Early Start to the 2025–2026 Ski Season in Tuscany as Abetone Opens This Weekend

The winter season arrives early in the Tuscan Apennines. The Abetone ski area will open part of its lifts and slopes this coming weekend, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, following favourable weather conditions and the consolidation of the snow that fell in recent days. The confirmation came on Thursday, 27 November, after operators reviewed the latest forecasts and assessed the stability of the snowpack.

Abetone is the main ski destination in Tuscany and one of the most established resorts in the northern Apennines. Located on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, about 80 kilometres from Florence, it was developed in the early 20th century and today forms a single ski area together with Val di Luce, Doganaccia and other neighbouring sectors.

The area spans different altitudes, offers slopes for all skill levels, and is a popular winter destination for both Tuscan residents and visitors staying in Florence and nearby cities.

In the Val di Luce sector, operations will begin with the Gomito chairlift, the Passo d’Annibale chairlift up to the mid-station, and the Sprella and Abetina ski lifts. In the area managed by Abetone Funivie, the Ovovia gondola and the Baby conveyor lift will be running, with access to the Zeno 3 slope and the slalom stadium.

At the Doganaccia ski area, the season will start with the beginners’ area and slope no. 1 open, along with the cable car connecting Cutigliano to the mountain. All the lifts in operation will allow skiers to move between the Val di Luce and Gomito areas. For this first weekend of the 2025–2026 winter season, the day skipass will cost €36.

Thanks to recent snowfall and the cold temperatures of the past few days, operators have been able to prepare the slopes earlier than usual, allowing the Abetone Cutigliano ski area to open ahead of the traditional 8 December start to the season.

Some areas will remain shut. The beginners’ slopes below the main square in Abetone will not open for now, despite being among the first to operate in past years thanks to extensive use of artificial snow.

Four municipal lifts also remain closed: the Regine, Selletta and Riva chairlifts, and the Gomito ski lift. These facilities are awaiting the final approval of their multi-year concession to the company that won the public tender launched by the municipality.

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