Livigno Ski Guide: Mottolino, Monte della Neve, Degli Amanti (the longest run, top to bottom)

Livigno ski resort is located in a duty-free enclave high in Italy's Lombardy region, close to the border with Switzerland. Generally promoted as an ideal destination for beginners, Livigno is also a good choice for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, particularly for those on a budget and those who enjoy lively apres ski.

There are two separate ski areas at Livigno, one on either side of the valley: the bigger of the two is Costaccia-Carosello 3000, whose gentle base-area slopes spread out along almost the entire western edge of the resort; the other is the Mottolino area to the east, a tedious walk or ski-bus journey away from the slopes of the former area.

The Costaccia and Carosello 3000 sectors are linked at altitude along the ridge that separates Livigno from the neighbouring Federia Valley; mirroring the linear nature of the village the layout of the link also follows a narrow arrangement, with a long blue piste that cruises counter to the line of the fast chairlift that provides the key uplift connection.

The majority of the pistes are mid-range reds, with a couple of short black runs providing a slightly more testing workout for progressing intermediates; the pick of the runs are the long descents from the Carosello sector down to the base area at San Rocco.

On the opposite side of the valley, the Mottolino ski area again covers a ridge which mirrors the linear layout of the resort below, but with the added dimension of slopes down to the linked hamlet of Trepalle in the next valley. From the highest point, on Monte Della Neve, there's a continuous route that runs north all the way to the opposite end of the ridge and then down to the base area at Teola, a long and scenic excursion manageable by competent novices.

The toughest slopes are the cluster of fair black runs off Monte Della Neve that take the fall line down the side of the valley towards Teola; all other slopes are enjoyable mid-range reds. The snowpark at Mottolino, on the slopes above Trepalle, is the biggest of three at Livigno and offers two halfpipes, a good range of rails and boxes, plus some monstrous kickers and jumps.

Whereas there are plenty of open powder slopes and freeride possibilities within and surrounding both ski areas, off-piste riding is only permitted in certain areas on the Mottolino side and only when accompanied by a local guide.

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Filmed on GoPro HERO7 Black.
Feb-Mar 2019.

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