Sledging and snow with children at Piano Battaglia

Where can you go sledging?

On the Piano Battaglia plateau. The Metropolitan City of Palermo, which owns the area, lists sledging among the recreation areas of the plateau, away from the ski runs.

There is no lift: you walk up and slide down. In 2017 there was a sledging area with a magic carpet behind the Rifugio Marini, but we have found no trace of it in the operator’s notices in recent seasons.

The magic carpet for beginners

The Marmotta magic carpet is in the base area. It is for people trying skis for the first time and for activities with children.

On the 2025/26 price list it cost €15 a day and €10 for the afternoon. Reduced €10 and €5 for children up to 14.

How to avoid accidents

In the first two weekends of 2025 mountain rescue was called out 15 times at Piano Battaglia. Many cases involved sledges: an 8-year-old boy knocked over, a girl who crashed into a fence, another into a rock.

So:

• choose a clear slope, away from the runs and the road;
• look at where the slope ends: no fences, rocks or cars at the bottom;
• go down one at a time and walk back up along the edge, not in the middle;
• put a helmet on the children, even if nobody asks you to on a sledge.

Practical things

Snowy weekends are crowded: the Metropolitan City estimates up to 9,000 people a day at peak times. Getting there early means finding a parking space and snow that is still untouched.

For food there is the Ristoro Lo Scoiattolo in the middle of the plateau. To sleep nearby, see the guide to mountain huts and where to stay.