Beautiful Livigno is a must-see winter sports destination. A remote village tucked deep within the Italian Alps, this skiing paradise offers endless slopes, exciting activities and tax-free shopping. Without further ado, here are 10 reasons why you should book your next ski holiday in Livigno!
And by Italy, we don't just mean South Tyrol, but real Italy (Lombardy) where people speak Italian, dress like Italians and generally behave like Italians. This charming atmosphere already draws hordes of tourists in summer, but Livigno is an equally magical place in winter.
Italy sounds far, but it's actually not that much of a trek. When traffic is light, it's a short two-and-a-half hour drive from Innsbruck. Compared to your average Austrian ski resort, this is only about an hour further.
Livigno is sometimes referred to as "Little Tibet" due to its high-altitude, isolated location. To help entice visitors to make the trip, Livigno did away with taxes long ago. Today, you can still buy tax-free designer clothing and electronics when you're not rippin' it up on the slopes.
Livigno has a ski area on either side of the village: the Carossello 3000 and Mottolin/Monte della Neve. Each ski area is managed by a different company, which means that each has its own character and a healthy variety of pistes. The same ski pass will get you entry to both ski areas, and a free ski shuttle runs through the village centre, bringing skiers and snowboarders up the hill to explore more than 100 kilometres of pistes.
Historically, it was strictly forbidden to venture off-piste in Italy. However, efforts have been made and today's freeriders have special ungroomed terrain at their disposition, indicated by large signs. The "Freeride Project" in Livigno provides a daily avalanche message, heliskiing and special areas for freeriders, ski tourers and snowshoers.
Livigno is a family-friendly ski resort and offers many discounts for families. From April 13 until May 3, 2020, ski passes are free when booking accommodation for at least 4 nights! And from January 25 through February 1st, and March 28 through April 4, families come first. One child up to 12 years old gets a free night in the hotel (15% discount on apartments), while other children in the same family receive a 50% discount. Throughout the season, children pay 50% of the adult price on lift passes.
When you think of holidays in Italy, one of the first things that comes to mind is the food - and with good reason! The mountain restaurants in Austria offer just a few key dishes, but Livigno has a full offering of regional dishes and Italian classics that will have your mouth watering. New this season is the "Tas't" project, which aims to introduce holidaymakers to local flavours. Participating hotels will set up a "Livigno Breakfast Corner" and restaurants feature local desserts, bread, meat and dairy.
Welcome to Italy, where après-ski is a classy affair! Livigno even has its own brewery, where you can try the highest brewed beer in Europe. As the evening wears on, several bars and clubs keep the party going into the wee hours. Our favourite is Marco's pub, where you can almost always count on live music. If your idea of après-ski tends more towards wellness and relaxation, the Aquagranda Active You is the place to be.
It's easy to see the influence of the Swiss Alps in Livigno. The elongated village consists mostly of chalets, and you won't find any ugly highrises here. This makes it a very charming town, as you rarely find in towns this size.
It's impossible to be bored in Livigno. For several years now, the ski resort has been expanding its focus to incorporate winter sports in the broadest sense of the word. Today, Livigno has developed into a modern winter sports destination on par with other leading destinations in Europe. In addition to skiing, other winter activities include cross-country skiing, tobogganing and fatbiking. From large to small, there is something for everyone! At 1816 metres above sea level, Livigno is also frequently visited by top athletes who wish to acclimatise themselves. Livigno is set to host the freestyle events (half pipe, ski cross and aerials) on the slopes of Mottolino, Carosello 3000 and Sitas at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
