Last Updated on 20th June 2023 by Steve
Why choose Livigno ski resort?
Livigno is a high mountain village located in northern Italy close to the Swiss border. The Livigno ski area is on both sides of a wide valley and offers mainly intermediate level runs.
The altitude of Livigno itself is just over 1800 metres and the skiing rises to just under 2800 metres, making the ski resort an attractive destination for powder skiers with its snow-sure reputation .
Livigno has been a duty-free area in the Italian Alps for nearly 200 years. The isolated location and relative poverty was one reason for the introduction of the duty-free status, although summer and winter tourism now mean that Livigno has developed into a prosperous community.
Where is Livigno?
Livigno lies between the Engadine area of Switzerland and the Alta Valtellina area of Italy. In the winter it can only be reached from Switzerland and northern Europe via a single-lane tunnel, the Munt la Schera tunnel, which crosses the Swiss border near the hydro-electric scheme above Livigno.
The other far more frequently-used route is that into the Alta Valtellina (the ‘high Tellina valley’) towards the administrative town of Bormio (which is also a ski resort in its own right) and then on over the Foscagno Pass (with a customs post to check on duty-free goods on departure).
Where is the closest airport to Livigno?
Innsbruck Airport is one of the closest airports to Livigno, although it does mean passing through Austria, Switzerland and Italy, which could create a problem for non-European residents.
Bergamo Airport to the south of the Italian Alps is an alternative which stays in the same country, but the choice of flights and destinations will be much smaller.
Zurich Airport to the north west in the centre of Switzerland is a good alternative for those who want to use the reliable Swiss train service (see rail details below).
Milan Linate airport offers a choice of European and domestic destinations, while the larger Milan Malpensa has the international connections for those wanting to travel to the Italian Alps from North American and other continents.
Airport shuttle services are available all week from Milan Malpensa and Bergamo airports, with the addition of Milan Linate on Saturdays.
Airport | Distance to Livigno |
Innsbruck Airport | 180 kilometres |
Bergamo Airport | 196 kilometres |
Zurich Airport | 218 kilometres |
Milan Linate Airport | 222 kilometres |
Milan Malpensa Airport | 250 kilometres |
Getting to Livigno by train
Those arriving from the north should aim to get the Swiss rail service to the town of Zernez in the Engadine region of Switzerland. From here there is a bus service through to Livigno and private taxi transfers are also available.
Those arriving from the south should make for the town of Tirano around 70 kilometres to the south of Livigno. From there, a bus service runs to Livigno with a change in Bormio. Taxis are also available.
Driving to Livigno
Those planning on driving to Livigno should be aware that they will be crossing passes and driving in winter conditions at altitude.
The easiest winter route from the north is to the village of Zernez in southern Switzerland. Those arriving from Austria or Germany (or the South Tyrol region of Italy) will be following the Inn river all the way through the Engadine to Zernez. From here the route heads to the toll tunnel and the Livigno reservoir. (Note that there can be long waits here at busy periods.)
Those arriving from other parts of Switzerland can use the A3 main road via St Moritz or the Vereina tunnel car-rail connection from Davos to access Zernez.
Those arriving from north west Italy will want to head north towards the towns of Sondrio and Tirano and then along the Valtellina towards Bormio and over the Foscagno Pass to Livigno.
Those arriving from the rest of Italy are probably better advised to head for Bolzano and then up to Merano before cutting across to the Reschen Pass and into the Inn valley and the Engadine region of Switzerland towards Zernez.
Where to stay in Livigno?
Livigno is a spread-out settlement with plenty of accommodation up and down the valley. The accommodation and ski slopes are connected by shuttle bus services which run on various lines (identified by colours).
Ski hotels in Livigno
Here are three hotels strongly recommended by previous visitors to Livigno:
The Dimora Degli Dei is a four-star hotel in a quiet position at Passo d’Eira on the way to Livigno from Bormio. It is only a few steps away from the chairlift connecting into the ski area with accommodation in rooms and suites.
Website: dimorahotellivigno.it
The Roberta Alpine is a four-star hotel garni in the centre of Livigno and only a short walk from the ski lifts. The hotel offers rooms and suites with an extensive breakfast buffet. It has a wellness area with sauna and Turkish bath.
Website: hotelroberta.it
The Hotel Sporting is a four-star hotel located only 100 metres from the base of the Carosello 3000 gondola. The hotel offers accommodation in rooms and suites and has a large wellness area with indoor swimming pool.
Website: www.hotelsportinglivigno.com
Other ski accommodation in Livigno
Four-star hotels are not the only accommodation option in the Livigno area. Those who prefer to stay in self-catering apartments or a family-run guesthouse can get an idea of general availability for their chosen stay by entering dates of arrival and departure below to see which accommodation options may be suitable. Click the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ buttons to zoom in or out and click on the prices to see more information and/or book a particular establishment.
Livigno ski area
Most skiers will choose a Livigno ski pass, which covers the ski slopes above the village on both sides of the valley. An alternative for the more adventurous skier or snowboarder, especially those with their own transport, would be to buy the Alta Valtellina ski pass, which is slightly more expensive and includes the nearby ski areas of Bormio, Santa Caterina Valfurva and Cima Piazzi-San Colombano.
The Livigno ski area has 32 ski lifts in total, with six gondolas providing rapid access to the top of the ridges on both sides. The variety of runs is suitable for all levels of skier or snowboarder, with perhaps the only exception being expert skiers who are looking for on-piste challenges.
Beginner skiers will find short drag-lifts at various points in the town and plenty of ski school options for lessons during their stay.
Intermediate skiing is where Livigno really comes into its own and skiers at this level can explore both of the areas above the village without worrying about getting stuck on a tricky advanced piste. The two sides of the valley are connected by a frequent Ski-Link bus service.
The Mottolino ski area is on the eastern side of the valley and the easiest access is via the Mottolino gondola near the Teola section of Livigno. The top station is the start of a long red run from the mountain down to the valley station or, alternatively, skiers can head over the top and down to the quiet hamlets of Trepalle or Passo d’Eira.
Working their way south along the Mottolino area, skiers will enjoy further red runs until reaching the last Monte Neve chairlift. Here there is a choice of black runs for the advanced skier, a red for the intermediate skiers and a nice blue run back along the ridge to the top of the Mottolino gondola.
The larger Carosello ski area is on the other side of the valley. The skiing here tends to be closer to the accommodation in the various parts of Livigno, which means that the nursery slopes on this side are probably easier to access for beginner skiers.
Once again, the intermediate skier will find plenty of interest. The long Centrale run takes skiers three and a half kilometres from top to bottom under the Carosello 3000 gondolas, while the Federia slopes on the back side of the ridge offer generally good snow conditions and an opportunity to test powder skills.
The Zuelli run is another top-to-bottom piste, this time for more advanced skiers, starting at the top of the Blesaccia chairlift.
The Costaccia ski lifts to the north have a variety of runs on offer, with the pleasant winding blue piste ‘Bella Vista’ (‘Beautiful View’) supplying stunning views of the village and reservoir above.
Online ski hire
Our ski equipment rental partners Skiset offer big discounts on resort prices for online bookings in advance.
Visitors booking through SkiResorts.net get an additional 5% reduction on the prices by using the code ‘alpineconcepts’: