… a new mom raising kids between LA and Tuscany…

Ohhh Abetone!

This weekend we went to the local ski resort in the Appennino Tosco- Emiliano mountain range.  Abetone is about an hour up the mountain from Pistoia, a city just outside of Florence.  The drive up the mountain is on a two-lane curvy road that was once a mulatiera, or mule road, and is the only road in and out of the resort.  A little history:  I learned that the name of the mountain range comes from the Celtic word penn meaning mountain, and that Abetone is named such because of the giant fir tree  that had to be sacrificed in order to complete the road (abete = fir tree, one = suffix indicating largeness or greatness).

Along the way there are picturesque villages that you have to see to believe.  They are nuzzled into the mountainsides and each one has a magnificent church.   You’ll even pass the medieval hamlet of Cutigliano! If you drive at dusk when the lights in the villages are just turning on, you won’t be disappointed – it’s absolutely magical.

So once we arrived in Abetone, I learned that ski resorts here work differently than the ones I’m used to in America.  In America, there’s typically a central base for the resort where you park, buy your ticket, and take the main chair lift into the mountain.   Not the case here.  Here’ there are multiple spots to enter the mountain.

Once you reach the town of Abetone, you can hop on a lift at any one of seven different entry points.  Each base provides restaurants and entertainment.  The music at our base was 99% American with the band playing songs like Surfin’ USA!  Also, there is no ski pass checker.  There are turnstiles before jumping on a lift that only turn when they read the electronic sensor on your ski pass.  Nifty!

And once you get to the top… be prepared for some breathtaking views of the valley.  Ahead of you, you see the Cimone ski resort across the valley and from the backside of the peak, on a clear day, you can see the sea!  There’s also a lodge at the top of the lift if you want to grab a café and take in the beauty.

Another thing this American snowboarder wasn’t prepared for was the length of the runs.  Now, I’m a pretty decent snowboarder but I’m a little out of shape (cut me some slack… just had a baby!), so I don’t know if it was me or the incredibly long runs, but I was tired!

And if you have little ones that don’t ski yet like I do, there’s also some fun snow spots for sledding.

Also, in the village’s main square you’ll find lots of lots of bars and restaurants.  We ate at La Volpe e l’Uva.  If you are ever there, please please try the spatzle.  Here’s the best description I can offer: it’s gnocchi-like but with longer tube shapes, is made with spinach, and is served over a parmesan cheese disc.  In other words, it’s delicious!

All in all, I loved Abetone and can’t wait to go back again!