Buses from Naples roll in steadily, discharging hundreds of tourists clad in vibrant ski gear into the quaint mountain city of central Italy. Every winter weekend, Roccaraso’s streets buzz with day-trippers, its modest slopes teeming with locals from Naples anticipating snowy adventures and crisp mountain air.
“We do not ski, however we’ve enjoyable with sleds. Generally I even strive with a plastic bag below my backside!” laughed Anna Lippolis, a 58-year-old hairdresser sporting a retro pink ski jacket and silver earrings. She boarded the 30-euro return bus from Naples on a latest Sunday to “get out of the home, to unwind a bit” after a demanding week.
Away from Italy’s premier locations internet hosting the Winter Olympics this month, numerous Italians embrace winter sports activities at humble spots like Roccaraso. But, the inflow of tourists has ignited friction with residents, underscoring the challenges mountain areas face in dealing with rising crowds amid shrinking pure snowfall.
Overcrowding Strains Native Sources
The only real ski slope reachable on foot from Roccaraso, at 1,200 meters elevation, stays shuttered for snowboarding and now serves as a playground for kids. Guests can experience the chairlift for panoramic views, then hike, sled, or descend through carry.
“It is my son’s first time seeing snow,” stated Raimundo Di Bello, 68, whereas ready within the half-hour line for the carry. “It is simply pretty to be within the mountains.”
A brief 10-minute drive results in Alto Sangro, a correct ski space with over 100 kilometers of runs reaching 2,100 meters, attracting 500,000 guests yearly. There, skiers typically voice frustration over day-trippers who prioritize lounging and sipping spritz cocktails amid blaring music from close by audio system.
“Individuals who do not ski come and smash the surroundings, nature, and the idea of sport right here,” stated Kikka Misso Gentile, a 41-year-old from Naples with a trip house in close by Rivisondoli.
Measures to Handle Customer Numbers
Final 12 months, the arrival of over 250 buses—carrying 12,000 to 13,000 folks in a single day—drew worldwide consideration after a social media influencer inspired Neapolitans to flock there. In response, officers capped bus entries at 50 on a latest Sunday and stationed wardens to supervise crowds.
Nicola Pitucci, a 46-year-old electrician with property in Roccaraso, famous a pointy rise in guests lately, coupled with erratic snow situations. “Everybody has the fitting to have enjoyable within the snow,” he stated, however “limiting the quantity is correct as a result of the city cannot accommodate 50,000 folks. It has no services, no infrastructure.”
Escalating Bills and Environmental Pressures
Many day-trippers clarify they skip snowboarding resulting from its excessive price—typically exceeding 200 euros per individual day by day, together with transport, leases, and passes. Whereas Italian snowboarding stays extra reasonably priced than in neighboring France or Switzerland, latest knowledge from client group Altroconsumo highlights ski move will increase of as much as 10 p.c in choose areas, making the exercise even much less accessible.
Regardless of these hurdles, the sector reveals robust endurance. Tourism analyst Laurent Vanat describes Italy’s ski trade as “very resilient,” with record-breaking seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Local weather change exacerbates points by lowering snow protection and shortening seasons throughout Europe. Over 90 p.c of Italy’s slopes depend on synthetic snow manufacturing, with Roccaraso working the nation’s largest system, as famous by environmental group Legambiente.
Diversification as a Path Ahead
“Synthetic snow is just not an answer, it is a stop-gap,” and rising temperatures will complicate its use, said Antonio Montani, president of the Italian Alpine Membership. He advocates for resorts to department out, emphasizing that lower-elevation websites like Roccaraso—preferrred for climbing and biking—maintain an edge over high-Alpine venues.
“The mountains within the Apennines are stunning, they’re nonetheless wild, and on the similar time they’re very wealthy in historical past, tradition, and artwork,” Montani added.
For thrill-seekers, Sicily provides a particular different: snowboarding on energetic Mount Etna. The volcano’s attract grows, pulling in world vacationers to its otherworldly terrain, in keeping with native information Mirto Monaco.
“Lava, snow and sea… it is a really distinctive expertise,” he stated.
