The other way to reach Livigno in winter is to drive via Bormio and the 2200 meter high Foscagno pass. You can reach the village via Trepalle, a district. You should definitely have snow chains with you. The third option is a purely summer option and is popular with motorcyclists: The Forcola Pass in the south connects Livigno with the Swiss Poschiavo as well as St. Moritz and is usually only open from June to November, depending on the danger of avalanches.

And then put on your ski boots and get on your skis: Livigno has 115 kilometers of slopes, half in the Carosello area on the west side and the other half in the Mottolino area in the east. Here, two challenging black slopes lead from the highest point at almost 2,800 meters up to the tree line, which is fun for experts. Otherwise, both areas, which are connected by a free ski bus, have predominantly wide, red and blue slopes including picturesque forest runs that make the hearts of ski fans beat faster. The snow park on the Mottolino side is spectacular and acrobatic: snowboarders, trick skiers and freeriders provide goosebumps with breathtaking jumps. At lunch and later in the afternoon the Spritz is on at the Camanel Hut and it's party time with DJs, dancing and fashion shows. On the Carosello side, however, things are quieter and in the rustic huts such as the “Tea Borch” (Tea means hut) or “Tea Cip e Ciop” you can sit super comfortably inside and out directly on the slopes. Tip: Both hut hosts take guests to the ski area and back by snowmobile in the evening for a cozy hut dinner with risotto, spaghetti etc. Be sure to reserve in advance.

And who goes on holiday in Livigno? “We have 15,000 beds and in winter around 75 percent of the guests come from Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany and the rest are Italians. In summer it is the other way around and well over half of the guests come from Italy. We’re only a five-hour drive from the sea,” says Letizia Ortalli.

It's not a beach, but you can still put your bathing suits in your suitcase because Livigno also has a lot to offer for water lovers. The Aquagranda, a 10,000 square meter swimming and bathing center at the entrance to the town, is inconspicuous from the outside, but is beautifully done inside with three separate areas. Families with small children will find everything they need for a perfect, relaxing day here, with shallow pools, slides, water features, saunas and a restaurant. Athletes are in luck in the fitness & pool area with a 25-meter pool and fitness studio plus courses. Those who want to relax, on the other hand, will find wonderful relaxation in the beautifully designed wellness area with water pools, saunas, treatments and whirlpools.

Outdoor sports are ideal in the “refrigerator of Italy”: 30 kilometers of cross-country ski trails, twelve snowshoe hiking trails and, in the warm months, challenging tours through the mountains on foot or on a mountain bike in moderate temperatures. Sportsmen and athletes value Livigno because of its altitude at 1,800 meters. In Little Tibet you can improve your performance, for example for the extreme triathlon from August 30th to September 2nd, 2023. And even in August there is still a cross-country skiing competition. Then a kilometer of real snow, saved from the winter under a sun-repellent tarpaulin, is prepared on the shopping street for the cross-country ski run and the locals compete against each other in traditional costumes with nostalgic equipment.

And finally a little story that Livigno is proud of: The Italian writer Giovanni Guareschi was inspired by the residents of Trepalle to create his legendary characters Don Camillo and Peppone. So why not visit the highest inhabited village in the Alps on skis for the season finale? From April 15th to May 1st, the ski pass is free when booking at least four hotel nights.

Info: http://www.livigno.eu