The biggest area in the Apennines south of Rome, in Abruzzo, and the main winter destination for Naples and the whole south of Italy. That gives it a completely different atmosphere from the northern resorts, louder and more social and busier at weekends.

The terrain is wide, open and mostly intermediate across a high plateau, with good beginner areas and extensive snowmaking, which matters at this latitude.

Roccaraso and Rivisondoli are working Abruzzese towns, and the food is the strong local kind that this region is known for. Prices are noticeably lower than in the Alps. The Maiella and Abruzzo national parks surround the area, with bears and wolves in them, and Sulmona down the valley is worth a visit.