Livigno is located 1,816 metres above sea level and locally known as the "Little Tibet" of Italy. Its cold, dry winter climate makes it one of the most important and popular ski resorts in the Alps. This 14 km long valley is located between the valleys of Engadina in Switzerland and Alta Valtellina in Italy. It is a beautiful place for cross-country skiers with a range of courses stretching for some 42 km. Enhanced by a good sunny exposition, the snow is guaranteed here from December to March.
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| © Fabio Borga |
Livigno's main river is called Aqua Granda or the Spöl. Trepalle, a community in the municipality of Livigno, is considered Europe's highest inhabited parish. Livigno has retained its roots as a traditional and cultural village although part of the old village was destroyed in the 1960s by the creation of a reservoir, the Lago di Livigno. Livigno is one of the few Italian villages which do not belong to the drainage basin of the Mediterranean Sea but instead it drains into the Black Sea.
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| © APT |
© Marco Pagani |
Livigno is one of the most important ski resorts in Europe and despite its growth it has been able to preserve its unspoilt environment, attractive architecture and its delightful alpine atmosphere. Livigno enjoys a special tax status as duty-free area making it a great place for high-end shopping. Italian VAT (Value Added Tax) is not paid. Although tax advantages for Livigno were recorded as far back as the sixteenth century, the current tax exemption was first introduced by the Austrian Empire around 1840. It was then confirmed by the Kingdom of Italy around 1910, then by the Italian Republic and the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1960. Although no VAT is paid, income taxes are due, so Livigno cannot be considered a true tax haven.
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| © Enzo Bevilacqua |
Excellent skiing is available for all levels, but Livigno is particularly suitable for intermediate skiers. Other plus points are its proximity to St Moritz, its famous duty free shopping and its historical remoteness. There are over 200 shops in the town, mostly selling alcohol, cigarettes and perfume.
The Italian ski resort of Livigno is part of the Alta Valtellina Ski Area with access to 85 individual ski runs, 12% for experts, 46% for intermediates and 42% for beginners. In addition to the skiing in Livigno itself, with 110km of pistes, the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Alta Valtellina ski resorts of Bormio and Santa Caterina.
The ski resort itself is above 1500 m, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With many pistes above 2500 metres, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season. The area is serviced by 33 ski lifts.
Snowmaking :- Livigno is able to augment its natural snowfall if necessary with 136 snow cannons on 82km of ski runs.
Ski Lift Capacity :- The 33 Ski Lifts of Livigno are able to accommodate 46,460 skiers and snowboarders per hour.
Orio sul Serio (Bergamo) airport is within two hours drive of Livigno, so skiing weekends, snowboarding breaks and short ski holidays to Livigno are perfectly feasible.
