Every day leading into the new ski season, we will be highlighting ski resorts from around the world! Today we start with Livigno ski resort in Italy A popular destination with avid British skiers and snowboards with so much on offer. Whilst your here make sure you check out our fantastic Livigno ski resort guide full of useful information to help you make the perfect choice for your next ski holiday! If you are eager to get away make sure you check out of Holiday Offers where you will find some of the best holidays available across the Alps and beyond!
Hidden away up in the top part of northern Italy, the lovely resort of Livigno is known locally as ‘Piccolo Tibet’ or ‘Little Tibet’, due to its remote location. It’s found close to the border with Switzerland, and made up of three hamlets; San Antonio, San Rocco and Santa Antonio which form a 4km flat valley area.
LET’S TALK SKIING IN LIVIGNO SKI RESORT
Sitting at a high altitude of 1815 metres up in the Alta Valtellina ski area, the Livigno piste map has some superb sunny and gentle slopes specifically for beginners. These are found on the edge of the town. For those confident and ready to progress, it’s well worth heading for Costaccia and the new chair at Mottolino. Here you’ll find some great and long open reds that are a massive feature of the rest of the Livigno piste; especially around Mount Sponda and Carosello 3000; the highest point of Livigno.
You can make use of your Livigno lift pass by visiting Santa Maria, the northern end of the resort, where you’ll find ski lifts and the gondola access to Costaccia. Alternatively, if you go to the eastern side of the valley you’ll reach the Mottolino area from the ski lifts in Teola.
Advanced skiers and snowboarders certainly won’t be disappointed at Livigno. You’ve got some superb steeper runs at Mount Delle Neve, plus freeriding terrain which is well worth a visit. With such a high altitude and its north-eastern aspect, this makes Mottolino a hotspot for off-piste adventures. And if you book yourself a local guide, you can make use of touring skins to explore some fantastic terrain. Mottolino is also a superb location for freestyle every Winter; with a range of features including monster jumps.
THE RESORT OF LIVIGNO
Right up on the Swiss border, with St Moritz being just over the hills, it’s a surprise that the resort of Livigno isn’t more famous. You’ll find the lively resort quite pleasant, with its main street lined by chalets. Most of these are stone built, with others being wood built. Its traffic-free centre enables visitors to shop safely, particularly with its wealth of excellent shops. A big plus of this resort is that prices are much lower than other more infamous resorts, plus it’s tax free.
STAYING IN LIVIGNO
When you’re looking at Livigno ski accommodation, you’ll find a good mix to choose from. You’ve got Livigno hotel and apartments here, plus chalet apartments, so quite a variety. Accommodation here is all of a good standard, however as the Livigno piste map is spread out with ski areas on both sides, it’s important that you find somewhere to stay that’s close to the lifts and amenities that you are planning to use. There is a free ski bus service, but it is limited and does finish early.
LIVIGNO SNOW CONDITIONS
Thanks to its high altitude, you’ll look forward to some great snow here. For Livigno weather, you can expect an average of 3.9 snow days per week throughout the season; with an average of 26.2cm of snow each week..
LIVIGNO RESORT LIFE
When you’re considering the resort of Livigno, you will need to bear in mind that the village is very long and straggling, so you will need to plan ahead, particularly if you’re partying in the evening as the ski buses do finish early. It does have an Aqua Leisure Centre found on the northern edge of the resort which is particularly good. It has lots of pools and fitness activities to try. You’ve also got a large outdoor ice rink which on the north end of the village. Alternatively, non-skiers in Livigno can also try ice climbing, ice driving and the sledging snowmobile.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT LIVIGNO?
Very much of a hidden treasure with some quiet snowsure slopes, Livigno does have a lot going for it. Making the most of its Italian heritage, you’ll be guaranteed of excellent food here. A great benefit to the resort is that it doesn’t have the much higher price tag of other bigger named resorts.
It’s more likely to be a location that suits intermediate and advanced skiers, and there are some pretty good freeride options here too. However, beginners aren’t forgotten with their own gentle slopes on the edge of the valley.
Livigno is the home to GB Park & Pipe for their training base – with its excellent park – one of the best in the whole of the Alps. Off of the slopes there are some lively Livigno bars which make for a good rest stop thanks to the affordable prices for its drinks. Non-skiers will definitely appreciate the range of activities on offer, and you’ll also have the opportunity to travel to Bornio and St Moritz for a day trip too.
THE SNOWRESORT VERDICT
Although it has some very long transfer times from the Italian airports, if you’re looking for a snowsure resort, Livigno is definitely worth considering as you’ll be guaranteed a very long season. It’s mainly above the treeline, so it has the potential to be affected by white-outs. Saying that, it’s a great location for intermediate skiers and those looking for piste skiing. It does have a few difficult pistes to be aware of. We also like Livigno as there is a great variety of activities off of the slopes, including some cross-country skiing which is well worth experiencing.
If you like the sound of Livigno do not forget to check out our fantastic La Plagne ski resort guide! If you fancy making France your next ski destination then also check out our Val Gardena & Cervinia resort guides.
