Introduction to Livigno Ski Resort Italy

Located high in the Italian Alps, Livigno ski resort Italy’s Sondrio province lies close to the border with Switzerland in the north of the Lombardy region. At the lofty elevation of 1,816m (5,958 feet) above sea level, the charming village with its quaint baita architecture is considered the highest inhabited parish in Europe and has around 6,300 residents. It even uses its own dialect for local street names and maps.

There are just three roads exiting the town. The Via Forcola follows the Aqua Granda River south towards Switzerland through the Livigno Pass (Forcola di Livigno), and with an elevation of 2,315m (7,595 feet) it is only open in summer. The second route, also destined for Switzerland, runs north through the Munt La Schera tunnel and the third heads south-east through the Foscagno Pass towards Bormio, Livigno’s main neighbour.

Despite its remote situation, the Livigno Ski Resort Italy has some surprising cultural attractions. It is home to several music groups and bands including the Corpo Musicale, a folk group, the Monteneve Chorus and the Carcent Theatre Group. They all play a part in entertaining visitors in all seasons. There is also a lively Sporting Club which has produced a number of Olympic skiers along with world-class rally car driver, Gigi Galli.

History of Italy’s Livigno Ski Resort

Originally a self-sufficient farming community with a lucrative sideline in smuggling, Livigno was “discovered” as a ski resort in the 1950s. Set in a broad valley, the Alpine village boasts stunning mountain scenery, surrounded by snow-capped peaks against a clear blue sky.

The creation of the Lago di Livigno reservoir unfortunately destroyed part of the old village, but the iconic wooden chalets that remain are brimming with character and charm. The most significant buildings, besides the Town Hall and baita huts, are the local churches. The Caravaggio Church has a painting attributed to the famous 16th century painter Caravaggio, and the 16th century Saint Rocco Church was built in thanksgiving for sparing the village from the plague.

In the early 1950s, limited access to Livigno due to the snow meant that only a few winter sports enthusiasts, mainly Germans, enjoyed this winter playground. They would haul their toboggans up the slopes to ride the endless virgin slopes. By 1959, Livigno had two ski lifts. The opening of the Munt La Schera tunnel in 1965 improved access for both summer visitors and winter skiers and by then Livigno boasted six hotels.

The growing popularity of winter sports in Italy meant that by 2002, Livigno ski resort was in huge demand with 100 hotels and 32 ski lifts. Today, the long ridges provide a total of 110km of excellent ski runs, including 12 black, 37 red and 29 blue pistes plus around 30km of cross-country trails.

Getting Around Livigno

Livigno ski resort is Italy’s hidden gem, offering reliable snowfall and a good choice of slopes for all abilities served by a reliable lift system. A free bus service transports skiers to the outlying lifts along with an affordable taxi and minibus service. However, guests staying at the Hotel Alexander are in a prime location, right at the foot of the Teola Pianoni Bassi Ski Lift.

Ski Resort Amenities in Livigno Italy

The unpretentious village has its own Alpine charm with a main pedestrianised street lined with traditional bars, restaurants, supermarkets and specialist shops. Livigno has enjoyed tax advantages dating back to the 16th century, and currently enjoys a duty-free status first granted by the Austrian Empire in 1840. Although the sovereignty of Livigno has changed over the years, it has retained its coveted VAT exemption, making it a great destination for those looking for extra value, particularly when shopping for some of Italy’s luxury goods.

Due to the high altitude, Italy’s Livigno ski resort has a long season from late November through to the end of April.  It offers good quality skiing at affordable prices and is the ideal choice for families and those who enjoy après-ski socialising but do not hanker for a rowdy nightlife.

As a winter ski resort, Livigno continues to thrill snowboarders, downhill and Alpine skiers. In summer it welcomes a host of hikers, mountaineers and mountain bikers who enjoy this breathtaking destination in the Italian Alps.

Relaxing Italian Holidays

From all the European destinations available for going on holidays, Italy occupies a place among the top ten. Activities are diverse and they may go from sightseeing to extreme sports practices in the Alps. Near the Swiss border, we can find the town of Livigno, at 5.958 feet above the sea level; this small town displays landscapes full of beauty and tourist services to ensure pleasant holidays for all those individuals who are looking for a mix of energy and relaxation. The Alexandre Charme Hotel and the Livigno Hotel Spa are two of the places that combine these elements in a suitable way for visitors.

Located in the beautiful Italian Alps, this hotel offers among many other services, the Livigno Hotel Spa. Body and mind can find within the Hotel the necessary balance to recover from all the damage produced by everyday stress and it will allow visitors to enjoy the peace and quiet that can only be truly experienced being in the cozy town of Livigno in the Province of Sondrio, just next to the Swiss border. 

Nowadays leading a very busy life can bring about so many aches, uneasiness or physical discomfort that it becomes a health measure to take a break. This could be done by enjoying the Spa and using their available Jacuzzis, offering your body a moment of relaxing while you refresh your skin and enjoy of soothing temperature and surroundings. The Livigno Hotel Spa offers much more than a hot bath, that is for sure.

Besides this, there is also an adjoining massage room, where highly specialized personnel will take care of you and your body to ensure a relaxing experience. A well-performed massage, such as the one offered, can additionally bring to your body the following benefits:

·         Improves the circulation of blood through your veins

·         Helps your body get rid of toxins

·         Eases some aches and muscular pain, especially legs and back.

·         Reduces swollen areas

·         Reduces body tension by the stimulation of the skin

·         Strengthens the immune system to efficiently fight diseases

 
Most of these benefits are due to the first point on the list, the improvement of circulation. Oxygen is carried through blood more efficiently and therefore influences several regenerative processes. Having all these wonderful health benefits - while enjoying the magnificent Alps surrounding the hotel - is just an extra feature that this Italian holiday is able to offer to visitors all throughout the year. 
 

Some people (depending on their personal habits or style) may prefer other types of relaxation methods, and these may include using the sauna service offered by the Hotel. In the sauna, the body gets rid of many toxins trough sweat. Sweating is considered to be a health indicator because it is the natural response of the body towards raising temperatures. While many sports and cardiovascular activities, such as footing, ensure you a good sweat, having the same benefits while enjoying a peaceful stay in the sauna seems like a valid option as well. 

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