Day ski trip Florence to Abetone

[Drmskier]

As a solo skier who will be in Florence in mid-December. What’s the best way to take a day ski trip in Abetone? I’ve looked at some companies that do coach trips with ski pass included but these don’t seem to be on sale anymore.
How easy is it to train/bus on your own? Are there any recommendations for ski hire too? What is the general cost for ski hire?
Many thanks

 

[Lourdes]

Ciao!!

If the group coach trips for December are all booked up, then yes, the only option is to head there on your own. It isn't super difficult but it does take longer with train+bus or even 2 buses to get there. About 3-4 hours total, as opposed to about 2 hours by car.

You can take train from Florence to Pistoia and then from Pistoia take bus #54 to Abetone.
You can check train schedules on Trenitalia here: https://www.trenitalia.com/it.html
You will have to go to the AT Bus website and download the PDF file with the timetable here: https://www.at-bus.it/it/linee-e-orari/pistoia-extraurbano-54

To make it a whole day trip, you'll need to be in Pistoia to catch either the 6.41am bus or the 8.11am bus (gets to Abetone by 8.30am and 10am, respectively) on weekdays and Saturday - don't try to go on a Sunday as the hours are more limited.

The last buses from Abetone are at 5.15pm and 7.15pm, and take about 2 hours to get back to Pistoia.

Hope this is useful, let me know if I can offer any more assistance.

Editing to add: not sure if it's really an option because not sure of cost, but you could theoretically take a taxi from Pistoia to Abetone rather than the bus, it would cut the time for sure.

Or rent a car for the day?

 

[Drmskier]

Ciao!!

If the group coach trips for December are all booked up, then yes, the only option is to head there on your own. It isn't super difficult but it does take longer with train+bus or even 2 buses to get there. About 3-4 hours total, as opposed to about 2 hours by car.

You can take train from Florence to Pistoia and then from Pistoia take bus #54 to Abetone.
You can check train schedules on Trenitalia here: https://www.trenitalia.com/it.html
You will have to go to the AT Bus website and download the PDF file with the timetable here: https://www.at-bus.it/it/linee-e-orari/pistoia-extraurbano-54

To make it a whole day trip, you'll need to be in Pistoia to catch either the 6.41am bus or the 8.11am bus (gets to Abetone by 8.30am and 10am, respectively) on weekdays and Saturday - don't try to go on a Sunday as the hours are more limited.

The last buses from Abetone are at 5.15pm and 7.15pm, and take about 2 hours to get back to Pistoia.

Hope this is useful, let me know if I can offer any more assistance.

Editing to add: not sure if it's really an option because not sure of cost, but you could theoretically take a taxi from Pistoia to Abetone rather than the bus, it would cut the time for sure.

Or rent a car for the day?

This is super helpful thank you!
If I was to book a taxi from Pistoia, is there a taxi company you would recommend?
Otherwise if I rent a car from Florence, do you have a recommendation on rental company? And also where to park in Abetone?
Gracie