Passo Lanciano - Majelletta: Skiing with a Sea View over the Majella

Passo Lanciano - Majelletta is the most beloved ski resort for people from Pescara and Chieti and one of the most distinctive in Abruzzo. Located on the eastern flank of the Majella, inside the Majella National Park (a UNESCO Geopark), at elevations between 1,300 and 1,650 m, it offers 10–11 km of slopes served by 3 lifts. Its defining feature is a spectacular sea view: from the slopes you can see the Adriatic coast, the Tremiti Islands, and on the clearest days, even Croatia. This "sea resort" is perfect for anyone living along the Abruzzo Adriatic coast: in just 1 hour you can go from the beach to the snow. Ski passes are among the most affordable in Abruzzo, and the resort is ideal for families, beginners, and intermediate skiers.

Where Passo Lanciano - Majelletta Is Located

Passo Lanciano and Majelletta are two adjacent areas of the same ski resort, set on the eastern slopes of the Majella massif, in the province of Chieti. Passo Lanciano is the mountain pass at 1,300 m elevation, while Majelletta is the higher ski zone extending up to 1,650 m. The resort sits within the municipalities of Pretoro, Rapino, Pennapiedimonte, and Roccamorice, at the heart of the Majella National Park. Distances: 50 km from Pescara (1 hr via SS5), 40 km from Chieti (45 min), 110 km from L'Aquila (1 hr 40 min), 240 km from Rome (2 hr 30 min). The resort is reachable as a day trip from the entire Abruzzo and Molise Adriatic coast.

The Majella National Park

Passo Lanciano-Majelletta is the only ski resort on the eastern side of the Majella National Park, established in 1995. The Majella is known to the people of Abruzzo as "la Montagna Madre" — the Mother Mountain — sacred since prehistoric times. In 2021 the Park joined the UNESCO Global Geoparks network.

Key features of the territory:

• A massive mountain range: one of the most extensive in the Apennines, crowned by Monte Amaro (2,793 m), the second-highest peak in the Apennine chain after Corno Grande

• Celestinian hermitages: 30+ hermitages carved into the rock, inhabited by the disciples of Pietro da Morrone (later Pope Celestine V)

• Wildlife: Apennine wolf, Marsican brown bear, chamois, red deer, golden eagle

• Flora: rare, with endemic high-altitude species

To learn more, see the dedicated article.

The Ski Resort

Lifts

3 main lifts:

• Seggiovia Mammarosa: the main lift at Passo Lanciano, from 1,300 m to approximately 1,600 m

• Seggiovia La Maielletta: in the upper Majelletta zone, reaching 1,650 m

• Ski tow: serving the ski school area and intermediate slopes

• Magic carpets: for beginners and children

Slopes

10–11 km of slopes spread across:

• Blue runs: the majority, ideal for beginners and families

• Red runs: intermediate, with sea views

• More challenging variant: on the Majelletta side

The slopes are wide and well-groomed, perfect for those who want to ski without tackling technical terrain. Great for families and those just starting out.

The Sea View: Majelletta's True Highlight

What makes Passo Lanciano-Majelletta truly unique is the panorama from the top of the chairlift:

• The entire Abruzzo Adriatic coast: from Pescara all the way to Vasto

• The Tremiti Islands (40 km offshore from the Molise coast)

• The Gargano Promontory (Puglia)

• Croatia on exceptionally clear days

• The Majella behind you: an imposing massif, with Monte Amaro

• Gran Sasso to the north

A view that no other Italian resort can match — ski in the morning, sea in the afternoon, and an unbeatable panorama all day long.

Ski Passes

Passo Lanciano-Majelletta operates an independent ski pass (not part of larger consortiums like Alto Sangro or Tre Nevi). Indicative prices:

• Adult day pass: ~€25–30 (among the most affordable in Abruzzo)

• Half-day: ~€20–22

• Reduced rate for children: discounted prices

• Weekly pass: ~€130–150

Always check updated prices on the resort's official website.

Tourist Services

• Ski schools: Scuola Sci Passo Lanciano, Scuola Italiana Sci, FISI-certified instructors

• Equipment rental: at Passo Lanciano and Majelletta

• Bars and restaurants on the slopes and in panoramic mountain huts

• Self-service cafeteria for quick breaks

• Children's services: ski school area with animators, magic carpets, baby park

Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Off-Piste

Snowshoeing

The Majella Park offers extraordinary snowshoe routes:

• Eremo di Santo Spirito a Majella: the hermitage of Celestine V

• Piana del Voltigno: beech forests and snow-covered meadows

• Blockhaus: a famous cycling pass, utterly magical on snowshoes in winter

• Monte Amaro (experts only)

• Guided routes with Park guides

Cross-Country Skiing

Loops at Roccamorice, Sant'Eufemia a Maiella, and other hamlets in the Park. Both free and groomed tracks available.

Ski Mountaineering

Classic Majella ski touring routes:

• Monte Amaro (2,793 m): the "second summit" of the Apennines

• Monte Acquaviva (2,737 m)

• Monte Focalone

• Valle dell'Orfento

Experts only, accompanied by mountain guides.

Local Food Specialties of the Eastern Slopes

The cuisine on the Adriatic side differs from that of inland Abruzzo:

• Brodetto alla pescarese / vastese: the coast's classic fish stew

• Arrosticini: the emblematic dish, found everywhere

• Pallotte cace e ove: cheese and egg fritters

• Sagne a pezze e fagioli

• Pecorino di Farindola: DOP cheese

• Ventricina del Vastese: traditional cured meat

• Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine and Cerasuolo

• Liquirizia di Atri

What to Do Nearby

• Pretoro (10 km): a medieval borgo famous for its snake charmers (the "Serpari di Cocullo" festival in May)

• Rapino, Pennapiedimonte, Roccamorice (5–15 km): borghi of the eastern Majella

• Eremo di Santo Spirito a Majella: the hermitage of Celestine V (15 km from Passo Lanciano)

• Guardiagrele (25 km): a borgo of art and craftsmanship (home of medieval goldsmith Nicola da Guardiagrele)

• Chieti (40 km): the provincial capital, home to the Archaeological Museum

• Pescara (50 km): the great seaside city, birthplace of D'Annunzio

• The Adriatic coast: Lanciano, Vasto, San Vito Chietino (Costa dei Trabocchi) — all within 1 hour

Ski in the Morning, Sea in the Afternoon

The most distinctive experience at Passo Lanciano-Majelletta is the sea-and-mountain combination all in a single day. You can easily:

• Ski in the morning until 1 pm

• Have lunch on the slopes or in one of the Majella borghi

• Drive down to the Costa dei Trabocchi in the afternoon (1 hour by car)

• Stroll along the sea at sunset

• Enjoy a seafood dinner at a trabocco-restaurant

A one-of-a-kind experience in Italy. See Costa dei Trabocchi and Dining on a Trabocco.

Summer at Passo Lanciano

The eastern flank of the Majella is a popular destination in summer too:

• Trekking to Monte Amaro, Monte Acquaviva, and the Celestinian hermitages

• Mountain biking and enduro: the Blockhaus (1,665 m, a historic Giro d'Italia cycling pass) is a classic

• Horseback riding at stables around the Majella

• Adventure parks and family-friendly activities

• Cool air: at 1,300–1,650 m, a welcome escape from the coastal heat

Getting There

By Car from Pescara

From Pescara: SS5 toward Chieti → follow signs for Pretoro → SS81 (Strada Statale Piceno Aprutina) → Passo Lanciano. Travel time: 1 hour, 50 km.

By Car from Chieti

SS81 toward the Majella → Passo Lanciano. Travel time: 45 minutes, 40 km. A scenic road with hairpin bends.

By Car from Rome

A24/A25 toward Pescara → exit Alanno-Scafa → SS5 toward Chieti → SS81 toward Passo Lanciano. Total: 240 km, 2 hours 30 minutes.

By Train

Pescara Centrale or Chieti train stations, with onward bus connections or car rental.

By Bus

TUA Abruzzo: regular weekend winter services from Pescara and Chieti to Passo Lanciano.

Parking

Ample free parking at Passo Lanciano. On peak winter weekends — especially when conditions are good — arrive early.

Where to Stay

• Passo Lanciano: hotels and residences right at the base of the lifts (some ski-in/ski-out)

• Pretoro, Rapino, Pennapiedimonte: charming B&Bs in the Majella borghi

• Chieti: for those who want to combine a city stay

• Pescara, Francavilla al Mare, Montesilvano: for the sea + ski formula

• Caramanico Terme (40 km): for those who also want to combine a thermal spa visit

Opening Season and Webcams

Typical season: early December to late March. The relatively low elevation (1,300–1,650 m) means the season depends on natural snowfall and snowmaking. Always check:

• The official Passo Lanciano-Majelletta website

• Live webcams

• Snow report

• Lift status

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For more, read the article Skiing in Abruzzo: the complete guide and the dedicated articles: Roccaraso, Campo Imperatore, Ovindoli, Campo Felice, Pescasseroli.

For the Majella and the coast: Majella, Costa dei Trabocchi, Dining on a Trabocco.

Happy travels.