Winter excursions on Mount Etna: between lava and snow
Do you want to discover the volcano Etna and its territory in winter? Here are the excursions you can do in winter. Keep in mind that there is snow on Mount Etna in winter time. If there is enough snow, the ski facilities in Piano Provenzana open, so Etna Nord becomes a unique place. You can ski on lava, with sea view! Do you want to know the weather? Check here our snow report!
1. Skiing on Etna
If there is enough snow at Piano Provenzana (altitude 1800m.), the ski lifts are open. There are 6 ski slopes that give you an amazing sea view. If you don’t know how to ski, you can take a ski/snowboard instructor for a lesson. Children can have fun in the snow by renting a sledge. The ski pass costs € 35,00 per person and you can only buy it directly at the ticket office.
2. Snowshoeing at the craters of 2002
Do you like trekking? Then you have to try this experience on our volcano Etna. During this trekking of about 2,5 hours, you will arrive up to 2500 meters at the edge of the craters of 2002. If there is snow, the trekking is done with snowshoes. Snowshoe rental costs €10.00 per person. The hike to the 2002 craters costs € 30,00 per person.
The hike is possible every day, but only by reservation! Read more about this hike here:
3. Horse riding Etna of 1.5 hours
This excursion starts from Linguaglossa, at the foot of Mount Etna. During the excursion you go in the direction of the mountains above the Alcantara Valley. You’ll have a beautiful view on Mount Etna from distance during your horse riding excursion. This is an excursion that makes you experience the territory of Mount Etna and enjoy a relaxing moment on a horse in Sicily.
4. Cable car + Snowcat 2900 m. (Etna South)
Do you want to get on Mount Etna as high as possible? Then you must go to Etna Sud. Here you take the cable car up to 2500 meters. Then take the Snowcat up to an altitude of 2900 meters where you will do a little trekking (20 minutes) to a beautiful viewpoint on the Valle del Bove and old craters, accompanied by a volcanological guide. The excursion takes about 2 hours and costs € 95,00 per person.
5. Sledging in the snow
Guaranteed fun with sledging! At the souvenir stores at Piano Provenzana, you can rent sledges for a great day of sledging in the snow. Outside of the ski slopes, there is plenty of space where you can play and slide with your sledge. Rental costs € 10,00 for 1 day, or you can buy a sledge for only € 25,00.
6. Etna Winter hike up to 3000m – Etna South
You have hiking experience and you want to climb Mount Etna in winter? This is the perfect excursion for you! The the Etna Winter hik up to 3000m you will take first the Etna Cable Car up to 2500m and then go by foot up to almost 3000m! The hike takes around 5 hours and costs € 100,00 per person.
7. Etna quad tour of 2 hours
Looking for a combination of adventure and exploration? This quad tour takes around 2 hours and starts from Rifugio Sapienza – Etna South. You will drive through an old lava flow, see ancient craters from distance and visit a lava cave. The quad tour costs € 100,00 per quad and there can go 2 people on 1 quad.
8. Etna Donkey riding or trekking for 1 or 2 hours
Want to forget the stress and hustle and bustle of the city? The donkey is the ideal companion for an excursion with children! During the Etna Donkey trekking you will unplug and enjoy nature. It is possible to ride the donkey, or to walk with the donkey. The price starts from € 20,00 per child for 1 hour donkey riding.
9. Etna quad tour from Alcantara river of 5 hours
This quadtour gets you from the Alcantara river up to Mount Etna – Piano Provenzana at 1800 meters. In 5 hours you will drive trough the Ragabo Forest, visit a lava cave and see different old lava flows. Choose adrenaline and explore Mount Etna by quad! The quad tour costs € 150,00 per quad and there can go 2 people on 1 quad.
Looking for other excursions? Take a look at our Etna excursion page, with all our excursions around Mount Etna. Just remember, to experience Mount Etna, you should visit her in summer and winter!