Andy Devaney
Picciolo Etna Resort has thrown open its doors for winter, and if ever there was a season to see Sicily’s restless giant in full regalia, it’s now. The Picciolo Etna Resort sits on the flank of Mount Etna at the very moment the volcano switches into its snow-dusted, storybook mode — white peaks above, green fairways below, and the kind of crisp air that wakes you up faster than a double espresso in Catania.
Winter up here isn’t some sleepy afterthought. It’s a rare two-sport special where you can ski at Piano Provenzana — a mere 30-minute jaunt — and then wander back down the mountain to take on Sicily’s first 18-hole golf course. Those who prefer a slower pace can strap on snowshoes, join a guided trek, and explore Etna’s lunar-meets-alpine terrain without breaking into a sprint.
This year marks the resort’s first full winter after several seasons of closure. A hefty renovation, along with its recent debut within Hilton’s Curio Collection, has revived the estate with fresh polish and a calmer, more intimate feel. Taormina’s festive bustle is just down the road, adding a welcome dash of culture and Christmas sparkle for guests who want more than a spa robe and a glass of Nero d’Avola.
The resort has rolled out a set of winter packages, including a 15% discount on stays — a solid nudge for anyone who’s been dithering. Visitors can make use of the revamped spa, heated indoor pool and seasonal menus built around local produce. Out on the fairways, you get sweeping views of Etna’s snow-capped crest, which is as good a reason as any to forget the scorecard and enjoy the view.
New Year’s Eve is shaping up to be a full-throttle affair. From €315 per person, guests can settle in for a gala dinner, live music, spa access and a firework finale erupting above the volcano itself. Book direct and you’re in.
Golfers have been handed their own winter sweetener: a dedicated package covering three nights’ accommodation, breakfast, dinner, spa access and a green fee. Prices start from €131 per person per night for a seven-night stay on a bed-and-breakfast basis, or €167 for half board. If the golf swing deserts you, at least the food won’t.
Reopened in May after a complete refurbishment, Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & SPA now offers 100 rooms and suites inside its historic manor house. Many enjoy views of vineyards, thick woodland and Etna dominating the skyline like a moody stage actor. Il Palmento handles the relaxed daytime bites, while La Ghiandaia takes evening service into Sicilian-inspired territory.
The resort’s owners — Mario Paoluzi and Andrea and Francesco Scrofani — put it plainly: “Welcoming guests again in winter marks an important new stage for us. Etna in this season is powerful and peaceful at the same time. To ski with a sea view, to walk across volcanic snow, then return to play golf or enjoy the spa, is an experience that feels truly Sicilian and very special. We are delighted to offer our guests a new way to enjoy the mountain.”
That “truly Sicilian” feeling doesn’t stop at the property line. Beyond the resort, visitors can roam Etna’s wine country, wander medieval hill towns or retrace film locations stamped into pop culture by The Godfather and White Lotus.
And as part of Hilton, guests at Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & SPA can tap into Hilton Honors perks — from discounted rates to Digital Key check-in — which makes slipping into this winter hideaway even easier.
If there was ever a moment to see Sicily stripped back, sharpened by cold air and crowned in snow, it’s now. And Picciolo Etna Resort is betting big that winter on Etna is about to become a habit, not a novelty.
