Livigno Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
Its success is firstly down to its high altitude that has made it one of the most snowsure resorts in Europe. Skiing down to the village is normal even early and late in its long season. Secondly, and more unusually, its isolation made it too difficult for tax inspectors to reach in olden times, which eventually led to Livigno becoming a tax-free haven.
So today the resort offers that Holy Grail of skiing - superb snow, and excellent, low-priced après ski. It's all very recent. A little over fifty years ago the area remained cut off for much of the year, but the first ski lift arrived in 1958, the hotel count reached four by the early 1960s, and Livigno's rise has been meteoric ever since. Today there are more than 100 hotels and 115km (66 miles) of piste.
Mountain facts
Where in the world?
Hit the slopes
Livigno's skiing is basically divided in two by the valley road along which the resort stretches. The two halves are both accessed by high-capacity, high-speed gondolas (Mottolino or the two-stage Carosello 3000) and by the growing network of high-speed chairlifts.
The ski area is characterised by a series of village-side nursery slopes on the meadows beside the resort, then long fast, open ‘motorway' runs above and a few steep blacks below the area's highest skiing at Mt Della Neve.
Thanks to its altitude, the village nursery slopes are normally snowsure throughout the season. An area pass covering resorts in the surrounding Alta Valtellina region including Bormio and Santa Caterina as well as a day over the border in St Moritz is available (minimum duration six days).
Beyond the slopes
Outdoors try snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice driving, ice skating, snowmobiling, quad biking and paragliding.
Family fun
There is a choice of pre-ski-school nurseries, although several have limited hours such as mornings or weekdays only. Kinderheim Kinder Club Dau, via Plan 273, has longer opening hours and accepts children from age three. It is located just next to the ski school in the centre of Livigno.
Retail therapy
Beyond the duty-free excess, there are the regular resort selection of ski shops, souvenir outlets and a few jewellers, grocers and fashion boutiques.
Après ski
In the long list of popular places, Gulliver Pub, Via Canton 256, has a huge selection of beers and spirits. The Echo Pub, Via Pontiglia 37, serves microbrewery beers and Jpioca, Via Botarel 52, is a good cocktail bar.
Eating out
Ristorante il Cantuccio, Via Saroch 1019, has a better than average selection of pastas whilst the Ristorante la Pòsa, Via Taglieda 58, is one of the best pizzerias in town.
Getting around
Splashing out
Accommodation
Luxury
Hotel AmerikanWell-located 4-star hotel with wellness centre incorporating sauna, Turkish bath, whirlpool and gym.
Via Florin 77/93
Tel: (0342) 992 011.
Website: www.amerikan.it
Moderate
Hotel CentroRecently refurbished, very central 2-star hotel, only 50m (160ft) from the ski lifts.
Via Fontana 26D
Tel: (0342) 996 092.
Website: www.hotelcentros.it
Budget
Hotel SportingFriendly family-run hotel close to the Carosello 3000 lift.
Via Saroch 1272
Tel: (0342) 996 665.
Website: www.bormolinihotels.com
Getting there
Distances to resort: 250km (157 miles); 220km (137 miles).
Driving times: 4 hours; 5 hours.
Website
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