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Fun on the local snow slopes Skiing and snowsports
[Susan Glasspool]
Winter in Florence can be wet and cold, though it rarely snows. Much as we may enjoy sports activities, at this time of the year most of us are tempted to stay in the cosy warmth of our homes. However ski enthusiasts need not be put off by the city sloth as the excellent slopes at Abetone, in the Appennine mountains just above Pistoia, are extremely easy to reach. The nearest ski resort to Florence, these mountains are particularly attractive and, although also well organised for summer tourism, they take on a new lease of life in winter. The ski runs are sited in the villages of Pian degli Ontani, Pian di Novello, Doganaccia, Cutigliano and Abetone, this last being the most important and very popular among visitors from throughout the world. This resort is renowned for the beauty and variety of its ski slopes and the many ski champions who come from here.
In Italian the word Abetone means a “large fir tree”, a name that derives from a huge tree that once stood here. Situated on the main Abetone-Brennero road that climbs to an altitude of 1,388 metres above sea level and on the mountain pass of the same name marking the border between Tuscany and Emilia, it is surrounded by thick fir forests, further ennobled by the presence of the rare red fir trees.
Abetone, only 85 km from Florence, is certainly one of the Florentines' favourite weekend ski resorts, though some people come just for the day. Skiers first started coming here in the early 20th century and, since then, the skiing area has spread over the four magnificent valleys of the Luce, the Scoltella, the Sestaione and Lima - covering 80 kilometres in all - with slopes reaching altitudes of up to 1900 metres. All the ski resorts are equipped with artificial snow machines that ensure constantly covered snowy slopes for an area of 40 km.
The ski season opens in early December, but the best period is between January and March. You can might prefer to go on one of the weekly ski package, known as the Settimana Bianca (white week), when many people (mostly families), take a week off from work to go skiing on the slopes. If you enjoy this sport, you are sure to find slopes to suit you and your ability level at Abetone. The choice of slopes makes it possible to ski all day, while changing to a different track each time and the wide runs are ideal for all skiers, from beginners to experts. The most popular runs are on Mount Gomito, which can be reached up the Ovovia lift.
Another popular feature is the new Abetone terrain park, an exciting state-of-the-art facility boasting half-pipe and 10-foot jumps for the enjoyment and thrills of daring snowboarders.
First-time skiers and boarders will find that the Campo Tennis and the Campo Scuola are good, smooth places to learn, though best if under the guidance of a trained teacher from one of the local ski schools that offer both individual lessons and group discounts.
There are plenty of ski rental stores in Abetone if you fancy a few energetic days of skiing and they can supply anything from skis and poles to boots and boards to suit your size and height.
There are also plenty of inexpensive and characteristic places in the village, or beside the mountain slopes where you can get lunchtime meal. Here you can copy the Italians by having an after-lunch snooze in an outside deckchair, also an excellent excuse for getting a suntan. It will give you a much needed rest before embarking later on on the nightlife at the local pub or the disco in the main square. There is a wide choice of overnight accommodation, as well as many Tuscan style restaurants, pizzerias and snack-bars.
The typical foods in this area include the delicious Porcini or Boletus mushrooms, the local pecorino cheese, cured meats, honey, wild woodland berries, used to make jams or to flavour distilled spirits, and chestnuts.
Now all you have to do is get out your skis and go..!
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