s most representative monument.
Bobbin Lace Museum
In Palazzo Fanzago, the former monastery of Santa Scolastica, it tells the story of the craft handed down by local women for centuries.
Church of Gesù e Maria
From the 17th century, just outside the village: the high altar and the convent’s four-sided portico are by Cosimo Fanzago.
Hermitage of San Michele
Outside the village, carved into the rock; it is already mentioned in 1183.
The workshops
Gold filigree, wrought iron, wood carving and lace: know-how brought by Lombard craftsmen after the 1456 earthquake.
At the table
What to eat
At Vallefura the new management is preparing the Rifugio Quota and the Baita Base; the Tana del Lupo refuge is at the top of the chairlift. In the village you will find the flavours of the Majella: Flavours of the parks.
Travel
Getting there
By car: from Rome A24 and A25, from Pescara A25, exit Pratola Peligna – Sulmona, then SS17 and the turn-off for Pescocostanzo; from Naples A1, exit Caianello. From the east, take the SS84 Frentana over the Forchetta pass. The historic station is Rivisondoli-Pescocostanzo.
Live
Webcams
Live images to see today’s weather and snow.
- Webcam of Pescocostanzo’s old town — SkylineWebcams, live
- Skipass Alto Sangro consortium webcams — Live images of the ski area