Winter 2026/2027 in Abruzzo: a complete guide to what to do from December to March

Winter 2026/2027 in Abruzzo is a season of extraordinary variety: you can ski in the morning and see the sea in the afternoon, soak in the Caramanico thermal baths with snow falling outside, join a guided snowshoe hike in the PNALM following wolf tracks, or ring in New Year's Eve at altitude in Roccaraso with fireworks over the slopes or along Pescara's seafront promenade. The region boasts over 400 km of ski runs across 4 national and regional parks, a dozen ski resorts, scores of medieval borghi decked out for the holidays, the Living Nativity Scene of Rivisondoli (one of Italy's oldest, since 1951), the white truffle of Castel di Sangro, a winter cuisine rich with soups, fish stew, roasts and festive sweets (caggionetti, ferratelle, pizzelle), and a Transiberiana d'Italia train journey through the snow. A complete guide to planning a winter trip between December and March, from Christmas to Carnival.

Why choose Abruzzo for winter 2026/2027

Abruzzo is a privileged winter destination for travelers from central and southern Italy — and beyond — for several reasons:

• Strategic location: less than 2 hours from Rome, 3 hours from Naples, 1h30 from Pescara. A weekend trip is entirely doable.

• Stunning landscape variety: within just 50 km you go from the Adriatic coast (Pescara, Vasto) to peaks of 2,900 m (Corno Grande, Gran Sasso). It's the only Italian region where you can ski with a sea view (Prati di Tivo, Passo Lanciano-Majelletta).

• Four national and regional parks: PNALM, Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, Majella (UNESCO Geopark), Sirente-Velino. You ski surrounded by pristine nature.

• Wildlife: Marsican brown bears, Apennine wolves, Abruzzo chamois, golden eagles. In winter it's easier to spot deer and wolves by their tracks in the snow.

• Exceptional winter cuisine: from Teramo's zuppa di virtù to fish brodetto, from maccheroni alla chitarra to traditional Christmas sweets.

• Competitive prices: ski passes between €25 and €57 (among the lowest in Italy), hotels at far lower rates than the Alps.

• Age-old traditions: the Notte delle Streghe in Castel del Monte, the Living Nativity Scene of Rivisondoli (since 1951), the Farchie di Fara Filiorum Petri on January 16.

Skiing in Abruzzo

Abruzzo has over 400 km of runs spread across a dozen ski resorts. The 7 main ones:

• Roccaraso-Rivisondoli (Alto Sangro): the largest ski area in the central-southern Apennines, 110–130 km of runs, 28–32 lifts. See dedicated article

• Campo Imperatore (Gran Sasso): the highest resort in the Apennines, up to 2,235 m, historic cable car dating back to 1934, skiing through to May. See dedicated article

• Ovindoli-Monte Magnola: 30 km of runs, Magnola Snowpark, night skiing, 1h30 from Rome. See dedicated article

• Campo Felice: 38–40 km of runs, drops of over 600 m, snowpark. See dedicated article

• Pescasseroli (PNALM): 20 km of runs, the Direttissima black run, snow tubing, wildlife all around. See dedicated article

• Passo Lanciano-Majelletta: 10–11 km of runs with views over the Adriatic, the Tremiti Islands and Croatia, budget-friendly ski pass. See dedicated article

For a complete guide to skiing in Abruzzo, see the dedicated article.

Snowshoeing, ski touring and cross-country skiing

Beyond downhill skiing, Abruzzo is a top destination for those seeking alternative winter activities:

Guided snowshoe hikes

Snowshoe walks are one of the most evocative ways to discover the Abruzzo mountains. Classic routes:

• PNALM: Val di Rose, Val Fondillo, Bosco di Sant'Antonio (wolf and deer tracks)

• Gran Sasso: Campo Imperatore, Piano del Voltigno, Monte Bolza

• Majella: Eremo di Santo Spirito, Piana del Voltigno, Blockhaus

• Sirente-Velino: Altopiano delle Rocche, Piana del Sirente

See dedicated article.

Ski touring

Gran Sasso and Majella are legendary training grounds for Italian ski tourers, with classic routes up Corno Grande, Monte Aquila, Monte Amaro and Monte Acquaviva. See dedicated article.

Cross-country skiing

Abruzzo is the Italian region with the longest Nordic skiing loops in the Apennines: over 60 km at Campo Imperatore, 32 km at Piano Aremogna (Roccaraso), loops at Pescasseroli, Altopiano delle Rocche and Pescocostanzo.

Winter thermal baths

Abruzzo offers historic and modern thermal spas, perfect for relaxation after a day on the snow:

• Caramanico Terme: in the heart of Majella, sulfurous springs, thermal circuits, SPA

• Popoli Terme: historic Roman thermal baths

• Canistro: in the Valle Roveto, famous mineral water

• Raiano: a small thermal retreat

See dedicated article (coming soon).

New Year's Eve in Abruzzo

New Year's Eve in Abruzzo is rich with traditions and celebrations that vary by area:

New Year's Eve in the mountains

• Roccaraso: fireworks over the slopes, torch-lit descents on snow, markets through to January 6, gala dinners in hotels and restaurants in the center

• Rivisondoli: festive dinners with entertainment, and on January 5 the famous Living Nativity Scene (since 1951)

• Ovindoli: gala dinners in high-altitude mountain lodges

• Pescocostanzo: a medieval borgo dressed for the season, a toast under a starlit sky, artisan markets

New Year's Eve in the cities

• Pescara: free concert in Piazza Salotto/della Rinascita (national-caliber artists every year), fireworks on the beach, seafood dinner

• L'Aquila: New Year's concert at the Auditorium del Parco del Castello (the Renzo Piano auditorium built after the 2009 earthquake)

• Sulmona: outdoor celebration in Piazza XX Settembre from 11 pm to 3 am, live music and DJ sets

• Chieti: Year-End Gala at the Teatro Marrucino + street party in Piazza San Giustino

• Teramo: live music evening in Piazza Martiri della Libertà

See dedicated article.

A ski week in Abruzzo

A ski week in Abruzzo is one of the best-value in Italy. Best period: between the first and fourth week of February. To plan it well, consider:

• Multi-resort ski passes (Alto Sangro, Tre Nevi, Due Nevi) to ski across several resorts

• Ski-in/ski-out hotels for families

• Children's ski schools

• Weekly packages (hotel + ski pass) often very good value

See dedicated article.

Winter traditions and festivals

Abruzzo is one of Italy's richest regions for age-old winter traditions:

• January 16 – Sant'Antonio Abate: Farchie di Fara Filiorum Petri (Chieti), towering bundles of reeds set ablaze for Saint Anthony. See dedicated article

• January 17: Fuochi di Sant'Antonio Abate bonfires in countless villages across Abruzzo. See dedicated article

• January 5: Living Nativity Scene of Rivisondoli, one of Italy's oldest (since 1951)

• December 22–25: Christmas Night in Cocullo with bonfires

• Christmas markets: Pescocostanzo, Roccaraso, L'Aquila, Sulmona, Caramanico Terme

• Carnival: Castiglione Messer Marino, Cocullo, Pescocostanzo

• August 17 – Notte delle Streghe in Castel del Monte: see dedicated article

For all traditions, see dedicated article.

Abruzzo's winter cuisine

Winter in Abruzzo comes with a formidable gastronomic tradition:

First courses

• Maccheroni alla chitarra with castrato sauce or lamb ragù

• Pasta alla mugnaia, a specialty of Elice

• Virtù teramane: a soup of 7 legumes and 7 vegetables (the lesser-known winter version)

• Polenta rognosa with sausages and cheese

• Sagne e fagioli (pasta and bean soup)

Main courses

• Arrosticini: the region's signature dish, perfect in winter with a glass of red wine

• Agnello cacio e ova: a traditional Easter dish (also served during the festive season)

• Mixed roasts: lamb, mutton, kid goat

• Brodetto di pesce alla pescarese/vastese: for those staying on the coast

• Wild boar stew: a Park tradition

Christmas sweets

• Caggionetti: fried pastry filled with grape jam or chestnuts

• Ferratelle (or pizzelle): traditional waffle cookies

• Bocconotti: small pastries filled with cream or jam

• Confetti di Sulmona: the sweet-making tradition of Ovid's city

• Parrozzo: the iconic cake from Pescara

See the gastronomy and arrosticini article.

White truffle in winter

From October to mid-January is the season of the prized white truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico). Abruzzo is one of Italy's most important regions for white truffle production, especially:

• Castel di Sangro: the "capital" of Abruzzo's truffle world

• Vastese-Frentano: Rosello, Borrello, Pizzoferrato, Quadri, Torrebruna

• Valle Roveto: Civitella Roveto and surroundings

• Carsoli, Val di Luppa, Tagliacozzo

• San Benedetto in Perillis: guided foraging excursions with truffle hunters

See dedicated article.

Christmas markets and Nativity Scenes

Abruzzo is home to some of Italy's most atmospheric Christmas markets:

• Pescocostanzo: one of Italy's most beautiful borghi, markets winding through the historic center

• L'Aquila: markets in Piazza Duomo following the city's reconstruction

• Sulmona: in the city of Ovid, with confetti sweets as souvenirs

• Roccaraso: along Via Roma and Piazza Leone, open through January 6

• Caramanico Terme: Christmas Village with an ice skating rink

• Vasto: Christmas Village + the "Befana arriving from the sea" event

The most important Living Nativity Scenes:

• Rivisondoli: the most celebrated (since 1951), on January 5

• Civitella del Tronto: inside the Bourbon fortress

• Pacentro: in the medieval borgo

• Bucchianico: with performers in historical costumes

The Transiberiana d'Italia in winter

The historic Sulmona–Carpinone railway line, nicknamed the "Transiberiana d'Italia", winds through 118 km of Abruzzo and Molise Apennines aboard a vintage train pulled by a steam locomotive. In winter, from around November 22 to December 22, it runs special "Christmas market trains" that stop at the most beautiful borghi (Sulmona, Pescocostanzo, Rivisondoli, Roccaraso, Castel di Sangro). A uniquely slow travel experience through snow-dusted borghi.

The Adriatic coast in winter

The Abruzzo coast in winter has a different but deeply authentic charm:

• Pescara: seafront promenade, open bars and restaurants, Christmas Village. A lively scene even in winter.

• Vasto: Christmas Village, festive events, classic vastese brodetto

• Costa dei Trabocchi: the trabocchi fishing machines are spectacular against a grey winter sea. Some trabocco restaurants stay open.

• Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Pineto: the Teramo coastline, quiet but perfect for a seafood dinner

Getting there

By car

• From Rome: A24 and A25 motorways toward L'Aquila/Pescara, with specific exits for each destination

• From Naples: A1 to Caianello, then SS158–SS83 for the PNALM, or A14 for the coast

• From Bologna: A14 all the way to Pescara

By train

Main rail stations: Pescara, L'Aquila, Sulmona, Avezzano, Teramo. From Sulmona, the Transiberiana d'Italia departs for the winter south of Abruzzo.

By plane

Pescara – Abruzzo Airport with domestic and international flights (Ryanair, AeroItalia).

What to pack for an Abruzzo winter trip

• Layered clothing: technical base layer, fleece, waterproof windproof jacket

• Footwear: waterproof snow boots, trekking boots for snowshoeing

• Accessories: hat, scarf, warm gloves, technical wool socks

• For skiing: ski suit, sunglasses or goggles, certified ski helmet (legally mandatory from 2025/2026)

• SPF 50+ sunscreen: UV radiation is amplified by snow at altitude

• Snow chains: compulsory on board from November 15 to April 15, or winter tires

• Swimwear: for the thermal baths

When to go

• December: Christmas markets, slopes opening, festive atmosphere. Best window: December 8 (Immaculate Conception) – December 23 to avoid the holiday rush

• New Year's (Dec 27 – Jan 6): peak season, events, gala dinners. Book 3–4 months ahead.

• January: after Epiphany, abundant snow, lower prices, fewer crowds. Ideal for families and ski weeks.

• February: classic ski week season, peak around February 13–21, Carnival

• March: the season winds down. Campo Imperatore stays open through May.

Stravagando marketplace experiences

Stravagando is the Italian marketplace for experiences exactly like these: guided snowshoeing, skiing with local instructors, Abruzzo thermal tours, winter stays in villages, led by carefully selected local hosts. We're putting together our Abruzzo catalogue right now— included — and in the coming months you'll be able to book directly here.

In the meantime, if you are ski instructors, mountain guides, refuge managers, or ski resort operators and want to join our circle, write to us: we're looking for you.

And if you're a traveler, subscribe to the Stravagando newsletter: we'll let you know as soon as the first experiences are bookable online — with transparent pricing, certified hosts, and an editorial curation we promise feels different from the big generalist marketplaces.

To explore each topic in depth: Skiing in Abruzzo, New Year's Eve in Abruzzo, Ski Week in Abruzzo, Snowshoeing, Ski Touring, White Truffle.

Happy travels.