Monte Amiata (Siena) - Skiing in Tuscany (sitios de interés)
Descripción del sitio
10 km ofskiing area
12 runs: 4blue, 6 red, 2 black
8 uphill systems
Height: valley 1370 m,station at 1738 m
Difference in height: 368 m
The ski resort of Mount Amiata offers 10 km of cross-country skiing with 8 lifts and 10 km of cross country skitrails (of which 5 kmare bashed trails), connected by a network of nearly fifteen kilometres of skilifts. The slopes have varying degrees of difficulty and are suitable for everytype of demand and capacity.
MonteAmiata, between the Maremma and the Val d'Orcia, is easily accessible fromeverywhere in central Italyand is the ideal place to learn to ski, as its runs are easily accessible and have facilities at all departurepoints. The two ski schools areconnected to the entire ski area. It is a mountain suitable for families, whichalso has runs for those seeking moreof a challenge or racing, such as Crocicchio-Dedo, a track where European-level competitions were held for years.
There are numerous comfortable accommodationpossibilities, offering visitors warmth and good food. You can stay at the topof the mountain directly on the ski slopes or down in the towns. Abbadia,Arcidosso, Castel del Piano, Piancastagnaio, Santa Fiora and Seggiano arethe nearby villages which are arranged in a ring on the mountainside. Away fromthe ski slopes the few kilometers of roads are streamlined and functionalwithout spoiling the beautiful landscape.
Winter in Amiata has something magical about it. Houses seem to snuggle together,keeping warm under the snow, living a more traditional type of life.
Besides skiing
Each town in the winter has festivals that celebrate their historicorigins. The Fiaccolate festivals during the Christmas period, the Befanate andthe Feast of the Dead Carnival are events which are now part of the yearly tradition.
The oldvolcano of Amiata has beech forests upon it, where you can find cross-countrytrails reserved for hikers and lovers of cross-country skiing and skimountaineering. It is an area unique and unmistakable for its landscape,covered by dense vegetation and large rocks scattered over its slopes, whichwith the white snow seem as though they come straight out of a fairy-tale,alongside the villages steeped in history. Visitors often come across deerduring outings into the wood, which are more approachable during the winter asthey search for food.
Nearby spas
Terme San Filippo – 17 km, 25 minutes by car.
Terme di Santa Caterina in Bagno Vignoni – 34 km, 45 minutes by car.
Fonteverde Tuscan Resort e Spa – 40 km, 50 minutes by car.
Terme di Saturnia - 42 km,50 minutes by car.
Terme di Montepulciano – 47 km, 1 hour by car.
How to get here
From Rome (180 Km)
Take the A1 highway (direction Florence)
Leave at Orvieto and continue until Acquapendente. Turn into the S.S. 2 Cassia (direction Siena). Take the exit for Abbadia San Salvatore and follow directions for Monte Amiata
From Viterbo (80 Km)
Take the S.S 2 Cassia (direction Siena). Take the exit for Abbadia San Salvatore and follow directions for Monte Amiata.
From Siena (80 Km)
Take the S.S 2 Cassia (direction Rome)
Take the exit for Abbadia San Salvatore and follow directions for Monte Amiata.
From Grosseto (80 Km)
Take the S.S 223 Grosseto-Siena (direction Siena)
Take the Paganico exit
Follow directions for Monte Amiata.
From Arezzo (90 Km)
Take the A1 highway (direction Rome) and leave at Valdichiana-Bettolle
Continue until Pienza
Turn into the S.S. 2 Cassia (direction Rome)
Take the exit for Abbadia San Salvatore and follow directions for Monte Amiata.
From Florence (150 Km)
Take the Florence-Siena highway (direction Siena)
Take the exit for the S.S 223 Siena-Grosseto
Continue on the S.S 223 Siena-Grosseto (direction Grosseto)
Take the Paganico
Follow signs for Monte Amiata.
From Perugia (100 Km)
Take the Perugia-A1 highway (direction Bettolle)
Take the Magione exit and continue until Chiusi-Chianciano Terme
Turn into the S.P 40 crossing Amiata-Chianciano (direction S.S.2 Cassia)
Turn into the S.S. 2 Cassia (direction Rome)
Take the exit for Abbadia San Salvatore and follow directions for Monte Amiata
The prices
A day passcosts 25 euro on holidays and 19 euro normally, and there are reductions forchildren between 12 and 17, those over 60, members of F.I.S.I. and UISP,members of the military, students and members of COOPAMIATA. From January 8,every Tuesday and Thursday, there are promotional rates of 14 euro for day skipasses. For more information, consult the official website.
Useful links: www.amiataneve.it, www.turismoinmaremma.it
Information
Information office, reservations and tourist services: Via Adua, 21,Abbadia San Salvatore (Siena), Tel: 0577 775811
Snow number: 0577.775858
Local tourist information: Arcidosso, tel. 0564.968084; Santa Fiora, tel.0564.977142
Amiata Skipass: Via B. Buozzi, 18, Abbadia San Salvatore, tel. 0577.776232,e-mail: skipassamiata@gmail.com