Excursions to do in winter on Mount Etna

This year as well, thanks to the collaboration with the Ski Instructors of the Linguaglossa Ski School, the Alpine and Volcanological Guides are organizing ski mountaineering, trekking, and snowshoeing tours scheduled for the months of December, January, February, and March.

What to expect:

Unique landscapes of their kind
Contrast between white snow and dark volcanic rock
Forests, lava flows, fractures, and side Craters
Views of the sea and Etna's Summit Craters
A regenerating experience

Important Notice

Given the presence of explosive activity, which can be extremely dangerous for anyone near the summit area, Civil Protection has issued an Ordinance prohibiting accompanying the public to the summit. We must necessarily stop at an altitude of 2850 m on Etna North and 2750 m on Etna South. Given the current situation of the volcano and the rules to follow, under our responsibility (when the volcano is in a calm state), we reach an altitude of 3000 m starting from Etna South or from the North using ski mountaineering skis due to greater snow cover.

Excursions can therefore be carried out at the altitudes written above (in compliance with ordinances and rules in force for access to the Etna summit area); it must also be considered that currently, the volcano is covered with snow starting from 1500 meters, which necessarily implies the use of equipment during our excursions such as: snowshoes, ski mountaineering skis, or crampons for activities above 2200 m due to the certain presence of ice.

This equipment, with the exception of crampons, can be rented on-site, especially at the Piano Provenzana tourist station on Etna North, at a cost varying from 12 euros per person for snowshoes and 40 euros per person for ski mountaineering equipment.

Activities to do

1) Excursion to Etna South up to 3000 meters

Departure is scheduled upon reaching a minimum of 6 participants. Feasible if the volcano is in calm conditions.

The excursion starts from the Esagonal bar at 1,900 meters altitude. After making the payment and purchasing the round-trip tickets together with your guide, you will take the cable car up to 2,500 meters. Here your uphill trek will begin for 500 meters of positive elevation gain, among recent lava flows covered in snow, large craters, lava flow channels, and hot fumaroles with high-temperature gas emissions, up to 3000 meters, at the base of the South-East Crater. The descent from 3000 m is planned on foot down to the cable car.

Meeting point: 8:30 AM, parking lot in front of Esagonal bar.

View on Google Maps

Excursion Cost 50€ (CABLE CAR TICKET EXCLUDED!)

✅ Included:

Volcanological Guide, Poles, Helmets, Insurance, Trekking shoes, Extra backpack, Extra socks, Winter jacket.

❌ Excluded (to be paid on site):

Cable Car Tickets (52€), Snowshoe rental (15€), Water, Ski suit, After-ski boots, Snacks, Rain jacket (K-way), Parking.

Duration 5 hours

Distance 6.5 km (Round Trip)

Elevation Gain 500 m +

Difficulty E (Hikers)

2) Excursion to the 2002 Craters

Also suitable for children.

The route starts from Piano Provenzana, climbing from 1800 meters up to 2200 meters. It has a total duration of 3 hours, with a total of 400 meters of positive elevation gain, for a route of 5 km (round trip).

Adults 30€

Children (<12) 25€

+ possible 12€/person for snowshoes and trekking poles rental.

✅ Included:

Volcanological Guide, Insurance, Trekking shoes, Trekking poles, Extra backpack, Winter jacket.

❌ Excluded:

Snowshoe rental (12€), Water, Ski suit, After-ski boots, Rain jacket, Parking.

Meeting Point

9:00 AM at KIOSCO BAR MARENEVE by Ferraro Giuseppa.

Google Map

Please note: The time may be moved up to 8:45/9:00 AM to ensure parking availability given the mass of arriving skiers.

3) Ski Mountaineering Tour

For mountaineers or those familiar with ski mountaineering practice.

If you want to discover the volcano in winter alone, without other people, the private guide will be just for you. The guide will take you to high altitude to discover the spectacle of craters and snowy slopes of the volcano with unique ski mountaineering tours.

Private Guide Costs

Price on request

Contact us for a personalized quote

Feasible if the volcano and weather conditions are adequate.

Equipment Rental

Available for rent on site at Piano Provenzana.

Helmet + boots + skis + skins + poles: € 40 per person (paid by the client).

Booking the Guide requires advance payment.

Useful Information

Clothing

Layers, thermal shirt, fleece/down jacket, windbreaker, (better if wearing a ski suit), gloves, and hat.

Mandatory equipment:

Trekking shoes or after-ski boots.

Extra Costs

40€ ski mountaineering equipment rental
12€ snowshoe and pole rental

Road Safety

We recommend arriving at the starting points equipped with winter tires or snow chains ⛓ on board (in case of need), which are mandatory in the winter months to drive up the volcano.

In case of adverse weather conditions, we will take care to notify you in order to communicate the cancellation or postponement of your excursion to the first available date.

No advance payment is required; you will pay for our service directly on site to the Alpine or Volcanological Guide who will be with you (except for the private ski mountaineering guide).

How to book?

To book, you can reply via email or send a message on WhatsApp providing: name, surname, actual date of the excursion, number of participants, and reference mobile number.

Email WhatsApp +39 345 5741330

WhatsApp active every day from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM.

Article written by : Vincenzo Greco G.V.

What to do on Etna in winter?

What to expect:

Important Notice

Activities to do

1) Excursion to Etna South up to 3000 meters

2) Excursion to the 2002 Craters

Meeting Point

3) Ski Mountaineering Tour

Private Guide Costs

Equipment Rental

Useful Information

Clothing

Extra Costs

Road Safety

How to book?

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Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord

Via Viola,1 – 95015 Linguaglossa (CT)

Soc. Coop. – P.Iva e C.F. : 05583690879

Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord ® – © – All Rights Reserved

Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord

Via Viola,1 – 95015 Linguaglossa (CT)

Soc. Coop. – P.Iva e C.F. : 05583690879

Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord ® – © – All Rights Reserved