Sassotetto ski resort (Sarnano): runs, lifts and snow

Sassotetto: runs and lifts

The Sassotetto ski area and the Santa Maria Maddalena ski area form a single resort. Its official name is Sarnano Neve, and it includes three linked locations: Sassotetto, Fonte Lardina and Santa Maria Maddalena. The lifts are a two-seat chairlift, a three-seat chairlift, four ski tows, two rope tows and a magic carpet for children. The downhill runs start from about 1,300 m. Red runs predominate, and there is also a black run, the Variante Faggeta.

On the Sassotetto side, the Sassotetto 1 and Sassotetto 2 ski tows start from 1,340 m and serve a couple of red runs. For beginners there is the Baby rope tow. In the southernmost part of the ski area is the La Faggeta ski tow, in operation since 2016.

To cross over to Santa Maria Maddalena, follow a skiway to the Santa Maria delle Nevi two-seat chairlift. On the Maddalena side the LISEB three-seat chairlift serves all the runs: the red Del Canalone and Santa Maddalena A and B, and the easier blue runs. Among the most demanding runs is the Canalone Acque Calde, a 1.4 km red run with a vertical drop of 370 m. The Canalone run starts from the summit of Sassotetto and descends to the valley on a long route that in places passes through the woods.

For snowboarders there is the Maddalena snow park, in a central position and reachable with both chairlifts. It lies at 1,550 m and is about 450 m long. It is divided into zones of different difficulty, suitable for both beginners and more experienced riders.

The snowmaking system was built in 2006 and now covers four runs. Since the 2007/2008 season night skiing has also been possible: the main run is lit. Along the runs there are huts and mountain refuges, both at Sassotetto and at Santa Maria Maddalena. Services also include rental points, ski schools and two baby runs with beginners' areas. The other ski resorts in the Sibillini Mountains of the Marche are described on a separate page.

Sassotetto: ski passes and prices

The ski area's price list includes a daily ski pass with different prices for weekdays and holidays, for adults and for children under 14. There is also a season pass. Those who use only the carpet or the rope tow in the beginners' areas have a separate rate, for the full day or for the morning or afternoon only.

Some categories have reduced rates: university students, club members, FISI and FSI members, ski coaches and instructors, Sarnano residents, over 70 and mountain rescue personnel.

All ski passes require a Key Card, which lets skiers through the turnstiles hands-free. The card is kept by the customer and can be reloaded at the ticket office at no extra cost; those without one pay a surcharge. Every skier must have third-party liability insurance: at Sassotetto it is included in the ski pass. Ski passes can be bought online or at the ski area's ticket offices.

Since the 2025-2026 season, helmets have been compulsory on the slopes in Italy at all ages. It is therefore best to have one before going up.

Sassotetto: weather and snow

The season at Sassotetto depends on snowfall and cold. There is no fixed opening date: the lifts open when there is enough snow. In recent years the start of the season has often shifted to mid-January. In 2017, for example, the Sassotetto and Maddalena lifts opened on January 26. In 2023 they opened on January 22, after heavy snowfall.

In some years the season started earlier, but only partly. In early December 2024, with 10-15 cm of snow, it was mainly the beginners' areas for novices and children that opened. The snowmaking system was ready, but lower temperatures were needed to turn it on. In some years skiing has continued until March.

Before setting out it is worth checking which lifts and runs are open on the ski area's official channels. The webcams show snow and weather on the slopes in real time.

When there is snow, the slopes of Sassotetto, the Maddalena and the Piani di Ragnolo are also good for cross-country skiing, ski touring on gentle terrain, ski mountaineering, snowshoeing and snowkiting. For Nordic skiing, loops of different lengths are groomed in winter at Acquacanina and Pian di Ragnolo.

How to get to the Sassotetto ski resort

From Sarnano drive up provincial road 120 Sarnano-Sassotetto-Bolognola, which reaches the bottom of the lifts, about 12 km from the town. The road continues toward the Bolognola ski resort at Pintura. Santa Maria Maddalena can also be reached from Fiastra.

The route to Sarnano depends on where you are coming from:

• From the Adriatic coast: A14 highway to the Civitanova Marche/Macerata exit. Then the Civitanova Marche-Foligno link road to the Macerata Ovest/Sforzacosta exit and the SS 78 to Sarnano.
• From Rome: A1 highway to the Orte exit, then toward Terni-Foligno. From Foligno take the SS 77 expressway toward Macerata for about 50 km, to the Caldarola exit, and continue to Sarnano.
• From Florence: Val di Chiana exit and the Bettolle-Perugia link road. At Collestrada take the SS 75 for Foligno, then continue as from Rome.
• By plane: from the Ancona-Falconara and Pescara airports take the A14 to the Civitanova Marche/Macerata exit.
• By train: the nearest station is Tolentino, about 26 km from Sarnano. From there continue by bus.

In winter the provincial road is cleared regularly and must be driven with snow tires or chains. After the earthquake, Anas and the Province made the SP 120 between Sarnano and Bolognola safe. The 3.6 million euro work includes a new rockfall tunnel and avalanche barriers, and the road has reopened.

On the busiest days, cars parked badly along the 120, especially between Pintura di Bolognola and Santa Maria Maddalena, obstruct two-way traffic. For this reason there are checks, fines and towing of illegally parked cars. The parking areas indicated by Sarnano are at Fonte Lardina, Santa Maria Maddalena and Sassotetto. A shuttle service from the parking areas to the slopes has also been announced.