Worldwide Ski Resorts • Italy • Livigno
Overview
Livigno is in fact three villages — Santa Maria, San Rocco and San Antonio, that have been combined to form one larger, sprawling community with San Antonio as its centre. Situated close to the Swiss border, the village enjoys ‘duty free’ status and offers plenty of cheap shopping as well as being a low cost destination in itself.
A number of lifts from the village provide easy access to the slopes and the local lift pass also covers the neighbouring resorts of Bormio and Santa Caterina that are reachable by a free transfer bus. There is a huge choice of accommodation within Livigno ranging from very comfortable, smart hotels, catered chalets and the usual selection of self catering apartments. Traditional Italian Restaurants offering superb food are common.
Profile
Standing at 1815m and with slopes going up to 2800 m, Livigno enjoys a good snow record. There are 115 km of pistes that are served by 33 generally efficient, fast lifts. The slopes do not have a very good reputation for their grooming and signposting is reportedly somewhat unreliable as is the local piste map, so getting lost is an ever present problem. On the plus side, the area provides plenty of variety for intermediates with an excellent choice of long, wide cruising runs together with some tricky reds and even some blacks that are well within the scope of the more advanced and confident intermediate.
It is also a first class location for novices with numerous sunny nurseries available and plenty of suitable progression runs to aspire to. Cross country skiers have around 40 km of marked trails at their disposal and the resort is the home of a specialist cross country school that organises regular events. Snowboarders will enjoy the long runs on the higher slopes and there is also a smallish terrain park. The only category of skier who are not best served in Livigno, are the experts who will not find much to occupy them unless they choose to explore the off piste country, although this generally requires the services of a local guide. The local ski schools are generally good and the childcare facilities are of a good standard.
Mountain Information
The slopes here are inclined to be rather bleak and there are three separate sectors widely split over the two mountains. Lift links between the Carosello and Costaccia sectors are good, but the crossing to Mottolino slopes on the opposite side of the village is tiresome. Confident intermediates will find that the black runs down from Carosello and the long reds are manageable and the less advanced should try the long red from the Valandrea Vetta chair. The slopes are generally quiet and the lifts have few serious queues. Mountain restaurants are plentiful and good.
Apres Ski
Although there are plenty of bars and clubs throughout the resort, the scene is reportedly disappointingly quiet, although it does have its moments.
Italian Resort Guide
Resort Information • Livigno
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Resort Height | 1816m |
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Top Station | 2798m |
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Bottom Station | 1816m |
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Vertical Descent | 982m |
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Drag Lifts | 17 |
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Chair Lifts | 10 |
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High Capacity | 3 |
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Opening Dates | Nov - April |
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Rating Expert | 7 |
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Rating Intermediate | 10 |
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Rating Beginner | 6 |
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Apres Ski Rating | 6 |
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Snow Reliability | 7 |
