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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1816m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[4]
Advanced:		[3]
Snowboarding:		[3]

Livigno is perhaps best known because it is duty free, apparently due to an ancient tax-free status granted by the ‘powers that be’ centuries ago. Today this means a rather Andorra-like reputation with over 200 duty free shops lining the road and a large number of bars and cafes serving highly affordable alcohol (cigarettes are available too but Italy was one of the first to introduce a ban on smoking in indoor public spaces).

However Livigno is also a major ski area. The inaccessibility which led to its independence from the taxation regime in the past was due to its remote high altitude location. This, for skiers, equates to snowsure skiing and a long season with the snow down to village level for most of it. It’s less than 60 years since the first roads reached the village and 50 years this season since the first ski lift opened.

The only real downside of this remoteness really is that it’s a long way from anywhere (although Bormio and St Moritz are possible on day trips) and usually rather a lengthy transfer from the airport.

Beginners

Livigno's long valley floor is made up of gently sloping meadows which are covered in short drag lifts in the winter, serving dozens of beginner runs a short hop from most accommodation. These normally have good snow cover thanks to Livigno’s high altitude. Higher up, the terrain gets steeper and most of the runs are intermediate level, but there are quite a few wide, sunny easy blue runs which most beginners will be able to tackle by the end of their first week. The ski school also has a reputation of quality tuition with English speaking instructors.

Intermediates

Both sides of the valley are predominantly intermediate terrain with long, fast ‘motorway’ reds, crossing vast snowy slopes above the treeline. The Mottolino gondola accesses one side with slightly steeper terrain whilst the larger skiing sector across the valley is accessed by the Carosello 3000 lift from the southern end of the village or by a series of chair lifts from the village centre.

Advanced

There’s very little black terrain here, with two new runs added in 2001 to double the choice of runs from Monte Della Neve to four. There are off-piste choices however and the option to book some heliskiing. The area of Trepalle, beneath Monte Della Neve, is popular for free riding. The area pass includes alpine world Championship venues Bormio and St Moritz so if you’re prepared to travel there’s a wider choice.

Snowboarding

Livigno is well equipped for boarding culture with a terrain park, two boardercross courses and several pipes. The high speed chairlift and gondola network make it easy to get around the mountains quickly and there’s some good free riding beneath Monte Della Neve.

Other Activities and Facilities

Livigno has a range of activities available including paragliding, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, horse riding, sleigh rides and bowling. There’s a sports centre, indoor tennis, an outdoor ice rink, cinema, swimming pools and several saunas. There is also an ice driving circuit and options of excursions to St Moritz and the thermal spa at Bormio.

Duty free shopping is of course popular with more than 200, mostly small shops to choose from. If you need them there’s also a post office, banks, ATM machines and a laundrette.

Après Ski and Dining Out

With over 120 bars to choose from, all serving cheap alcohol, Livigno is famous for its night life. On the other hand most of the bars are small and spread out, so ironically the village isn’t always as lively as you might think! There’s also a large number of small restaurants, most serving typical Italian dishes of pasta and pizza.

Families

If your accommodation is close to the ski lift and other facilities Livigno is a good choice, but if you are at the wrong end of the resort it can be a long walk along a main road or a busy ski bus to get to where you need to be, so families should choose their hotel or apartment carefully.

The ski school run the Kinderheim "Biancaneve " which has English speaking teachers, is located just next to the ski school and accepts children from age three to learn to ski. There is no non-ski nursery facility. Older children have special ski school classes.

Piste Map for Livigno

Accommodation in Livigno

• Alaska - 2 star, half board
• Alpenroyal Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Alpenroyal Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Alpenroyal Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Alpina Hotel - 3 star, self catering
• Bellavista Aparthotel - 3 star, self catering
• Bellavista Apartments - 2 star, self catering
• Casa Peri Apartments - 3 star, self catering
• Casa Susanna Apartments - 3 star, self catering
• Chalet Living - 3 star, self catering
• Galli Apartments - 3 star, self catering
• Galli Hotel - 3 star, self catering
• Garni Francescato - 3 star, self catering
• Hotel Alegra - 3 star, self catering
• Hotel Alpina - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Astoria - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Baita Betulla - 2 star, half board
• Hotel Cecillia - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Intermonti - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Le Alpi - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Montanina - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Pare - 4 star, half board
• Hotel San Giovanni - 2 star, half board
• Hotel Touring - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Touring - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Villaggio San Carlo - 4 star, half board
• L Ables Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• La Locanda - 3 star, self catering
• La Roina Apartments - 4 star, self catering
• Lac Salin Spa & Mountain Res't - 4 star, half board
• Livigno Guesthouses - 0 star, half board
• Marco Galli Apartments - 3 star, half board
• Primula Hotel - 3 star, half board
• San Giovanni Hotel - 3 star, half board
• Sport Hotel - 3 star, half board
• Touring - 4 star, half board
• Touring - 4 star, half board
• Valeria - 3 star, half board
• Valeria - 3 star, half board
• Zodiac - 2 star, bed & breakfast

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