Covered in a snowy blanket for six months of the year, an Italian Alps paradise offers an extended season of sublime skiing opportunities. Beyond that a shopping splurge awaits in this tax-free winter wonderland high up in the Italian Alps. Jetsetters from around the globe descend for the world-class skiing, to browse the 200 plus shops and sample grand gastronomy in equal measure. This is Livigno.

Known as ‘little Tibet,’ Livgno is 1,820 metres above sea level in the stunning Dolomites and is considered Europe’s highest inhabited parish rising to 2,900 metres. Offering incredible Italian food and amazing skiing opportunities, the Dolomites are an epicurean’s paradise, and considered the most beautiful mountains in the Alps due to their pale colour. Livigno is on the Swiss border in the Lombardy region and is one of the Italy’s premier ski resorts, enjoying a long snowsure season from November to May.

Livigno’s first settlers were medieval shepherds who made a living from agriculture. For centuries, it was a smuggling stronghold, evading taxation since the Napoleonic era. With such heritage, the beguiling ski resort retains its rustic charm including 600-year-old log cabin buildings. In 1910, the Italian government declared the area officially tax-free and it became a ski resort in 1953. Today it attracts shoppers in pursuit of designer labels as well as skiing opportunities. In 2015, Livigno hosted the European Freeride Festival and the Alpine World Cup has visited each year since 1966.

 

Ski

A haven of privacy, Hugh Jackman has been known to grace these slopes as well as the stars of the alpine ski scene. The spotlight will shine on Livigno in 2026 when it is one of three venues for the Winter Olympics, along with Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milan, hosting the freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions. Livigno was chosen due to its high-altitude and its pledge to be sustainable. A magnet for those who love glamour and glitz, Livigno just an hour’s drive by limo – or a few minutes by private jet – from St Moritz. Off the slopes, Livigno combines traditional wood-faced buildings, full of chocolate box charm, with extravagant hotels, bars, and restaurants and it is renowned for its nightlife with more bars than any other resort in the region.

With 115 slopes from 1,800 to 2,900m, served by cutting-edge ski lift systems and six cableways, 14 chair lifts and 12 ski lifts across two slopes. Carosello 3000 is the largest ski area in Livigno with spacious ski runs, four restaurants, across-country skiing on a track of around 30km and Italy’s largest snowpark. Explore Livigno from above by a paraglider or onboard a helicopter.  With ski lifts reaching as high as 3,000m, the resort appeals to expert to intermediate skiers with 12 black ski, 37 red runs and 29 blue pistes. An Alta Valtellina skipass that allows you to ski in Livigno, Bormio, Santa Caterina Valfurva, Cima Piazzi-San Colombano (Valdidentro-Oga) located in the province of Sondrio.

Hotels and fine dining

The Bivio Hotel, part of the prestigious Alpine Hotel has been managed by the Galli family for four generations, features bright and comfortable alpine-style rooms. The Bivio Cantina gourmet restaurant serves traditional dishes, inspired by ancient recipes from Eastern cuisine, to barbecued meats in spicy sauces while Bivio Cantina serves a buffet breakfast with warm freshly baked breads. The bistro has a large wine cellar featuring 350 fine wines and creative chefs use high-quality ingredients that are authentic to the region and there is also a sushi bar. Guests can relax at the Garden Spa beauty and wellness area or dance the night away at the Bivio Club Glam Disco Bar.

The Camana Veglia is a welcoming family-run hotel founded by Sandro Mottini in 1972 with 15 themed rooms and suites featuring wood interiors, each one steeped in character, charm, and comfort. Within these walls is a Michelin restaurant serving traditional Valtellina food prepared by chef Dionigi Colombo. One of the specialities is ‘Pizzoccheri alla Valtellinese’, a pasta tagliatelle served with local casera cheese, butter, sage and cabbage. Other specialities include a carpaccio of air-dried salted beef topped with local grotta cheese and stewed venison ribs accompanied by roasted potatoes.

The Bormolini family run the four-star Hotel Sporting, offering Michelin-rated food and contemporary rooms. Ideal for those with small entourages can choose from family suites for six or spacious loft rooms perfect for those with small entourages. For couples the deluxe room complete with a sensory shower, bathtub, and sauna mean you don’t have to leave your room for luxury. This hotel offers a fine dining experience at Al Persef, a Michelin plate restaurant perfect for an intimate date where one can gaze out of panoramic windows and behold incredible views. Behind every recipe is a story and diners are served modern, creative cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients, paired with an excellent wine list. Expect a five-course menu of Italian and Mediterranean food with an emphasis on seafood.

Meanwhile in the heart of Livigno, Hotel Larice is a four-star chalet property in the pedestrian area close to all the shops. The modern rooms and comfortable suites feature clear lines, elegant wood furniture, parquet floors and contemporary artwork and large windows overlooking the Tagliede slopes.

Shop til you drop

Many luxurious treasures can be found here within the exclusive boutiques and flagship stores open all year round.  Livigno is a shopping haven surrounded by the Italian Alps with over 250 shops, all within a large open-air mall, visitors can enjoy a ‘shopping mile’ fringed by an alpine vista, selling designer apparel and jewellery and watches, as well as high tech gadgets.

Livigno is one of the largest and highest ski areas in the Lombardy region, based on three original villages spread out along three miles of road. Offering excellent intermediate skiing, and close to St Moritz, this duty-free alpine paradise is one for the discerning traveller who loves winter sports.