Skiing in Northern Tuscany

[derekL]

A little late in the day, I know, but I made a promise to post this so, better late than never!

I'm just going to do a small report on how my family and I found the skiing in nearby Prato Spilla this year (February). I hope that, in response, others might post reports on other [nearby] resorts; e.g. Cerreto, Cimone, Abetone etc. If not this year, then maybe next season?

Anyway, for us novice skiers, Prato Spilla was ideal. As you can see from the first attached image, the roads were clear all the way up [from the Licciana/Tavernelle direction]. We had snow chains with us but we didn't need them. In fact, the roads were so clear we wondered whether there would be any snow at all! We got the feeling that the road up is well maintained and kept clear during the winter.

Thankfully, there was plenty snow at Prato Spilla, as you can see from the other images.
The guys who do the ski equipment hire are in the 'Parma Sport' shop. They also organise the lessons. They were all very nice, very friendly, a little mad and they couldn't do enough to help.
We hired an instructor for 3 hours (for the 4 of us) and it cost around €100 (his name was Max - excellent - lots of patience!). This included allowing us to stay on the slopes for the rest of the day to practice. Ski and boot hire etc was €15, but they did a discount for us over the 3 days.

After 2 days lessons & practice on the 'Campo Scuola', we felt confident enough to get out on one of the main slopes on the third day. This was, if I remember, €12 euro for the day. Buy your passes inside the main building, next to the cafe/bar.

Not a challenging ski resort, by any means; but this is a great place to learn and, if you're experienced, a great place to ski in relative peace and quiet. No large crowds at all. We met a few English people up there (experienced snowboarders) and they agreed.
We all enjoyed it very much but my oldest daughter (who outshone everyone, needless to say) and I are well and truly hooked! A couple of nasty falls (over confidence) didn't put me off so I'll certainly be back next year with, hopefully, my own skis and boots. See you there!

[Lorraine]

Derek

Does the ski lift open during the summer like the one at Febbio?
It would be nice to put on the list of places to visit next time we are over your neck of the woods. We were over at our place for New Year and as you know there was no snow at all anywhere so we were a bit disappointed.

Lorraine

[derekL]

Originally Posted by Lorraine

Does the ski lift open during the summer like the one at Febbio?

Not sure Lorraine. They have a kids adventure park, so we were up there last summer. Didn't notice the lift open so I'd say probably not.

[philg]

We have just brought a place in Northern Tuscany, and I wish to learn how to ski, but I can not find where the ski resort is . I have typed in to mulimap Prato Spilla , but I am getting quite a few replies and I am not sure which one it is. I went up to Zum Zeri with my brother in January 2007 , and there was no snow. Is it anywhere near there.

Thanks !

[tuscanhills]

Originally Posted by philg

...I have typed in to mulimap Prato Spilla , but I am getting quite a few replies and I am not sure which one it is......

There's some gerneal background here ->
Skiinfo - - Prato Spilla - Destinations - All about ski resorts - skating - ski-pass, cross-country skiing, skilifts

...or the resort homepage here -> pratospilla

[rebecca]

We went to Zum Zeri last February and the skiing was lovely for beginners or children. The snow was good, although there was not too much of it, so the lower slope(s) was closed. However as we only wwnt for the day to see what the resort was like we really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it. If you are an intermediate or advanced skiier you will be bored very quickly but as I say for families or beginners I think it is great.

[derekL]

Originally Posted by rebecca

We went to Zum Zeri last February...

Hi Rebecca, can you expand on prices, whether you can hire equipment and how to get there? Thanks.

[derekL]

This year I was keen on exploring some of the other slopes close to Lunigiana (Cerreto, Cimone, Abetone etc.). Well, as is often the case when we go out there, things didn't go according to plan because we never got anywhere beyond Prato Spilla.... again. From the pictures below, you can see why. The weather was perfect, the skiing was perfect, it's 25 minutes away and it never seems too busy.
Oh well, maybe next year...

One point. Prices have risen a little bit. Probably down to introducing a new electronic ski-pass system.

[Ghianda]

And here's the link to the Cereto site. Appennino Bianco: Cerreto Laghi We have some clients who have been skiing there this week and they say the snow is great - this view was backed up by one of the guys in Brico in Aulla today who was born there and who should know. Other friends who have tried out all the resorts in Lunigiana say that Cerato is the best - can't comment as I have only done Cereto. Further down the "road" though Abetone undoubtedly offers more extensive skiing.

Sadly, I'm stuck decorating.

Chris
Tuscany Bed and Breakfast - L'Olivo Piegato, The Crooked Olive

Originally Posted by philg

We have just brought a place in Northern Tuscany, and I wish to learn how to ski, but I can not find where the ski resort is . I have typed in to mulimap Prato Spilla , but I am getting quite a few replies and I am not sure which one it is. I went up to Zum Zeri with my brother in January 2007 , and there was no snow. Is it anywhere near there.

Thanks !

[Licciana]

When we were in Italy a few weeks ago, we attempted to do our own recce of Prato Spilla (at least I think it was Prato Spilla; we aimed for Zum Zeri). The weather in Licciana wasn't particularly cold so I was curious to know whether there would even be any snow.

Anyway, long story short we didn't quite make it - who knew it took soooo long to get to Zum Zeri? But we almost made it. The problem was that we had left it too late to get there in full sunshine and by the time we were getting close a rather dense fog/mist was settling and the light was getting very poor, so we turned back. We did, however get to see that there was definitely snow lining the road up to Zum Zeri so it proves that there is likely to be skiing even when there's no evidence of snow lower down the valley. Maybe next time...