Snow in Tuscany: the best places for skiing and snowshoeing

Montagna Pistoiese is one of the best-equipped areas in Tuscany for skiing. Between Abetone and the Valley of Luce, in the most famous ski area of Central Italy, there are 50 km of pistes served by 17 lift facilities, including chairlifts, drag lifts, gondolas, and conveyor lifts.
Also not to be missed is Doganaccia, in the Apennines between Corno alle Scale and Monte Libro Aperto, which offers more than 15 km of ski slopes.
In addition to lessons for beginners and advanced training routes, the resort is fully equipped to welcome people with disabilities, thanks to trained companions and specialised equipment such as monoskis and dualskis.
For snowshoeing, in the ancient beech forest of Sestaione Valley, towards Lago Nero lake – a body of glacial origin that freezes completely in winter – you can follow a 10 km route starting from the Orto Botanico Forestale (Abetone Forest Botanical Garden) and ending beneath Alpe Tre Potenze.
The Monte Maiori loop is ideal for those trying snowshoes for the first time, as is the Doganaccia area, which is also the starting point for reaching Lago Scaffaiolo lake and the Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi mountain cabin along a route of about 9 km.
For those seeking a longer excursion, the Forest of Teso offers a trail of approximately 13 km, starting from Campo Tizzoro and passing through unspoilt woodland and places rich in history.

Between the Tuscan–Ligurian Apennines and the Tuscan–Emilian Apennines National Park, Lunigiana offers evocative scenery for enjoying the snow either actively or contemplatively.
The area's main ski destination is Zum Zeri, with 8 km of easy and intermediate slopes served by a chairlift and a ski lift, a beginners' area, and a baby park and play area for younger children. Here, the slopes stretch from Monte Fabei (almost 1600 metres above sea level) to the Passo dei Due Santi (1250 metres above sea level). From the pistes, the view stretches across a panorama ranging from the Ligurian Sea at the Gulf of Poets to the coast of Versilia.
The resort also offers options for beginner snowshoers: equipment can be hired on site and easy routes followed, making it possible to reach the summit of Monte Spiaggi without difficulty.
For those who enjoy snowshoeing on fresh snow, Lunigiana offers itineraries of varying length and difficulty.
In Brattello Forest, there are easy half-day routes winding through conifers and ancient beech trees; from here it is also possible to climb towards the summit of Monte Molinatico along a more demanding trail.
From Lagastrello Pass, a full-day route leads towards Monte Acuto, passing lakes and beech forests.
Finally, for more experienced hikers, there is a half-day circular route in the area of Ospedalaccio Pass, with the option of reaching the springs of the Secchia River or descending towards Lago Paduli lake or the Vallone dell'Inferno (Hell Valley).

In Garfagnana, skiing is available in two locations: Casone di Profecchia and Careggine.
Casone di Profecchia is particularly suitable for those putting on skis for the first time, thanks to its beginners' areas, but it also offers more demanding slopes.
In Careggine there are two pistes with a total length of 700 metres; at Monte la Cima there are three additional pistes totalling 3 km, while in the Vianova area a beginners' slope is available.
Both locations are set amid scenic landscapes that reach the peaks of the Apuan Alps and the Apennines.

In the south of Tuscany, Monte Amiata is one of the main destinations for enjoying the snow. Here, in the largest beech forest in Europe, 12 km of pistes of all levels of difficulty wind their way through the landscape, served by 8 ski lifts. For cross-country skiing enthusiasts, there are numerous trails extending over several kilometres, including the Marsiliana loop and the Macinaie loop.
When snowfall is particularly abundant, it is also possible to go snowshoeing in the forests of Monte Amiata: here you can snowshoe both by day and by night – simply contact the local guides and choose the excursion you wish to undertake.
There are routes of all kinds and levels of difficulty, suitable for both adults and children, allowing you to venture deep into the woodland.
There are also many mountain huts where you can enjoy a well-earned break at the end of your snow outings: with a hot chocolate or a steaming cup of tea, admiring the snow-covered landscape is all the more enjoyable.