| The Italian Alps are well known for skiing and | | | | (everyone had been evacuated). However, the |
| offers dozens of mountain resorts, from the duty | | | | Sicilians have become accustomed to living in the |
| free zone of Livigno, to the glitzy Cervinia. | | | | shadow of the volcano, and have always rebuilt |
| However, what many people don't realise is that | | | | what the lava has destroyed. |
| it's possible to ski on Mount Etna in Sicily - Italy's | | | | Skiers and snowboarder describe the Etna |
| mafia soaked Mediterranean Island, which lies off | | | | experience as like nothing else in the Alpine world: |
| the south coast of the country. | | | | "It's an amazing place to ski - on a clear day you |
| Mount Etna is the largest and highest volcano in | | | | can see the sea, and at the same time you have |
| Europe, and one of the most active volcanoes in | | | | a plume of gas and steam constantly rising from |
| the world; and is in a state of almost continuous | | | | the summit". |
| state of eruption. Sicily was chosen by the Gods | | | | There are two ski areas on Etna; the southern |
| of Olympus as the scene for their sagas of love | | | | slope is Rifugio Sapienza and the northern resort |
| and war, passion and revenge, and it was Mount | | | | is Linguaglossa. As with any other ski holiday in |
| Etna - the realm of Vulcan, god of fire - that was | | | | Italy, hotels, instruction and ski rental is available in |
| the home of the one-eyed monster known as | | | | both resorts. The snow also provides ample |
| the Cyclops; today it's still a land of fire and latent | | | | opportunity for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, |
| wrath. | | | | and snowboarding. |
| Building a ski area on an active volcano is not | | | | Despite Etna's southerly latitude in the warm seas |
| without its difficulties; continuous eruptions and | | | | of the Mediterranean, the 3350m elevation means |
| lava flows have repeatedly damaged or | | | | that in winter it receives deep snows, even down |
| destroyed various lifts systems in the past. In | | | | to the lower altitudes of 1800m. The area also |
| October 2002, rivers of boiling lava poured down | | | | offers plenty of warm Sicilian hospitality and |
| from Mount Etna's crater, engulfing small buildings, | | | | wonderful authentic cuisine. |
| incinerating pine trees, pushing over ski lift pylons, | | | | If you're looking for a ski trip in the danger zone, |
| knocking down power lines and swallowing a ski | | | | Italy's smouldering Etna should definitely be on |
| school hut before surrounding an empty mountain | | | | your list. Just watch out for the lava. |