 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Just back this morning from 3 days skiing in Roccaraso in Abruzzo, The Appennines biggest resort. Was warm and fairly slushy on all exposed slopes on Sunday and Monday. Cooler yesterday with some firmer conditions but quiet a few stones appearing on some pistes. My Volkl Karma have a few base holes that I will need to repair. I believe Roccaraso means razor rock! However nearly all runs open but only off piste opportunities were near the top of the mountain. From the reports it will be snowing today for maybe 3 days so conditions are set to improve.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 23-03-08 23:43; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Hi Peter
Sorry again for not meeting up, hope the few rocks didnt make it too hard to bare. Look forward to a trip report and your thoughts on how it compares to a more well known resort.
As our time in Italy is drawing to a close looks like I might struggle to get one more trip in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Gilberts Fridge, no worries, I'll attempt a report once I upload some photos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Harumph Just been informed by domestic managment that there will be no chance of a day trip until after pay day 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Peter Ross, went to Roccaraso again on Tuesday. The snow had held up really well from the snow that finished Friday but there was strong winds about so they'd shut the top gondola. Had intermittent snowfall on top of what was there so timed it quite well. There were high temperatures Wednesday and yesterday (when we flew back) but the Maiella looked stunning as we drove to Pescara. 17 degrees when we left the house, that's at 650m. I posted a bit of a report here http://www.abruzzolutely.com/forum/Blah.pl?m-1195157706/s-0/ last time we went. Instead of copy and pasting it just put the link on, hope that's ok. That's it for me now this year but it'd be good if yourself or Gilberts Fridge, can meet with us next winter sometime.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grimsby Ranger, Glad you had a good time, unfortunatley we will be moving back to the UK this summer, job did not turn out as well as I hoped, so wont have a chance to go next season. I am hoping to try and get one last day in Roccarasso around the 1st of April but not sure how the snow will hold up. I am hoping that after the recent falls, the temp will stay low for a while.
Take it from your avtar on the other site you are a follower of the Super Hoops, watched them regularly from 89 to 96 when we were in West London, might even get a game in when we return.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Photos from trip from 2nd to 4th March 08
A nice resort, fast lifts, no queues when we were there, Sunday to Tuesday. Popular with the Neopolitans. Snow wasn't great as rather warm, alot of rocks around so would be better with more snow and frozen snow to protect my skis! Good variety of terrain and slopes to suit all levels. One downside was there was no snowpark. Stayed away from resort 10km down the road. Resort fairly big but as it's Italy so wouldn't imagine nightlife would be kicking. Some nice mountian restaurants. Good road access from Rome on autostrada, tolls €10 each way, and then very good road to the resort that's set in a high mountain plateau.
Arrival, Gran Sasso can be seen in the distance
Getting the gear sorted at Monte Pratello
Not everyone brings there car!
Skiing down from the top of Monte Pratello, snow is soft, some small rocks about.
Same run looking up
Looking North, again Gran Sasso is visible in the distance
no off piste here! Notice the trees.
The Valleverde area, There are some steep lift accessible off-piste routes here
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Mon 24-03-08 0:02; edited 3 times in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter, Where is that place ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
johnboy, Its about 2 hours drive South East of Rome in the Appennine mountains. There are a fair few little resorts scatered around the Abruzzo and Lazio regions. Good fun if you are in the area but you need to watch the snow reports. Rocarasso is the biggest of them all with the best lift infrastructure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
johnboy, Gilberts Fridge, has answered your question. I was over in Rome for a conference and it was an add on to go there, the snow wasn't great but the day we flew home it snowed for three days! We stayed in Castel di Sangro about 10km from the lifts, this town may be known to soccer fans as there was a book written about the fortunes of the local soccer team. That book is called 'The miracle of Castel di Sangro' and is about how the town of just 5,000 got there team to Serie B.
Size wise I'd say it's on par with Livigno and there were zero queues for the three days we were there and the lifts are all decent with no slow ones like what you get in many better known resorts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Ross, Forgot to add great pics, pitty about the snow but at least it was blue skies
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Peter Ross, Gilberts Fridge,
Looks like an interesting area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
johnboy, there's a bit more info, pics etc on this thread http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=865754&highlight=roccaraso#865754
It's definitely worth going if you're in the area but as mentioned keep an eye on the snow conditions. The area usually has good snowfall each winter (except last  ) but the temperature swings can be huge, I guess due to it being further south than the Alps and close to the coast. I've still to try a small resort called Passo Lanciano, mainly due to the fact that you can see the coastline and the Adriatic Sea from the slopes. Not many places in Europe that boast that kind of view. Main Roccaraso website is www.roccaraso.net
Peter Ross, great pics. Just timed it wrong, it's hardly stopped snowing since you left. I can't get over anymore this winter so I'm missing the conditions at the minute too. Thanks for the report appreciated it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
. Well you managed to watch them for a few of the good years before the demise 
.
