Livigno...to ski or not to ski?

Evening folks!

Looking to ski Livigno for a week over Christmas; but we can't make up our minds. After spending the same week in the Sella Ronda last year, we're stuck.

Anyone help with an honest take on a week in livigno please?

I had my second ever skiing holiday in Livigno 3 years ago. It was a good holiday but to be honest it's amazing how little I remember about it. I think I was concentrating too much on learning to ski!

One of my customers stayed in Livigno over Christmas last year and are doing the same again this year so it can't be all bad.

Livigno itself is a very long and narrow town stretched out along a mostly pedestrianised street. You can ski the extensive hills along either side of the town. I remember it being very cold (-20 or so). Having said that, it can feel colder in the UK with our cold damp weather in the winter.

My first and third week sking were in Livigno and I really liked it.Its cheap to eat and drink as it is all tax free and the food is great,even in most of the mountain resturants.
It is perfect for beginner and intermediate level as there is plenty of blues and easy reds.Above that there is a few black runs but nothing that will test you too much.
Lots of good pubs and plenty to do at night.
Unless your are an advanced skier it is a really great resort.On my second holiday there was about 15 of us and we all really liked it.
Hope that helps.
Gar.

Went last march goin again next march. Really enjoyed it.

Plenty of beginner slopes.
Long long wide blues.
Plenty of reds ideal for blue run folk to move up a level and more reds to warm youself up for the blacks.
Some black on both sides of the valley cant really see experienced black slope skiers having any trouble.
Snowpark including a halfpipe.
Didnt explore any off piste last time so dunno about that.

A free bus service to make the change from one mountain side to the other. Great bars and food. Stayed in the town on the Carosello side of the valley although there are hotels on the opposite side a little out of town. All but one lift (lift 6) are great, no T-bars. Great views. Know someone who has been going there for 8+ years he loves it so much.

Transfer can be quite long if you dont fly to innsbruck.

Would be useful for you to find someone who has been to sella ronda aswell to give the best comparison.

Pros: Livigno is high and usually has very good snow. Some sort of tax status means it's cheap, even for Italy. Very friendly instructors. Very good learner slopes, especially for snowboarding. Remoteness (beyond Bormio) means don't have weekenders that much or big influx if a bad snow season. Can go on day trip into Switzerland.
Cons: Very long transfer (4-1/2 Hours!); Bergamo airport often liable to fog; Milan even further away; 3.30am departure home; have to bus between west side and east side - often busy; lift system a bit ageing, can be cold (-24C first time I went!).
In all, very good for beginners or mixed ability groups, good snow conditions, reasonable for any non-skiers but you might not like the long transfer and could get stuck in Bergamo airport if foggy. In a good snow year you might think it wasn't worth it but in a bad year you'd be glad you chose it.

i have never been myself but most of the locals here in malta go to livigno as they say its one of th ebest in that area. All comemnt on the same thing that is th elong transfer to the place especially from milan airport.
Any body has an idea about th edriving conditions to livigno in christmas time as i am off on the 20 th december and shall be driving to there

steve

Unfortunately there is no comparison (visually) between Sella Ronda & Livigno. I have ski'd the last 3 winters at Selva (Sella Ronda) & the whole experience is faultless. In 2002 I ski'd at Livigno which had enough skiing for a week (about 130km piste) but it isn't pretty in the same way as the Dolomites. However, the bars & shops are very lively & the idea of shopping after a days skiing proved to be a lot of fum. I would go back to Livigno but Selva has a lot more skiing possibilities.

.... to ski to ski to ski!! i went there for my first time on the slopes, great place, was doing reds by end of week thanks to great instructors. very cheap place to eat and drink and very nice people!! i also went christmas week, christmas eve/day is a very late night in the club!!

this place is responsible for my ski addiction!! well worth a visit!!