With slopes surrounded by stunning unspoilt scenery, the Emilia-Romagna Apennines manages to amaze even the most hard-core fans of cross-country skiing. From Piacenza to Romagna, there are many ski resorts equipped with loops and trails for cross-country skiers.
Among the best known is Piane di Mocogno, on the Modenese Apennines, whose crown jewel is the Piana Amorotti Centre for Cross-Country Skiing. With nine loop trails covering over 50 km of slopes with an average width of 9 metres, this centre is a must for lovers of cross-country skiing, whether you are a beginner or an expert. The slopes are groomed for both classic and skate skiing.
Another must-see destination for cross-country skiers is Pratizzano, in the mountains of Reggio Emilia. Here you will find a total of 18 km of cross-country trails, divided into 3 circuits of different levels of difficulty, which lead you through the enchanting beech forests of the Tuscan-Emilian National Park.
In the province of Reggio Emilia, there are also the two loop trails of the Cerreto Laghi resort, of increasing difficulty, totalling about 6 km in length, which wind through the area near Lake Pranda.
Then, more than 40 km of trails are waiting for cross-country skiers at the Prati di San Geminiano Boscoreale Cross-Country Skiing Centre, near Piandelagotti. This resort in the Modenese Apennines offers a ski school slope and trails suitable for each level, for both freestyle and classic skiing.
In Campigna, a resort located an hour-and-a-half drive from Forlì, cross-country skiing can be done on two loop trails, one of which is 5 kilometres long with two levels of difficulty, and the other, shorter, at 3 kilometres, which is also suitable for beginners.
Campigna is the ideal place for newbies, who can take one of the organised courses or simply walk with their skis through the dense beech forest.
The Rimini hinterland also offers some interesting opportunities for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. The ski resort of Villagrande di Montecopiolo features a snow groomer, while the nearby Eremo di Carpegna has two trails.
To complete the picture, we must not forget: the two loop trails at Corno alle Scale in the province of Bologna, one for experts, the other also suitable for beginners; the 10-kilometre track at Le Vallette-Ceci, not far from the Passo Penice ski resort (Piacenza) and Schia’s cross-country ski loop (Parma).
