This picturesque town in the shadow of the Apennines has one of Italy’s largest ski areas. Enjoy summer hiking in the mountains too.
Wander through peaceful alpine streets and sip on a thick hot chocolate in a quaint café in Roccaraso. Learn to ski or snowboard with a friendly instructor or race your way down the long flowing hills.
Leave the city to discover consistent snow and more than 75 miles (120 kilometers) of groomed slopes. Roccaraso lies farther south than the majority of the country’s established resorts, which, along with the area’s size, means that the slopes are often uncrowded.
Select one of the three centers that operate close to the village. The rental shop at Monte Pratello is an easy 5-minute trip west on the ski-bus. Aramogna and Pizzalto are 15 minutes to the south. Book lessons for any level or just grab your gear and head out onto the slopes.
Beginners will be excited to learn that roughly half the runs here are graded as green or blue, with individual lifts providing easy access. More experienced skiers will find long steep sections that twist and turn through open fields and beech forests. If you’re looking for a real challenge, hop on the Monte Pratello lift at the western end of the park to test your skills on the black-graded Direttissima Trail. Snowboarders can enjoy two freestyle parks in addition to the slopes.
After a long day skiing, head into town to relax. Dine in style at your hotel or choose from excellent nearby restaurants. With the sun fading, enjoy a refreshing cocktail before you rest so you’re ready for another day on the slopes.
The ski season runs from October through April. During the summer the area is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. Roccaraso is in central Italy, a 2-hour drive east of RomeOpens in a new window. There are several excellent hotels in town along with a number of chalets.
Roccaraso is in Abruzzo, a region of contrasting landscapes with beautiful beaches and snow-covered mountains. Enjoy hiking and great skiing in the area.
