Winter dresses Tuscany in white and makes it a popular destination for sports tourism. As soon as the snow begins to fall on the mountains, the watchword is in fact only one: skiing.
And Abetone, the most famous Pistoia Mountain location in Central Italy, certainly doesn't come unprepared with its 50 kilometers of slopes and 21 skilifts managed by the Multipass consortium. And for enthusiasts, Abetone also offers cross-country skiing, thanks to two slopes and a ring for a total of 8 kilometers. There are three historical lifts in the ski area: Selletta, Fivizzani and Riva. Also well-known are the "Stucchi" and "Pulicchio" slopes, which straddle the border, and the "Zeno" slope, in Val di Luce, designed by the famous skier Zeno Colò. And also the Doganaccia, which is located in the Apennines between Corno alle Scale and Monte Libro Aperto and which offers in addition to 15 kilometers of ski slopes of varying degrees of difficulty, two cable cars, two skilifts, a treadmill and the snow tubing slope for the enjoyment of young and old alike.
It is a real "heritage" that of Tuscany for snow lovers, which has been enriched with an important service for disabled people, who will be able to devote themselves to skiing right on the Pistoia mountains thanks to a system of reserved parking, chalets and changing facilities, qualified ski instructors and ad hoc equipment such as monoski or the dualski, which allow the disabled skier complete autonomy.
Snow in Tuscany, however, does not only rhyme with Abetone. Equally well-known is Amiata, in the south of the region. Mount Amiata towers over southern Tuscany, and its place-name also identifies a vast territory, with the mountain range at its center, dotted with towns of great historical and artistic interest. Here, in Europe's largest beech forest, there are 12 kilomters of slopes of all levels of difficulty, served by 8 skilifts. There are also 10 kilometers of cross-country trails and an illuminated ring with a programmed snowmaking system, set up in the Abbadia San Salvatore sports field. And when the snow is particularly abundant, adventurous excursions are possible in the forests of Mount Amiata, on cross-country skis and snowshoes.
Instead, for those who wish to venture into the beautiful mountains of Lunigiana, the destination for snow is Zum Zeri, a place straddling Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia Romagna: a true borderland that bewitches for the uniqueness of its landscapes overlooking the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas. With three skilifts serving 12 kilometers of slopes, Zum Zeri is the ideal destination for families and children.
Finally, in Garfagnana, snow enthusiasts can choose among three different destinations - Careggine, Passo delle Radici, and Casone di Profecchia - set amid views that touch the peaks of the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. Overall, there are 15 kilometers of slopes served by 7 skilifts. All of the resorts have convenient school camps, suitable for children and beginners, and more challenging slopes for more experienced skiers. Everywhere it is possible to unwind by being lulled by the rhythms of unspoiled nature, enjoying the presence of cozy mountain huts and excellent cuisine. Very interesting are the itineraries for Nordic skiing, for about 30 kilometers, which from Casone di Profecchia reach Passo delle Radici and from here, always with skis on your feet, Piandelagotti in Emilian territory.
A rich and captivating panorama is the one offered by the Tuscan mountains and that lends itself to satisfy every kind of tourist: from those who love extreme and more dynamic sports, to those who decide to spend ski holidays with their family in total relaxation, to the slopes intended for the disabled.
