Skiing in the Pistoiese Mountains
Skiing in Abetone
The Abetone area, with its four valleys: Val di Luce, the Scoltenna Valle, Valle del Sestaione and Val di Lima, is the most important ski resort of central Italy. The origin of Abetone (1388 m) dates to the second half of 1700 when it was built the road to reach the Modenese area directly from Tuscany without crossing the Papal States. Two pyramids, located at both sides of the pass, mark the boundary between the two old States. It is said that the name Abetone derives from a huge fir tree which was felled for the construction of the Modenese road. The Abetone is an autonomous municipality since 1936. The town is located 1388 m altitude. The fractions are: Boscolungo (1378 m), Le Regine (1258 m), Val di Luce (1512 m).
Ski resort:
The ski resort of Abetone includes about 50 km of slopes, for a total of about 30 slopes, served by 22 lifts operated by the company Multipass that allows skiing on all slopes with a single ticket. The headquarters of Abetone Multipass is in the central square in Abetone, where you can buy any type of ticket.
Skiing in Val di Luce
The Val di Luce, along with the Val di Lima, Scoltenna and Valle del Sestaione is one of four valleys of the Abetone ski resort. The valley is located at 1500 m while the ski resort Val di Luce is at 1940 m, near of Alpe delle Tre Potenze.
At the beginning of 1900 the area was called the Valle delle Pozze (puddles valley) and it was built an hydroelectric power station by L. Farinati. Perhaps it was the ode to the water that turns into light, unpublished poem by Giovanni Pascoli, written specially for the hydroelectric station that transformed the name of the valley.
Slopes and lifts: the slopes and facilities of ValdiLuce are part of the Abetone ski resort and are connected to it through a modern system of refuges and skilifts. The ValdiLuce, in particular, has 6 skilifts (from 1200 meters to 1890 meters) and more than 14 km of slopes.
Getting there: by car via the SS 12 of Abetone and Brennero up to the Abetone resort. The ValdiLuce is 2 km after the pass of Abetone.
Website: www.valdiluce.com
Skiing in Doganaccia
The Doganaccia (1530 m) is located on the ridge between the Apennine mountain Libro Aperto and the Corno alle Scale. The name of Doganaccia comes from the presence of a customs in the heart of the Tuscan-Emilian mountains between the Duchy of Modena and the Grand Duke of Tuscany, which remained virtually deserted in winter. In 1959, with the construction of the cable car Cutigliano-Doganaccia (15 passengers in eight minutes) the area starts to develop tourism and to become today a very crowded resort both in summer and winter.
Slopes and lifts: two cable cars and three ski lifts. Over 12 km of slopes on a drop of about 300 meters, for experts (higher) and beginners (lower the ski area). The slopes are never without snow thanks to the atificial snow plant. There is also a slope for bob with lift. Ski school, hotel restaurant and a refuge on the slope (at the starting point of Faggio di Maria plants).
Excursions: different walks, with snowshoes or skis. Natural paths on off tracks.
How to get there: by cable car from Cutigliano (730 m) (transporting 45 people in six minutes): by car via the SS 12 dell'Abetone and Brenner until Cutigliano and then follow the road Cutigliano-Doganaccia; by bus, connected to the train station of Pracchia or Pistoia.
Website: www.doganaccia2000.it
Skiing in Casetta dei Pulledrari
In the Foresta del Teso, a wonderful nordic ski track of about 6 km starting Casetta dei Pulledrari restaurant (1222 m): an old refuge for horses and foals. The lower part of the skitrack is easier and accessible to beginners.
The higher part is more technical and reaches 1300 m. The management of the ski track is entrusted to the Ski Club of Mountain Pistoiese in Maresca.
You can rent skis, boots and poles, and book private lessons at the restaurant "Casetta dei Pulledrari".
For information:
Hotel Restaurant "Casetta dei Pulledrari" - Foresta del Teso - Tel. 0573/64311 - 0573/629057 (always open).
