5 great things about Livigno
Livigno is a lively Italian resort offering 185km of slopes for all levels, more than 30 modern lifts, and two top snow parks. The ski area hosts high-level sports competitions, which attract famous athletes from around the world. Here are five things you may not know about Livigno . . .
1. Awesome Freeriding
Freeriders have many opportunities to satisfy their thirst for freedom and powder in Livigno. In 2013, the Freeride Project was launched which consisted of a series of initiatives – the first of which was a local avalanche bulletin to promote safety off-piste. There are designated freerider routes marked by entry gates on the Mottolino side of the valley.
2. Fat Biking
“Fat biking” – bikes with wide, low-pressure tyres ideal for cruising across the snow – is a growing trend that has been embraced in this popular holiday resort. Livigno jumped on the fat bike train quite early and has now reacted to the high consumer demand. Every year more bikers travel to the Italian resort for a winter shred. Livigno now offers dedicated routes in the woods of Valandrea and Val Federia as well as 20km of new trails for fat biking during wintertime.
3. Duty-Free Shopping
The village lies in a wild and secluded valley at 1,800m. Its duty-free status is directly related to its isolated position: until 1952, when the pass Foscagno (linking Bormio to Livigno) was opened to traffic in winter, the village remained inaccessible for many months a year.
The village was built along the Spöl stream and is dotted with numerous shops and mini markets – more than 250! The town calls it ‘an outside shopping mall’. The shops are open seven days a week and sell everything you can possibly want or need: from perfumes to kitchenware, clothes, toys, specialty food, and electronics. You can of course buy tobacco, alcohol, and petrol as well. Many old stone and wood houses have been skilfully restored and are home to luxury boutiques rivalling those of the fashion district in Milan.
4. Free Ski Pass
“Free Ski Passes” up to 22 December 2018, all ski passes are free when booking accommodation for the same duration. This is a great saving in the traditionally quieter yet still snow safe pre-Christmas weeks.
5. Cross-Country Skiing
Livigno offers 30km of cross-country ski tracks that wind along the entire valley, from Forcola to the area of the lake, passing the technical path of “Marianna Longa”. La Sgambeda, the international ski marathon, officially opens the racing season every December.
