Deep in the heart of the Madonie Park, nestled between the mountain complex of Pizzo Carbonara and Monte Mufara, at about 1,600 metres lies the only ski resort in western Sicily: Piano Battaglia.
Among the first facilities built here is the Rifugio Marino, built in 1947 and owned by the Alpine Club. However, the Piano Battaglia natural reserve also became a ski resort in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to the introduction of a cable car first and two ski lifts later.
This beautiful nature reserve can also be considered the ideal starting point for countless excursions for trekking enthusiasts.
Among the best known and most popular trails are those of:
- Pizzo Carbonara;
- Monte Mufara;
- Piano Pomieri;
- Creste della Quacella;
- Piano Pomo;
- Piano Sempria.
The last two are part of a route that, once completed, leads to the Castelbuono forest: also an enchanting and fascinating territory, all waiting to be discovered.
Today, Piano Battaglia is considered to be the favourite winter holiday destination for those who live in the western part of Sicily, but not only. There are, in fact, several routes that explain how to reach this locality, even for those coming from other parts of Sicily.
As for the local vegetation, the area’s forests are dotted with hollies, beeches, holm oaks and several species of firs, the most common being the Nebrodi fir. There are also many species of flowers such as peony, orchid, wild lilies, dog rose and broom. As far as the wildlife is concerned, this one too is very varied: there are, in fact, countless examples of fallow deer, wild boar and deer, which in recent years have been repopulating the Madonie territory, as well as reptiles, birds and rodents.
In the winter season, these heights are whitened by snow. Specifically, in the December-February period, snow abounds on the peaks of these marvellous mountain locations, and it is precisely in this period that the park’s ski slopes are activated, attracting numerous tourists from all parts of Sicily every year. These offer three ski slopes that differ in difficulty and are suitable for all levels.
