Prati di Tivo is our closest ski resort, open between December and April it is just a 40-minute drive away from Casetta Lucciola and best suited for beginner to intermediate skiers being that most of its 20km of runs are pretty straight.
Although the resort buildings themselves are hardly eye-catching, its ‘Tetto d’Abruzzo’ (the Roof of Abruzzo) setting is stunning. Prati di Tivo sits at 1450 masl on the slopes of the Corno Piccolo in the Gran Sasso Mountains and its runs take you up to Arapietra at 2000 masl.
Like most ski-resorts, its busiest time is at weekends but we have never found we had to wait more than 5 minutes to get on one of the 6 lifts which their one official ski–pass covers all – its maximum capacity is 4,550 riders per hour.
We did once take a friend who had never skied before and did find that the button lifts on the nursery slopes were just a little bit tedious in the number of times they broke down, our friend did end up at one point alone and in ‘I am stranded’ tears after sitting mid nursery slope for 15 minutes. According to our Italian friends the 2 ski-schools are excellent but being that I haven’t yet been (although I seriously need to) this makes it a little difficult to comment on.
The resort itself has big bulky hotels but most people make a beeline for the accommodation just below Prati di Tivo in Pietracamela. This is a stunning little town with just 360 inhabitants but it gets absolutely jam-packed over the season. A lot of Italians have second homes here and trying to reverse, park in the tiniest of medieval streets, not skid, not hit any après skiers is just a bit of a nightmare… A better suggestion … rent our little mountain cottage down the mountain at 400 masl and relax in front of the open fire or enjoy one of the nearby agriturismi or restaurants that we can guarantee won’t be fully booked out.
Essential Prati di Tivo Ski Information
Website – www.pratiditivo.it, Email – info@pratiditivo.it
1 Cross-country skiing trail: 6 km
9 Alpine skiing trails: 15 km
- 1 black trail
- 3 red trails
- 5 blue/green trails
Author: Roddy Newlands
Roddy Newlands is an Associate Member of Life In Abruzzo, as well as antique book dealer and web and graphic designer. Abruzzo allows him to get his mountain-air fix, & satisfy his passion for pasta & panettone.
