Livigno Freeride Ski Tour
Skiing the Little Tibet of Europe, plus Santa Caterina & Bormio
Welcome to Livigno, a once well-kept secret! Less popular than the big resorts of the Dolomites or Valle d'Aosta, Livigno is nevertheless a prime destination for freeride skiing in the Italian Alps. With its 100km2 of wild territory perched between 1,800m and 2,900m altitude, Livigno is even nicknamed the “Little Tibet” of Europe because of its usually exceptional snow cover. In short, this little 'duty-free' enclave of the Italian Alps bordering Switzerland is an incredible playground for free-riders!
On this freeride ski trip, not only do you explore the fabulous snow & terrain of Livigno, but also the massive descents in Bormio, and the secret stashes of one of Powderhounds' favourites, Santa Caterina & surrounding peaks. Join a fixed-date tour through January to March as a single or group, or create a custom tour to suit your best dates & group size. Let's go ....
Tour Highlights
Over 6 fantastic days, this ski tour's highlights include:
- Discover Livigno: Europe's “Little Tibet”!
- Freeride descents of up to 1,800m vertical.
- Beautiful mountains, and wild valleys.
- Ski incredible, varied terrain (incl. tree skiing) with unique off-piste itineraries in untracked snow.
- Explore three great Italian ski resorts & neighbouring peaks in safety with your own guide for the duration of the tour.
- Small group size of 5-7 participants.
- Comfortable 3-star hotel accommodation.
- Fine Italian cuisine included.
- Shop duty-free in Livigno - if that is your thing!
- Hassle-free. Everything is arranged for you! The tour minibus is used to get around and about, and if you've rented gear, it'll be handed over upon your arrival.
Skiing & Itinerary
Everything about skiing in Livigno is memorable. 360° panoramas are incredible from easy accessed summits. The skiing possibilities are immense! Start out on the lifts of Livigno and skinning up Monte della Neve where itineraries leading down to the Trapelle valley with a tasty 6-800m of vertical drop. From the Carosello gondola in Livigno, the famous Pizzo Cantone provides countless wild itineraries in the area, as do the forest routes in nearby Val Fereira.
After 3½ days skiing near Livigno, the tour heads across to discover the village of Santa Caterina and the wide gullies, couloirs, plus open and vast snowfields around the summit of Mont Sobretta (3,296m) where descents of no less than 1,800m vertical are possible. Then in Bormio explore the famous “Canale di Camoscio” with its 1,500m vertical drop and the “Il Vallone” or “Posto degli Sciatori” itineraries, which offer long descents in a wild setting.
For detailed info on the full program, see the Itinerary tab.
Accommodation & Meals
During the trip, the group will spend the first 3-nights’ accommodation in Livigno, and the final 2-nights in Santa Caterina. All lodging is in 3-star hotels, with rooms on a twin-share basis with private bathroom & toilets. Bed sheets and towels are supplied. Single rooms may be available for a supplementary tariff, according to availability.
Breakfast and dinner are included on the tour and are served at each hotel, but drinks are not included (available at bar prices). Lunches are not included, leaving all options open for the group to choose where participants wish to have lunch. Food is one the highlights of ski trips in Italy and the guides know all the good trattorias and other small hideouts... Just trust them! Snacks: details are important, especially after such demanding physical effort ! The tour operator has chosen to supply tasty, high-quality cereal bars for these trips.
Pre and post the tour, if travelling directly to Livigno, it may be best to book accommodation. Check out our Livigno Accommodation page for info on where to stay.
Guides & Group Size
All guides are fully certified mountain guides with extensive local ski & mountaineering experience. They are chosen for their sympathy & understanding of clients’ needs/wishes, plus their teaching and organisational skills. They stay tuned-in, work hand in hand, and make sure their working conditions are the best. The maximum number of guests per guide/tour group will be 7, but may be as low as 5, depending on conditions.
Technical & Personal Requirements*
Ski Ability & Gear
You should be at ease with skiing on all types of snow off the piste. The group will ski at a good pace all day long. Beware slopes may include short, steep sections. Skinning involved will be generally no more than 45min to 1hr per day, but one day it may be 2½hr. You are not expected to be a master of ski touring techniques!
All ski gear can be rented, but if you have your freeride ski gear including skins, please bring it. Avalanche safety gear is included in the tour price.
Fitness
Good physical condition is required, skinning or short ascents on foot will generally not exceed 45 min/day. You should be prepared to ski all day long at a good pace.
*Good to know: if you don't have the level required, the guide may ask you to leave if necessary for the well-being of the rest of the group. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to ask!
Ski Lifts
For reasons of possible modification of the program according to conditions, lift passes are not included in the price. You will be responsible for purchasing them during your stay. For the sake of flexibility during your stay, lift passes will be purchased locally, so that in the event of poor conditions at one of the resorts we can easily make transfers to get the right conditions where they are. You should budget up to €300 for ski lift passes, but the reality will likely be less than that.
Meeting Point(s) & Transport
The meeting point for the tour is at one of a number of locations:
- From France (Cervières or Briançon) early in the morning (from 6am).
- Turin Airport (TRN) (8am).
- Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) (10am).
- Directly at the hotel in Livigno (2.30pm).
Arrival in Livigno is expected in the early afternoon of the first day. If you're travelling by car, meet at the hotel meeting point, where you'll be able to leave your car for the entire trip. From the meeting point, all transport during the tour (other than the ski lifts) is included in the tour tariff. Azimut's minibus is used throughout the whole trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and open: the group can chat, sleep and listen to your own music! For more info on the day to day, see the Itinerary tab.
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