Ospitaletto (RE)
Near Ligonchio nel Parco, with its 1000 meter altitude, this is the highest municipality of the Apennines near Reggio Emilia. It was a feudal property of the legendary Matilde di Canossa for a long time. Tradition says that it was Matilde di Canossa herself who founded the “ospizio” (the location) for pilgrims, from which comes the name Ospitaletto.
Today it is a resort with three ski lifts which serve 1900 people per hour with the result that there is never a line. There are four slopes of varying difficulty (7 km in all). News: the project to improve the resort with a new chairlift has been approved. Among the vacation packages the snowshoe excursions continue from Pradarena to Ospitaletto. The offer is completed by hotels, restaurants, ski schools and guided ski or snowshoe outings. Info 0522 899121.
Pratizzano (RE)
Located in the heart of the National Park Tosco Emiliano, this resort is a vast natural prairie, surrounded by beech woods which in winter become cross-country ski tracks: 18 km in three circuits. The municipality is Ramiseto. There is a lodge, Pratizzano, which rents out skis and has a few rooms. Pratizzano is 12 km from Ramiseto and an hour from Reggio Emilia.
Info 347/88.69.112. IAT Appennino reggiano 0522.810.430.
Passo Penice (PC)
On the slopes (pendice) of the mountain of the same name, you can alpine ski. With slopes of varying levels on which, thanks to artificial snow, there is snow from December to March. The ski school of 4500 square meters, the slope Girasole (420 meters long) and the slope Diretta (320 mt) are all equipped with night lighting and lift. There is also a chronometer with an illuminated display at night activated with tokens or upon request for ski clubs allows skiers to compete or to simply time themselves for training. Prices: day pass 15 euro weekdays/18 euro holidays – morning, afternoon, night weekdays 10 euro/ 12 euro holidays. Reduced fares: day 10 euro weekdays/15 holidays – morning, afternoon, and night 10 euro weekdays/12 euro holidays. Info:0523.933411.
Snow info 349.4238068, http://www.passopenice.it.
Always in the Municipality of Bobbio a short distance from the town of Ceci, there is a 10 km cross-country ski slope divided into rings of 7.5, 5, 3, or 2 km. It is open, snow allowing, until March.
Snow Info: 347.7546324, http://www. sciclubbobbio.it
Trendy Sports
People are going crazy for snowshoeing, which can be done everywhere in Emilia Romagna. There are also night walks and the new sport: “snowshoeering” (orienteering competitions on snowshoes) which is practiced in Piandelagottti near Modena in the municipality of Frassinoro (www.scuolasciboscoreale.it). In Piandelagotti one can take lessons in dog sledding.
Night ski slopes are open at Passo Penice (Pc), Prato Spilla (Pr), Piane di Mocogno (Mo) and Piandelagotti (Mo). Upon request, all of the locations offer snowmobile trips to reach, maybe for a romantic dinner, a lodge at the top of a peak. Snowshoeing both during the day and at night also in the Apennines near Piacenzia in Prato Grade di Ferriere (Pc) and high altitude parties at the ski lodge from December to April.
In Campigna, 4 km of alpine ski slopes, in the municipality Santa Sofia, in the Apennines near Forli, in the heart of Romagna; a great anti-stress therapy is the slope dedicated exclusively to bobsledding. It’s enough to buy the ticket for the lift, bringing with you a bobsled or sled and then the entire snowy slope is at your disposition. Also in Romagna, the ever popular snowshoeing. They can also be used at night wearing a helmet with a light attached. Along with a guide, one can reach Monte Falco and the springs or the Arno. And at Le Balze (5 km of downhill and 5 km for cross-country) in the municipality of Verghereto, besides alpine skiing and cross-country, there are also snowmobile rides and nature hikes again with snowshoes. All of which can be finished off with a typical meal in an agriturismo. At Le Balze, there is also artificial snow. In Campigna this year there is a cross-country ring even more beautiful than usual: 10 km in the woods.
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Last update 30 November 2009
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