A lively village hidden deep in the Alps in a high, cold, snowsure valley, Livigno has some of the best snow in the area. The village runs mainly along one long road lined with shops, restaurants and hotels, with skiing on either side. Its spot on the southern side of the Alps means that the valley is often drenched in sun. Surrounded by mountains, Livigno faces the Bernina Group southwards and the Ortles-Cevedale Group eastwards, making for some stunning scenery and a secluded ambience in the resort.
Much of the terrain is very open, with long, wide runs well-suited to beginners and intermediates. Beginners will enjoy the excellent facilities and easy intermediate runs to progress to and intermediates will find a variety of challenges all over the mountain. The pistes will not challenge experts, as even the black runs are not that severe. They will need to venture off-piste for any real challenging terrain. The excellent snow record does mean that there is often a good deal of powder snow on offer. Fast, modern and efficient runs will zip you around the mountain, and there are few queues. The north-south orientation of the valley and the two opposing mountainsides means that you can move around to ski in the sun all day.
One of the big draws for Livigno has always been its duty-free status, offering reduced prices on everything from alcohol and cigarettes to perfumes and watches. It has long attracted those looking for a budget holiday. However in recent years it has been piped at the post by the uber cheap resorts in Bulgaria and Romania, with their bargain-basement prices. That's not to say you won't still get a good deal here - Livigno is still good value compared to many of the resorts in the Alps, providing a lively, unpretentious après-ski scene and quality restaurant with out the soaring price tags. They have also upped their game by upgrading their facilities immensely. Traditional wooden houses and pretty churches dot the village, and a day trip to the chic St. Moritz resort is easy. Food-wise, make sure you sample some of the local dishes like sciatt (polenta filled with bitto cheese and soaked in grappa) and pizzoccheri (buckwheat noodles with magnuca cheese and potatoes).
