Campo Imperatore

Campo Imperatore feels like a place outside time. The vast high plateau of the Gran Sasso, nicknamed “Little Tibet,” opens up above 2,100 m below Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennines and home to the Calderone, Europe’s southernmost glacier. It’s not a modern resort: it’s one of the highest and wildest ski areas in the Apennines, for people who want real snow, silence, and genuine mountains, in a landscape on a truly impressive scale.

Why Go Snowboarding

Campo Imperatore isn’t for everyone: it rewards experienced, self-sufficient riders. It’s the highest ski resort in Abruzzo, and thanks to the altitude (1,880–2,199 m) the natural snow often lasts well into spring. There’s a small snowpark on the plateau (starting at 2,130 m), set up depending on the season. There are only 9 runs served by 3 lifts, but the real draw is the off-piste: the gullies and faces of the Gran Sasso open up some of the wildest ski touring and freeride routes in central Italy. The descent into Valle Fredda is a classic for experienced riders: remote, wide open, with a natural line down toward the L’Aquila side of the massif. With a transceiver, probe, shovel, and good mountain knowledge, Campo Imperatore becomes a serious destination.

Terrain & Slopes

The cable car leaves from Fonte Cerreto (about 20 minutes from L’Aquila) and takes 7 minutes to reach the plateau at 2,130 m. From there you get to 9 marked runs, about 13 km in all, with 319 m of vertical between the lowest point and the top. They’re mostly reds and blacks: this isn’t a resort built for total beginners. The shape of the plateau allows traverses and off-piste lines, which multiply after a snowfall; the terrain is serious and the setting is remote. The plateau also has 60 km of cross-country trails, handy if you’re traveling with a mixed group.

Getting There

From L’Aquila, take the SS17bis toward Assergi, then the road to Fonte Cerreto: about 20 minutes from downtown. From Rome, take the A24 to the L’Aquila Est exit, then follow the signs to Fonte Cerreto, about 20 minutes away. Buses also run from L’Aquila to Fonte Cerreto, but not often. Parking at Fonte Cerreto, at the cable car base, is free.

Tips

The plateau is fully exposed to the wind and the weather can change fast: always check conditions before heading up. Hikers use the plateau too, and off-piste riding takes mountaineering skills: away from groomed runs, a transceiver, probe, and shovel are mandatory. Services up top are basic: the historic hotel at 2,130 m has a restaurant, but don’t expect the comfort of a modern resort. The lift ticket is among the cheapest in Abruzzo. The season is long (sometimes into late April), so Campo Imperatore is a great late-winter option when lower resorts have already closed.