A host of winter activities as alternatives to skiing
Livigno in winter is the most popular ski destination in the Alps. As the winter season opens in December, this resort in the Upper Valtellina is literally besieged by winter sports enthusiasts flocking to the tens of kilometres of snowy pistes of all levels and lift facilities on both sides of the valley, as well as in the town centre.
What about non-skiers? Alternatives to skiing in Livigno are certainly not lacking: here are some things to do if you are not a skier or you just fancy trying something different.
Learning to ski in Livigno
There is no better opportunity to learn to ski than a holiday in Livigno. In the town, there are numerous teaching areas and ski schools where you can familiarise yourself with this sport and have some ski lessons. The Hotel Carpe Diem directly overlooks the Campo Scuola Livigno area, where ski instructors guide children and beginners through their first runs on the snow. It is never too late – or too early – to start!
Try other kinds of skiing
The Livigno Ski Area offers a large number of pistes and trails for traditional downhill ski enthusiasts as well as extensive opportunities for other kinds of skiing, such as:
- cross-country skiing in Livigno on a 30 km piste which opens as early as mid-October using snow conserved from the previous season, winding through the long valley of Livigno in a breathtaking spectacle of nature and used by professional athletes to train for races;
- ski touring on managed trails in the Livigno valley, exploring peaks and picturesque areas, wearing skis both uphill and downhill, either by yourself or on tours accompanied by alpine guides;
- biathlon, the famous winter sport combining cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, at Livigno’s biathlon range;
- freeriding in the off-piste or ski gliding on the Livigno snow (Feel the Sky paragliding), for those who love the most exciting and adrenaline-fuelled sports.
Hiking and snowshoeing in Livigno
Those not enticed by the idea of putting on skis or a snowboard have the option of going trekking on the snow in Livigno, with or without snowshoes for walking on snowy paths. There are no less than seven snowshoeing trails in Livigno, of varying difficulty levels, winding along the valley floor and on the surrounding mountain slopes, reaching places of unspoilt beauty through snowy woods and offering fairytale views. Those who prefer simply hiking on the snow in Livigno can take advantage of the Winter Trail, a beaten track leading from the town centre (near the Hotel Carpe Diem in the pedestrian area) to various points in the valley.
Riding fat bikes on the snow
You can go cycling in winter, too, even on the snow. With fat bikes, available to rent in many Livigno locations, you can go cycling on snowy trails: in winter, Livigno’s cycle and pedestrian path is transformed into a fat bike route stretching from the lake to the other side, along with other tracks and paths ideal for guided tours.
Fun and activities in the snow for children
Family holidays in Livigno are perfect for children of all ages because, in addition to skiing, Livigno offers a wealth of experiences for younger visitors, for instance:
- walking with llamas, sweet, docile animals that love the cold and are available for treks in the Tresenda locality;
- horse-drawn sleigh ride, a picturesque and scenic tour among the snowy Alps for all the family;
- ice skating at the Ice Arena, Livigno’s ice rink in the town centre where you can hire skates and have fun slipping – and likely falling! – on the ice;
- playing in the snow in every possible way a child’s imagination can conceive: in Livigno’s playgrounds, at the Kinder Club Lupigno near the Carpe Diem family hotel, on sledges or simply rolling around in the snow.
Explore all family activities in Livigno
Spa relaxation in and around Livigno
Wellness lovers will be unable to resist a taking time out to relax during their holiday in Livigno to revitalise body and spirit. The best place is Aquagranda, Livigno’s swimming pool and wellness centre with a spa path featuring hydromassage pools, therapeutic showers, sauna and Turkish bath, as well as a fun area with slides and pools for children, guaranteed to delight younger visitors. From Livigno, you can also quickly reach the spas in Bormio, whose Old and New Thermal Baths make it one of the most famous spa locations in the Alps: a perfect wellness experience featuring pools and steam baths. Adventure lovers can set out on foot and reach the ‘vasche di Leonardo’, Bormio’s natural rock pools near the Old Baths where the hot spring water rises naturally from the depths of the mountain to form a stunning hot, open-air pool among the rocks, under the imposing peaks of the Alps.
Book your holiday in the snow in Livigno at the Hotel Carpe Diem
