{"id":5733,"date":"2013-11-13T17:07:47","date_gmt":"2013-11-13T16:07:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=5733"},"modified":"2020-04-27T15:45:27","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T14:45:27","slug":"mount-etna-ski-sicily","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/mount-etna-ski-sicily","title":{"rendered":"Mount Etna: The Surprising Way to Ski Sicily"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There are a lot of ways to <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/sicily-tours\/mt-etna-tours\"><strong>enjoy Mt. Etna<\/strong><\/a>, but one of the most surprising is skiing on it. While Europe&#8217;s largest active volcano is commonly known for its role in Greek mythology and unpredictable eruptions, few realize it has ski resorts, too.<\/p>\n<p>Sure, Mount Etna&#8217;s slopes may not be as expansive and exciting as those in northern Italy. But skiing on a volcano, with a view of the sea, makes this the most unique experience of skiing in Italy.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s what you need to know before planning your trip!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5748\" style=\"width: 522px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/2492152666_c2bb8688cc_z.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5748\" class=\" wp-image-5748 \" title=\"Ski on Mount Etna\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/2492152666_c2bb8688cc_z.jpg\" alt=\"Ski Sicily\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5748\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cross-country skiing\u2026 on Europe&#8217;s most active volcano. Photo by Franco Pecchio<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/mount-etna-ski-sicily\/#What_are_the_ski_slopes_of_Mount_Etna_like\" >What are the ski slopes of Mount Etna like?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/mount-etna-ski-sicily\/#How_can_I_get_to_the_Mount_Etna_ski_resorts\" >How can I get to the Mount Etna ski resorts?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/mount-etna-ski-sicily\/#Whens_the_best_time_to_ski_Mount_Etna\" >When&#8217;s the best time to ski Mount Etna?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/mount-etna-ski-sicily\/#What_about_volcanic_eruptions\" >What about volcanic eruptions?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/mount-etna-ski-sicily\/#And_in_the_summer\" >And in the summer?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_ski_slopes_of_Mount_Etna_like\"><\/span>What are the ski slopes of Mount Etna like?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Mt. Etna&#8217;s two main ski resorts, Piano Provenzana and Nicolosi, offer both alpine and downhill slopes. Nicolosi, located in the southern part of the mountain, covers more ground and has more vertical pistes.<\/p>\n<p>The trails tend to be very smooth, thanks to the volcano&#8217;s settled lava!\u00a0Better yet, crowds tend to be small, and at about 25 euro per day, ski passes cost much less than those in the north.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_I_get_to_the_Mount_Etna_ski_resorts\"><\/span>How can I get to the Mount Etna ski resorts?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The closest airport to Mount Etna is in Catania, approximately an hour&#8217;s drive from mountain&#8217;s southern slope. Public trains and buses have a limited year-round schedule and many hotels organize shuttles during the peak season.<\/p>\n<p>Mount Etna makes an easy day trip from Catania, Taormina or Messina. Otherwise, plenty of hotels are located on and around the mountain\u2026 just for those who want their Sicilian holiday especially snow-filled!<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whens_the_best_time_to_ski_Mount_Etna\"><\/span>When&#8217;s the best time to ski Mount Etna?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Mt. Etna&#8217;s high altitude (more than 10,000 feet!) means snow on the mountain&#8217;s peak from the end of November to April. For optimal snow conditions, try to go in December, January or February. And remember, thanks to its Mediterranean location, the climate is much warmer than the northern Italian mountains\u2014toward the season&#8217;s end, you might even see skiers in short-sleeved shirts!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5747\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/5607628642_86bd79f329_z.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5747\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5747 \" title=\"Mount Etna Sicily\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/5607628642_86bd79f329_z.jpg\" alt=\"Etna eruption (flickr: gnuckx)\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5747\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mount Etna erupts. Photo by gnuckx (Flickr)<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_about_volcanic_eruptions\"><\/span>What about volcanic eruptions?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ah, yes\u2026 we&#8217;re glad you asked! After all, Mt. Etna keeps residents and tourists alike on their feet with its uncertain activity, including eruptions that sometimes result in ash and smoke rings\u2014all of which can affect the season&#8217;s ski schedule (you can check the current conditions on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etnasci.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EtnaSci<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>But the eruptions aren&#8217;t all bad. Thanks to the volcanic minerals in the soil, the area produces delicious mushrooms, grapes and pistachios, among other kinds of local produce!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5749\" style=\"width: 458px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/3416110808_60abdfe479_z.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5749\" class=\" wp-image-5749 \" title=\"Mount Etna in winter\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/3416110808_60abdfe479_z.jpg\" alt=\"Ski Sicily\" width=\"448\" height=\"298\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5749\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow-capped Mt. Etna. Photo by Allie Caulfield<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_in_the_summer\"><\/span>And in the summer?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you don&#8217;t have the chance to visit Mount Etna in the winter, you can still enjoy the fascinating mountain in the spring and summer, too. Hike, take a ski lift to the top, and enjoy the spectacular views of the nearby sea!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are a lot of ways to enjoy Mt. Etna, but one of the most surprising is skiing on it. While Europe&#8217;s largest active volcano is commonly known for its role in Greek mythology and unpredictable eruptions, few realize it has ski resorts, too. Sure, Mount Etna&#8217;s slopes may not be as expansive and exciting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":5749,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[75,82],"ppma_author":[160],"class_list":["post-5733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-sicily","tag-winter"],"authors":[{"term_id":160,"user_id":28,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly-2","display_name":"Elena Ciprietti","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9faa64906a691c0581a37e3599ce455d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"","first_name":"Elena Ciprietti","job_title":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5733"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5733"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5733\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15862,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5733\/revisions\/15862"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5733"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}