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
Between Monte Calvario and Monte Pratello
The village leans against the Calvario and looks over the Prato plateau.
The village stands at the foot of Monte Calvario, on the edge of the Prato plateau. To the west is Monte Pratello, part of the Monte Greco massif (2,285 m); to the north rises Monte Rotella (2,129 m), overlooking the Cinquemiglia plateau and the Quarto Grande. Cold is at home here: on 5 January 2009 the temperature fell to −30.6 °C.
Skiing
Today’s status in the snow report
Ski lifts: Monte Pratello
Rivisondoli’s ski area, 4 km from the village.
| Area | Where | Altitudes | Lifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monte Pratello | 4 km from the village | 1,301 – 2,035 m | 2 gondolas (Fontanile – Vallone; Vallone – Monte Pratello), 2 chairlifts, 2 drag lifts |
The new 10-seat Vallone – Monte Pratello gondola is 1,937 metres long and carries 3,000 people an hour: it is planned from the 2026/27 season; in September 2026 the consortium announced that the towers had been installed. The area belongs to the Skipass Alto Sangro ski area (140 km of runs according to the consortium). Runs, ski schools and ski passes.
In summer
In summer 2026 the Fontanile and Monte Pratello lifts stayed closed because of the work, and the mountain cart was suspended too: check roccaraso.net before you set out.
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: Calvario and Monte Rotella
The classic walks from the village.
Monte Calvario: the local hike, right above the village.
Monte Rotella (2,129 m): from the village you can climb via the Calvario, then descend into the Bosco di Sant’Antonio and reach Pescocostanzo. On the summit is a monument to the Alpini. In summer set off early, to come down before the afternoon storms.
The consortium’s routes also include the easy Baby Prati di Rivisondoli (2 km); the list is on roccaraso.net.
Outdoor sports
Snowshoes, mountaineering, bikes and horses
Activities for every season, and who organises them.
❄️ Snowshoeing
The consortium organises guided snowshoe outings in the ski area; the nearest classic route is in the Bosco di Sant’Antonio. Snowshoeing in Abruzzo.
⛰️ Mountaineering and ski touring
In winter Monte Rotella and Monte Greco (2,285 m) are goals for experienced hikers and ski tourers, with transceiver, shovel and probe, after reading the Meteomont bulletin. The consortium also suggests the valley behind Monte Pratello for snowkiting, for experts only. Ski touring · Mountain safety.
🚵 Bikes and e-bikes
The plateau roads are ideal for road cycling. In the village, Cipriani Shop sells and rents bicycles; e-bikes can be rented from MR Sport in Roccaraso. The Monte Pratello mountain cart (7 km) will resume when the lifts reopen.
🐴 Horse riding
The nearest stables are Maneggio Equisef in Pescocostanzo (339 609 3266), Il Castellaccio towards Roccaraso (0864 62389) and Ranch Brionna in Castel di Sangro (328 535 4699). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental Monte Pratello | Skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, storage | Base of the first chairlift, Via Monte Pratello | 0864 266327 |
| Nolo Sci Ferrara | Ski rental | Via Monte Pratello | 0864 641512 |
| Cri Cri | Skis and sporting goods | Viale Regina Elena 73 | 0864 69116 |
| Cipriani Shop | Bicycles, ski service | Viale G. Marconi 49 | 347 777 4989 |
| Monte Pratello mountain cart | Cart with helmet, from age 14; suspended in summer 2026 | Monte Pratello station | 0864 69152 |
For e-bikes and quads see the rentals in Roccaraso.
Art and history
What to see
Old town and gates
The medieval core keeps its stepped lanes, the terraced houses that act as walls, the 15th-century Porta Antonietta and the Porta di Mezzo.
Church of San Nicola di Bari
The neo-Romanesque parish church was built in 1931 over an older one; its façade opens with a wide triple window.
Rivisondoli-Pescocostanzo station
On the Sulmona – Isernia railway, it is the highest on the Apennine stretch and the second in Italy after the Brenner; the historic trains of the Transiberiana d’Italia pass through.
Terme Alte
A wellness centre to rest after the slopes, with sauna, emotional shower and Turkish bath.
Events
The living nativity comes alive every 5 January since 1951 and is the event that made the village known throughout Italy. Summer calendar of Alto Sangro events on the consortium’s website.
At the table
What to eat
The local product is Rivisondoli scamorza, a stretched-curd cheese, fresh or smoked. On the Monte Pratello slopes: Rifugio Fontanile at the lift station, Esagoni at 1,540 m, Il Prato at 1,690 m, Crete Rosse at 1,870 m (0864 69242).
Travel
Getting there
By car: from Rome A24 and A25, from Pescara A25, exit Pratola Peligna – Sulmona, then SS17; from Naples A1, exit Caianello. The SS84 links the village with Campo di Giove and Roccaraso. Skiing without a car.
Live
Webcams
Live images to see today’s weather and snow.
- Skipass Alto Sangro consortium webcams — Live images of the ski area
- SkiPass AltoSangro YouTube channel — The consortium’s live streams