Ski holidays to Livigno

Short description of Livigno

Livigno meanders for seven kilometers along the valley floor between the Carosello and Mottolino ski areas. Its location is the reason for its tax-free status. Over 100 years ago, tax collectors couldn’t cross the snow-covered mountain passes, so they declared it tax-free back then.

Today, the beautiful pedestrian area is filled with designer boutiques, electronics stores and perfumeries as well as over 100 bars of all kinds, including many delicious eateries.

The festive and cozy après-ski bars are located at the bottom of all the main lifts, so you have several to choose from. Kosmo on the Mottolino side and Allegra and Stalet at the bottom of the Carosello gondola are must-sees.

Livigno: Skiing and snowboarding

Livigno is a charming town that stretches along a wide valley in Italy, known for its fantastic skiing and snowboarding terrain. The landscape is divided into two sides, Carosello and Mottolino, both of which are connected by a ski bus and share a common lift pass. With 115km of pistes, just a fraction of the extensive off-piste and backcountry terrain, it’s a perfect area for families, couples, groups as the area has something for everyone.

The Vetta chairlift (No. 28): Perfect for families and children

The slopes from the Vetta chairlift (#28) are perfect if you’re out with family and kids. You get the great feeling of being high up on the mountain, but the slopes are wide and easy. At the bottom is the Costaccia Hut where you can rest and enjoy a hot chocolate.

If you’re new to skiing, we recommend staying close to the slopes here to maximize your time on the slopes and avoid having to take the bus every morning.

Carosello: The great ski area

The Carosello area, located to the west with lifts extending directly from the edge of town, is the larger of the two areas. Three gondolas and six chairlifts handle the extensive 980m vertical range.

Mottolino: For those with some experience

On the eastern side of the valley, Mottolino has a similar vertical of around 970m, served by a gondola and five chairlifts. The gondola and chairlift require a walk or local transportation to get up here from town, and for beginner skiers the terrain is relatively limited.

Mottolino is also accessible for day trips from Bormio via chairlifts at the village of Trepalle or Passo d’Eira. Freeride opportunities off the 2,785m high Monte della Neve are good, especially into Vallaccia. The Vallaccia terrain is mostly mild to moderate slope.

Snowpark and heliskiing in Livigno

The snowpark on the Mottolino side above Trepalle is an experience to try if you are a little experienced in the park and a worthy competitor to perhaps the world’s best snowpark in Laax, Switzerland. The park is known for its wild ramps and halfpipes that will challenge even the most experienced freestyle snowboarder or skier.

Heliskiing is also available in Livigno. It’s worth noting that Livigno’s high altitude and north-east to north-west aspect ensures great snow conditions, making it an ideal place for those looking to try heliskiing. Heliskiing is an experience you take with others, so you’ll need a few people who are up for such an experience – and to keep the price down.

The lift pass for Livigno

The main local lift pass includes access to both sides of the valley – Mottolino and Carosello. There are also more budget-friendly lift passes available, specifically for the many beginner lifts that stretch along the eastern side of town. From early January to early April, you can get a special Saturday discount on the lift pass.

Alta Valtellina Ski Pass

Alternatively, there is also the Alta Valtellina Ski Pass. This lift pass is valid for 3 or more days in Livigno, Bormio, Santa Caterina & Cima Piazzi – San Colombano. It’s good value if you plan to ski in some of the other ski areas while staying mainly in Livigno. It’s worth considering before purchase. However, it does require you to have a car to get around to the other areas.

Livigno activities besides skiing

Livigno, one of Italy’s jewels, is much more than just a destination for skiers. When you’re done skiing for the day, there’s a plethora of activities awaiting you, from relaxing wellness and spa to exciting outdoor activities.

Aquagranda Sports Center

In the heart of Livigno is the Aquagranda sports center, a 10,000m2 center filled with opportunities for fitness and relaxation. From swimming pools, slides and gyms to wellness areas, the center attracts even international athletes looking to build fitness at altitude. It’s also a very popular area during the summer months.

From the Livigno Outdoor Center you can take part in a wide range of activities in the idyllic mountain landscape. Whether you’re into hiking, mountaineering, ice climbing, snowshoeing or rock climbing, you’ll find it all here.

After an active day, you can relax in a variety of places. Take in a movie or visit the Cronox entertainment complex where there are four bowling alleys, billiards, darts, 5-a-side football and a playground for the little ones. Cronox offers a plethora of food options (including pasta and pizza, of course) and a nice selection of wine, beer and liqueurs, as well as a large room with big screens showing sports.