Livigno - Italy

Livigno, host to one of the most spectacular and ground breaking events in the snowboard world, Nine Knights, and the 2015 European Freeride Festival. This is truly one of the most incredible resorts I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. From the silent bus ride through a jaw dropping Swiss National Park, to horse and cart sized single lane mountain tunnels, or taking a copper slippery slide into Mikey’s Pub after splitboarding the Italian Alps with Freeride World Champion Aline Bock, this place is world class.

There are a number of different options for transport in Europe, whether you fly and rent a car, or train, boat and bus your way through the countries, it all seems very well organised. People are always willing to help out, so don’t be shy to ask a few questions, and I highly recommend learning a few basic words to help yourself out.

Coming from the North you can catch a train from Innsbruck - Austria, or Zurich - Switzerland, to Zenez - Switzerland, then enjoy the incredibly scenic bus ride across the Swiss boarder and into Livigno.

Entering from the South you can catch a train from any major city in Italy, to the mountain town Tirano on the Swiss border. Then it’s the last stretch of the journey in the Italian Alps by bus through to Livigno, note you may have to change bus at Bormio.

If you’re travelling with others then do a bit of research on train ticket prices vs car rental prices, it might work out to be closer then you think and there is the added comfort factor in having a car. Make sure you opt for the Sat Nav though, those roads can be tricky.

The village itself is scattered with little convenient stores and places to buy Gucci or any up market perfume you like, and its duty free. It sits in the middle of a narrow valley, with the ski area Mottolino on one side and Carosello on the other, both accessible by the same lift pass. There are multiple free shuttle buses to take you from one side to the other, or just about anywhere else within the village. So finding accommodation really comes down to where you’ll feel most comfortable and what your budget will allow for.

The terrain is mainly big open alpine areas separated by gullies and natural half pipes with a few tight tree runs towards the bottom. There are plenty of groomers and people seem to stick to them so it’s not hard to find some nice pow pockets hidden around the place. Both sides have a park but the Mottolino side has the goods. Seriously though, I’ve never had the chance to jib a WW2 fighter plane before, but I did here. Also they have the XL park on the Mottolino side, you won’t get in without a helmet so don’t forget to pack it. The parks are well maintained with plenty of jibbing to be done as well as the small and XL jump lines, both with four appropriately sized features.

There is always something to do in Livigno, whether it’s go-karting on snow circuits, dancing on tables during Apres, lapping up first class shopping and dinning (or a 5 Euro pizza) or sitting back in the snow covered landscape of the Italian Alps thinking, "how’s the serenity?" Livigno - Italy is a place you’ll never forget.

Written by: Jakob Kennedy

Photos by: Jakob Kennedy