One of the highest genuine villages in Europe, Livigno is able to offer skiers natural snow skiing from November to May. It is situated in what was a remote mountain valley between the Alps to the north and the Dolomites to the south - protected from both the cold northerly winds of the former and the snow-melting warm breezes of the latter. It is located just south of the Swiss border, with St Moritz one of it nearest neighbours. The resort is famous because it is `duty free` and contains over 200 shops - most of them selling alcohol, tobacco and perfume products at tax free prices.
The ski area is very big for a single resort and has a modern, efficient lift system. The resort is actually based on three older villages and stretches for 8km (5 miles) along the road with various access points to the skiing along this length and the hundreds of small-medium sized shops, hotels and apartments filling almost all available space.
One of the later arrivals on the winter sports map because of its isolation, only intrepid visitors arrived by sledge in the snowy months before 1952 when the road down to Bormio was opened. The first ski lift appeared as recently as 1958 and in 1964 there were just four hotels and still only one ski lift. Today there are more than 100 hotels and other places to stay.
Apres Ski
Livigno`s duty free status extends to the buzzing bar scene where affordable fun cocktails are often the order of the day. There`s a huge choice of establishments including video bars like Marco`s, karaoke joints like Bivio, and discotheques like the very Italian Cielo and Kokodi.
Eating Out
An excellent range of restaurants and good value pizzerias available. • Typical 3-course dinner from approx. e16 • Pizzas from e5 • The Bivio is one of the best restaurants in town, Mario's for local cuisine, Il Cenacolo for fish delicacies, Marco's for full English breakfast and the Bellavista for pizza and pasta. The Garden restaurant is good for local specialities.
Activities
• Ice-skating • Ski-doos • Cross country skiing • Horse riding • Sleigh rides • Bowling • Night skiing • Indoor rock climbing
Other Amenities
• Over 100 shops with duty-free prices • Weekly excursion to St. Moritz • Fitness centre • Cinema (English films once a week) • Local bus to Bormio
