A swim in the sea is refreshing on a hot summer’s day, but nothing beats the invigorating feeling of skiing in the crisp mountain air. Buy a property between the Italian coast and the ski slopes and you can enjoy summers at the beach and make revitalising trips into the mountains to totally immerse yourself in all of nature’s wonders. Here you will find flower meadows, thermal springs, waterfalls, lakes and forests. To top it all, there are the incredible snow-capped mountains.
For those who would like a property in a place where you can drive to ski slopes and a beach, we have selected four great ski areas in Italy that fit the bill. Next winter, you could be sipping your morning coffee on the seafront before heading to the mountains for a spot of skiing. Sea temperatures may be a little chilly for Speedos, but you can still enjoy water sports and coastal walks.
1. Ski on a volcano
How amazing would it be to ski down a volcano with a view of the sea? Well, on the Island of Sicily you can. Not only is Mount Etna the tallest volcano in Europe, reaching 3,403m (11,165 ft), but in winter it also hosts two ski resorts.
Located on the east coast of Sicily, in the province of Catania, Mount Etna is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Visitors are fascinated by the combination of seeing lava craters, and then skiing down cool, white snow.
Ski North Etna
To ski on the North side of Etna, you should go to the Pian Provenzana resort in Linguaglossa. Located at an altitude ranging from 1,810 to 2,336 metres, there are six slopes (two easy and four intermediate) and four ski lifts. It’s an amazing area where you can see beautiful villages, rich in history and culture, dotted around a still active volcano.
Linguaglossa village
As you stroll around the streets of the village of Linguaglossa, you will see fine Palazzo houses and historic buildings, such as the mother church of the Madonna delle Grazie, constructed using local lava stone. The village of Linguaglossa is a real gem for lovers of urban art, as around fifty eye-catching murals adorn the village walls, like an open-air art gallery.
Ski South Etna
On the south side of Etna, close to Nicolosi, you can find five ski slopes (one easy and four intermediate). There are five ski lifts that transport you to 6.3 kilometres of slopes, starting from 1,910 metres up to an altitude of 2,604 metres. The ski season potentially runs from December until May, however the best months for snow are generally February and March.
Swim in the Ionian sea
The charming village of Taormina is just thirty minutes’ drive from north Etna. Nearby, there are some great beaches, where you can swim in the sparkling blue Ionian Sea. The sea temperatures in December are between 15°C and 18°C (59°F-64°F), but in August, they can reach 26°C (79.3°F)
From Nicolosi, you can reach the seaside city of Catania, in less than an hour. Along the Catania coast there are gorgeous beaches and seaside towns. In winter, you can even pull on a wetsuit and go on a scuba diving tour with a marine biologist.
Getting to Etna, Sicily
The nearest airport to Etna is Catania (CTA) Airport, which is 26 kilometres away.
Property prices near Etna
Property buyers favour the smaller towns and villages within a reasonable drive of both the sea, city and ski slopes. A two-bedroom apartment right on the sea near Taormina can cost €360,000, while in the towns of Nicolosi and Linguaglossa on Etna, they start at around €99,000. A two-bedroom lava stone villa can cost around €300,000, but there are places needing renovation that are much cheaper.
2. Ski in Tuscany, swim in Liguria
The Lunigiana mountains of northern Tuscany represent authentic rural Italy at is most beautiful. Valleys, mountains, medieval villages, Romanesque churches and castles are all waiting to be discovered. A good example is the Brunella Fortress of Aulla, which houses a natural history museum.
Zum Zeri Ski slopes
Situated on the border between Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia-Romagna are the Zum Zeri ski slopes. At an elevation of 1,600 metres, you can even see panoramic views of the sea.
There are six ski slopes and three ski lifts at Zum Zeri, plus a 600-metre snow park for snowboarding. All levels are catered for, from a ski school for beginners to a black run for those who really want to get the adrenaline pumping. The most snowfall is in January, but the ski season generally starts around the end of December and closes by March.
Swim in the Ligurian sea
If you buy a property near the Ligurian coast between La Spezia and Levanto, you can reach the ski slopes in a little over an hour. Here you will find the famous “Cinque Terre”, composed of five beautiful villages; Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Sea temperatures in December are between 13°C and 18°C (57°F-62°F) and average 24°C (76°F) in August. Or if you prefer a warm dip, there is a hot spring at Equi Terme.
It takes less than two hours to drive from Vernazza to Zum Zeri
Image: Jerome Labouyrie via Shutterstock
Getting to Zeri
The closest airports to Zeri are Parma Airport (41.8 miles / 67.3 kilometres), Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (45.9 miles / 73.9 kilometres) and Pisa International Airport (55.9 miles / 90.0 kilometres).
Property between sea and ski
Lunigiana is one of the most affordable areas of Tuscany. While a one-bedroom apartment in one of the Ligurian coastal villages can cost from €300,000, as you venture inland and into the mountain areas, prices get significantly lower. You could find two-bedroom houses for less than the price of a small apartment by the sea.
This two-bedroom apartment in Zignago, Liguria, is only 36 minutes from Zeri and is priced at €138,000: https://www.youroverseashome.com/property-for-sale/italy/property-detail/850400/
3. From Gondolas to ski lifts
When the winter mist settles over Venice’s Grande Canal and the gondoliers are offering blankets to their passengers, minds turn to having fun in the snow. From Venice you can reach the lakes and mountains in less than an hour. First stop is Belluno town, to explore the piazzas, cathedral and civic tower, stopping for a coffee and pastry before heading up to the ski slopes.
Ski Nevegal
There are many excellent ski resorts in the province of Belluno, but Nevegal is probably the quickest to get to from the coastal towns. From the town of Belluno, it takes 20 minutes to get up to Nevegal, where you will be treated to a stunning view of the Dolomites and the surrounding countryside.
The Nevegal ski area boasts 23 kilometres of slopes for skiing and snowboarding. You will find five ski lifts to transport you to an altitude of between 1,050 and 1,675 metres. The main ski season is January and February, but there are plenty of activities to do here year-round, from rafting and canyoning in winter to hiking and horse riding in the summer. Nevegal offers breathtaking views, nature and sports, in an area of large meadows and forests.
2026 Winter Olympics
If you’d love to go to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Nevegal is only 74 kilometres from the famous Cortina d’ Ampezzo. This is where many of the 2026 winter Olympic events will take place, including alpine skiing, bobsleigh, skeleton, luge and curling.
Swim in the Adriatic
From Nevegal it is an-hour-and-20-minute drive to Venice and an-hour-and-a-half drive to Lido di Jesolo. Located on a thin strip of coastline between the Venice lagoon and the mouth of the Piave river, Jesolo boasts a busy tourist port with sandy beaches and a lively nightlife. It may be rather chilly for a swim in December, but you can find heated indoor pools in the Venice area and in Belluno. In summer it is also possible to swim in Lake Santa Croce, near Nevegal.
Getting to Nevegal
The nearest airports to Nevegal are Venice (just over an hour) and Treviso (one hour). Nevegal’s proximity to the A27 Mestre-Belluno motorway makes it ideal for weekend skiers. Plus, there is a train station at Belluno.
Property prices Belluno to Lido
A two-bedroom apartment in Belluno costs from €169,000, but near the slopes of Nevegal you can find basic holiday apartments in a block, for as little as €36,000, and apartments in a chalet style building from €75,000. A large two-bedroom chalet costs around €450,000. A two-bedroom apartment in the Lido di Jesolo area costs from €110,000 and villas from €250,000. Even luxury three-bedroom properties near the sea start at just €550,000.
4. Swim and Ski in Abruzzo
The Abruzzo region offers striking scenery, from the high peaks of the Apennines to its lush parks and long coastline. Roccaraso is located at an altitude of 1,236 metres, between the Maiella Park and the Abruzzo National Park, in the province of L’Aquila. The main ski area in Roccaraso is the Alto Sangro resort, located seven kilometres from the centre of the village.
Roccarasso is an hour and 20 minutes’ drive to Fossacasia, on the Adriatic coast
Image: Lucamato via Shutterstock
Roccaraso ski resort
Popular with both southern Italians and foreign tourists, Roccaraso is the biggest ski resort in central and southern Italy. Indeed, friends in Puglia drove there for a long weekend just so their children could see the snow and go down the toboggan runs. It is a great place for families with an ice-skating rink and ski school.
The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,309 and 2,141 metres. Both skiers and Snowboarders are catered for on over 90 kilometres of slopes, ranging from easy to difficult. There are six gondola lifts, nine chairlifts and eight J bar lifts.
For the children, there are tow ropes and a people mover. There is even a kindergarten in Monte Pratello, with sled runs, swings, inflatables and ski lessons. Here you can choose to stay with your children or leave them with a babysitter while you ski.
The Roccaraso ski runs are directly connected to the ski lifts of Rivisondoli-Monte Pratello, Pescocostanzo and Pescasseroli, with one single skipass. In general, the ski season runs from December to early April.
Swim in the Adriatic Sea
From Roccarasso it is an hour and 20 minutes’ drive to Fossacasia on the Adriatic coast and less than two hours from the Mediterranean coast above Naples. In December, the sea temperature at Fossacasia is between 12°C and 19°C (53°F-66°F). Near Naples it is between 14°C and 18°C (57°F-64°F).
Getting to Roccarasso
The nearest airports are at Pescara (an hour and a half), Naples (just over two hours) and Rome FCO (just over two and a half hours). You can also get a train from Naples (two hours).
Property prices in Abruzzo
The area between the Pescara coast and the mountains are the most convenient for the airport, the sea and getting to the ski slopes. The coastal areas and Chieti province are also considered to be of lower risk of seismic activity than in L’Aquila. Being off the main tourist trail, property prices are very reasonable. Two-bedroom apartments near the coast start at €115,000 and villas from €280,000, while two-bedroom apartments in the centre of Roccaraso cost around €200,000.
Four great Italian regions
These ski resorts are in four of Italy’s most popular regions. Veneto, Tuscany, Abruzzo and Sicily have well-known tourist towns, such as Venice, Florence, Pescara and Taormina, as well as charming villages. Their landscapes are varied, and so are the property prices. While Abruzzo and Sicily are well-known for their cheap properties, there are still parts of Tuscany and Veneto where you can pick up a bargain, particularly in the mountains and rural areas. So put on your snow boots, and head to the mountains for property with the best panoramic views in Italy.
You might also like:
- Dual seasonality: how to pick a ski property you can use all year
- Discover the unique charm of buying a ski property in the Dolomites
- Your home from home in Puglia, Italy
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