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Livigno starts the winter season with the opening of the cross-country skiing track

The starting signal for the cross-country skiing track in Livigno is already given in October thanks to "snowfarming"!

8 October 2021


For many years, the opening of the cross-country ski trail has been regarded as the start of the Winter season in Livigno in Italy. Thanks to the preservation of last winter's snow, amateurs and professionals can train on a natural snow cross-country trail as early as mid-October. For this purpose, 50,000 cubic meters of snow were preserved throughout the summer.

Cross country skiing in October

What is otherwise only conceivable on glaciers is nevertheless possible in Livigno thanks to its altitude of 1,816 meters and energy-saving snow farming technology. In order to start the winter season as early as October, the snow was preserved in spring with the help of a geothermal shell and a layer of sawdust. As a result, part of the total of 30 kilometers of cross-country ski trails on Livigno's central plateau is available to professional and amateur cross-country skiers as a training trail long before the first snowfall.

"Snowfarming" makes cross-country skiing possible as early as sunny October. Credit: APT Livigno

Snowfarming saves a lot of energy compared to artificial snowmaking. The storage of the snow in the valley also means that the transport route to the slopes is extremely short. Numerous national teams use the good conditions and the high altitude of Livigno as a training start. The opening of the cross-country ski trail has been the starting signal for the winter season there for many years.

Traditional race in December

500 international athletes and amateurs will then open the racing season on the trails of Livigno on December 4. In the framework of the 31. Sgambeda Cross Country Races a total of 35 km in free technique are on the program.

The Sgambeda cross-country race. Credit: APT Livigno

Ski pass included in Livigno

All those who can't wait for the winter season to finally start are in the right place in Livigno. Thanks to the perfect location, snow is guaranteed from the end of November until the beginning of May. For the official start of the ski season from 27 November to 17 December 2021, the ski pass is available for a minimum stay of four nights in a hotel or seven nights in one of the participating apartments. Ski pass included for the whole stay.

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