Guided ski touring on Mount Etna
One of the IFMGA-certified guides in the Peakshunter team will take you on this extraordinary ski touring adventure in Mont Etna (Italy), the highest active volcano in Europe.
3 Days
Jan - Mar
Description
Join me in this unique adventure in Mount Etna, in Sicily, Italy. Mount Etna rises to 3350 meters. In fact, it's the highest active volcano in Europe!
A different experience from the one you can have at the classic ski touring destinations. A grandiose panorama of white slopes that contrast with black lava and the blue sea below. Dedicated to those who want to live an unforgettable weekend in an unusual environment. All while enjoying the scents and flavours of the superb island.
The descent of this singular mount skiing is an amazing experience. The snow is very special: in fact, it's sometimes covered by a thin layer of ash. Moreover, the views of the deep blue sea in the distance are amazing. The snow slopes alternate with black lava rocks creating striking contrasts.
Indeed, thanks to its unique conical shape, Etna offers numerous ski touring alternatives on all sides.
We can reach the 4 summit craters of the volcano (over 3300 m) using skins and crampons in about 3 hours. Of course, this is if the weather and volcanic conditions are favorable. Besides, we can use the cable car up to 2500 m if we want to reduce the ascent time.
In general, the ascents ski touring don't have particular technical difficulties. Only a few brief parts may require using crampons or knives. The alternative itinerary on day 2 including the south-north crossing is a bit more challenging.
Did you find this tour in Mount Etna tempting? Then please contact me so we can set a date and leave together. I would love guiding you ski touring in this unique volcano. Italy is a great ski destination. Another trip that I really like is Backcountry skiing in the Aosta valley.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
Price details
- The price doesn't include: (1) Research and rescue insurance (recommended): €5 per person for 3 days (2) Lift tickets (3) Return flight to Catania (4) Minivan related expenses (fuel) (the rental is included) (5) Meals, drinks, and other expenses not specified above (6) Surcharge for single room in the hotel or B&B (7) The guide’s expenses (lifts and meals) (8) Personal equipment (ARTVA, Shovel, probe and crampons): €40/day per person (9) Personal travel Insurance which must cover trip cancellation, early return, assistance during the trip, baggage loss, etc. (10) Anything else not listed in "Price includes"
Itinerary
Day 1: Montagnola
From Milan, Turin, Verona or another airport you can fly to Catania.
We meet at the airport and transfer to Nicolosi, on the south side of the volcano, where we go to the B&B or refuge (mini van for 7-9 people).
Depending on the arrival time or the flights and the weather conditions, we can do a short excursion to Montagnola (2700 m), starting from Rifugio Sapienza (1910 m) and visit the famous Crateri Silvestri (south side).
After stopping at the Rifugio Monte Scavo, we return to the B&B or refuge for dinner and overnight.
D +250m
Duration: 2hs (using the lifts)
Day 2: Piano del Lago - Torre del Filosofo
Starting from Rifugio Sapienza (1910 m), we go up the lava slopes next to the ski slopes using the cable car, up to the mountain station (2504 m).
We continue to the right leaving the new craters of 2001 and 2002 (the area called the Piano del Lago). Passing by the Torre del Filosofo, we reach the edge of the southeast crater (3250 m). From there it’s a short climb to the saddle between the central and northeastern crater (3350 m).
We use the same route to descend and return to the accommodation.
D +850m
Duration 5hs
Alternative plan: great crossing of Etna from South to North
(Altitude change 1400m, duration 7hs)
After reaching the northeast crater, we go down along the cresta della Valle del Leone/Bove. We can enjoy the wonderful panorama, Taormina on the Peloritani mountains and the Strait of Messina. We descend towards the Volcanological Observatory.
Day 3: Pizzi Deneri - Piano delle Concazze, Gorges della Quarantore
We transfer to Linguaglossa on the north side of the volcano. A beautiful scenic trip along the southeastern shoulder of Pizzi Deneri (2847 m), an excellent vantage point over the Valle del Leone / Bove and the craters of the summit.
From Piano Provenzana – Monte Conca we go to the craters, then go to the Piano delle Concazze towards the Volcanological Observatory. From there we can admire the magnificent panorama over eastern Sicily, the Ionian Sea and even Calabria.
Descent to the fantastic gorge della Quarantore and return from the ski resort to Piano Provenzana.
Transfer to Catania airport.
D +1000m
Duration 6hs
Alternative plan: visit to the Grotta del Gelo
(Altitude change 1200m, duration 6hs)
We climb to Monte Pizzillo (1400 m), where you can visit the “hornitos”, mini craters from 1947. Through several lava flows we reach the Grotta del Gelo: a lava cave located at 2100 m on the northern slope of Etna, famous for having the southernmost glacier in Europe. The best time to visit is spring, when the outside snow melts, allowing access to the cave and the stunning ice structures whithin it.
Details
More info
Equipment: AVD, shovel, probe, personal hygiene kit, energy bars or dried fruit, 1l water bottle or thermos, sunscreen and lip balm with sun protection, first aid kit, headlamp (with spare batteries), camera, duct tape, sealskins, axe, ski knives, crampons with anti-balling, alpine ski boots, touring skis and poles, 30/40l backpack.
Clothing: wool cap or hat, buff, 2 pairs ski socks, fiber turtleneck, waterproof jacket, ski gloves, light gloves, windstopper, ski mask, sunglasses for glacier-high mountain, ski pants, duvet (optional), waterproof pants, underpants or tights, breathable tshirts.
Not included, here is an estimation : Price for each, ski equipment rental, 150 € for 3 days, 2 nights in b&b 80/120€, car rent 100/200€, my extra fees (transfer and accommodation) 350/500€.
Meeting point
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About the guide
PeaksHunter
4.7
(237)
Mountain Guide
Founded in 2013 by Elis and Silvia, PEAKSHUNTER is a team of IFMGA-certified mountain guides.
Although we all have different backgrounds and experiences, we share the same goals and projects and, more than anything, love our job and share a deep passion for the mountains.
Professionalism and safety are our core values because we love our job and we are passionate about Mountain and Nature.
We are enthusiastic to share new adventures and guarantee the most memorable emotions to all our clients.
If you are interested in experience the beauty of Nature and the power of the Mountains, Peakshunter Mountain Guides will be happy to guide you! We want to provide you with intense emotions and want to be there to share them with you. We feel we've done our job when there are big, cheesy smiles on everybody's faces at the end of the day.
We want to build a strong, long-lasting relationship with our clients, based on the respect we feel for everyone who joins us in the exploration of this striking vertical world.
Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Monterosa, Dufourspitze and Margherita Hut, Gran Paradiso, Breithorn, Castor and Pollux are only a few of several 4000 Alps summits next to the area we live and work: the beautiful little Aosta Valley region, close to French and Swiss borders and not far from Geneva, Milan and Turin international airports.
Realize your dreams, discovering breathtaking views or simply living an extraordinary day: you just need to use your imagination and we will realize your trip as you desire to live it!
Peakshunter Mountain Guides team will be happy to guide you, sharing adventures and being you companions, personal trainers, consultants and expertise supporters for all you need in planning the next Mountain dream!
Languages
Italian | French | English
Certificates
IFMGA
What people are saying about Explore-Share
Man
Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!
Maxine
Luis Silva was a great climbing guide and belayer! He taught me how to do moves that were difficult and encouraged me to try routes that were challenging for me! Because of his encouragement, I managed to complete these routes! I really enjoyed the climbs and completed 8 routes in the Sesimbra/Azoia area. The weather was perfect, no direct sun and cool enough to enjoy the climbs. Explore-Share made booking an outdoor climbing experience in Lisbon extremely easy. Luis, our guide, was fantastic, and the platform’s organization was flawless.
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We had Léo as a guide for our day climb in Fonty. We were blessed with a knowledgeable, warm, and instructive guide. Communication with Léo and Ivan was smooth and swift. Explore-Share was excellent in arranging everything for our day climb. The communication was quick, and the platform was easy to use, making our adventure stress-free.
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Patrick was a great guide. He took us on an intermediate Via Ferrata at Passo Sella. Renato was quick to respond with any outreach on the Explore-Share platform. The booking process was straightforward, and once Patrick was confirmed, all went well. It was a wonderful experience, and I’d highly recommend the platform.
4.8
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