Snow safety in the Madonie: rules and avalanches

Before you leave

Three checks, the evening before.

1. Mountain weather: wind, fog and freezing level at Piano Battaglia. In January 2025 the lifts stayed closed for a day because of strong gusts, rain and fog.
2. Palermo Energia’s notices: they tell you whether the lifts are running and whether the runs are groomed.
3. The Meteomont bulletin, if you want to leave the runs: avalanche danger level and the state of the snowpack.

Then the road: winter tyres or chains on board, and an eye on road notices. It is all in the guide to getting there in winter.

On the runs

The national rules on winter sports safety apply at Piano Battaglia (Legislative Decree 40/2021):

• helmet compulsory under 18;
• third-party liability insurance compulsory for skiers; the operator must offer it with the pass to those without it, and anyone skiing without it risks a fine of €100 to €150 and having the pass withdrawn;
• no alcohol or drugs: fines go up to €1,000.

Off-piste, snowshoes and ski touring

If you leave the runs, on foot with snowshoes or on skis, you must carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe where there is avalanche risk. Having them in your rucksack is not enough: they are of little use if you can’t use them or you are alone.

Above the wood, on the climb to Pizzo Carbonara, the ground is open and in fog you can lose your bearings in minutes. If you don’t know the area, go with a guide.

Sledges: where people really get hurt

In the first two weekends of 2025 mountain rescue was called out 15 times at Piano Battaglia. Children knocked over by sledges, young people who crashed into fences and rocks, falls on icy snow.

Pick clear slopes away from the runs, look at where the run ends and put a helmet on the children. More in the guide to sledging and snow with children.

If something happens

Call 112. On the plateau, at weekends when there is snow, the Sicilian Alpine and Cave Rescue teams are on duty, under an agreement with the metropolitan civil protection, with the ASP on-call doctor and 118.

If you are off the plateau keep your phone warm: in the cold the battery drains fast.