This area is Tuscany’s white rooftop terrace, a popular destination for ski enthusiasts and many others, and it’s only a couple of hours’ drive from The Mall Firenze.

Our day begins in Abetone, with a delicious breakfast at La Casina (it’s great for lunch too). Having bought our skipass and checked the status of the ski lifts and pistes, we take the two-seater chairlift just outside the restaurant (the first ski lift built in this area) up the mountain to Le Regine, or the nearby Ovovia (15 minutes’ walk away) to the three Zeno pistes (one blue, one red and the only black run in the area), designed by legendary local skier Zeno Colò. From the top, the entire area is within reach by ski or snowboard: 28 pistes covering some 50 kilometres, suitable for anyone, from beginners to experts.

For lunch we can choose Rifugio Abetone Selletta, Baita Pulicchio or, on the Val di Luce side, Rifugio Le Rocce (which is accessible by car, and another classic entry point to the area) or Rifugio Le Terrazze.

If that’s your preference, there are plenty of pistes for cross-country skiing: a circular route of approximately 8 km in Abetone, another in Val di Luce and another around the Maresca forest; and wonderful trails for snowshoes, especially in Abetone: the Anello del Doni (1 hour 30 minutes, around the village), Lago Nero (1 hour 30 minutes, with some more technical sections), Anello del Maiori (2 hours) and Abetone – Verginetta – Boscolungo (2 hours 30 minutes).

When the lifts close, it’s time to return to our starting point for an aperitif at Bar Lupo Bianco, which later turns into a nightclub for those who still have the energy.

Last but not least, we conclude our day with beauty and relaxation at Val di Luce Resort, with its iconic glass pyramid and its fabulous spa, open to non-residents.