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Alta Valtellina Ski Holidays
There's something pretty great about a ski destination that most British skiers have never heard of.
Whilst the hordes descend upon the usual suspects - Méribel, Val d'Isère, St Anton - a quiet corner of the Italian Alps has been getting on with things rather nicely, thank you very much. Alta Valtellina, tucked into Lombardy's northeastern reaches where Italy kisses Switzerland, is about to have its moment. The 2026 Winter Olympics will see to that. But for now, if you're quick, you can still experience this extraordinary collection of resorts before everyone else cottons on.
Alta Valtellina isn't a single resort but rather a quartet of distinct skiing personalities, each with its own character and charm. Bormio brings history and prestige - this is where Roman legionaries once soaked their weary bodies in thermal springs, and where modern Olympians will tackle some of the most fearsome downhill courses in the world come 2026. Livigno, meanwhile, sits at the opposite end of the spectrum: duty-free, sprawling, and nicknamed "Little Tibet" for its high-altitude plateau setting. Then there's Santa Caterina Valfurva, the quiet one of the family, offering technical terrain and tree-lined runs without the crowds. Finally, Cima Piazzi-San Colombano rounds out the quartet with family-friendly slopes and year-round activities.
What links them all is the Alta Valtellina regional ski pass, which grants access to approximately 225km of marked pistes and over 60 lifts. It's a sensible bit of joined-up thinking that allows you to explore the entire area without the faff of multiple passes or ticket windows. The region borders Switzerland to the north, and you can feel that influence in everything from the architecture to the occasional appearance of Swiss francs in local wallets.
Ski across endless diverse terrain in the massive Alta Valtellina, linking world-class spots like Livigno and Bormio
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
Mountain Facts
Let's talk numbers, because Alta Valtellina has some rather impressive ones. The vertical drop at Bormio alone measures 1,787m of continuous descent - one of the most substantial in the Alps. To put that in perspective, it's the sort of run that makes your quads bu,rn and your grin widen with every turn. The highest point across the region reaches 3,012m at Cima Bianca, meaning you're skiing at genuinely high altitude with all the snow reliability and lung-challenging atmosphere that entails.
Those 225km of piste are spread across varied terrain, from wide motorway blues perfect for building confidence to genuinely challenging blacks that'll test even accomplished skiers. The lift infrastructure has seen significant investment ahead of the Olympics, with modern gondolas and high-speed chairs replacing older systems. It's not quite the slick, corporate efficiency of some French mega-resorts, but there's a charm to the Italian approach - a bit more character, a bit less queue-jumping stress.
Snow conditions in Alta Valtellina
One of Alta Valtellina's trump cards is its snow reliability. High altitude helps enormously - Livigno, for instance, sits at around 1,800m at village level, with skiing reaching well above 3,000m. The season typically runs from late November through to May, an impressively long window by anyone's standards.
The region benefits from what meteorologists call "return of the east" snow patterns - essentially, weather systems that dump significant snowfall across these particular mountains. Historically, this has meant consistent natural coverage throughout winter. But the organisers of the 2026 Olympics aren't taking any chances. Nearly 80% of the main slopes now have snowmaking capability, ensuring that regardless of what the weather gods deliver, the pistes will be in prime condition when the world's cameras turn up.
North-facing slopes dominate much of the terrain, so the snow that does fall tends to stick rather than melt under the southern sun. If you've ever skied on that perfect, grippy, north-facing snow on a bluebird day, you'll know exactly why this matters.
Skiing in Alta Valtellina
The star attraction - at least for advanced skiers - is undoubtedly the Stelvio slope in Bormio. This is the legendary World Cup downhill run, a beast of a course that will host the men's alpine events at the 2026 Games. Steep, technical, and when raced, genuinely icy, it's the sort of run that separates the confident from the truly capable. Even if you're not tackling it at race pace, there's something thrilling about skiing the same terrain where Olympic medals will be won and lost.
Santa Caterina Valfurva offers a different proposition. Named after Olympic champion Deborah Compagnoni (a local hero), the main run here is technical and rewarding, winding through beautiful tree-lined sections that provide shelter on windy days. The whole area has a quieter, more contemplative feel - perfect if you fancy escaping the busier slopes of Bormio or Livigno.
For cross-country enthusiasts, Santa Caterina also boasts over 40km of Nordic trails, rated among the best in Italy. The trails wind through pristine forests and across high mountain plateaus, offering the peculiarly meditative quality of Nordic skiing. If you've never tried it, Alta Valtellina makes a compelling case for giving it a go.
Livigno's skiing is perhaps the most varied, with terrain spread across two main areas connected by an efficient lift system. The runs here tend to be wider and more forgiving than Bormio's challenging slopes, making it excellent territory for intermediates looking to clock up the kilometres. The high altitude means conditions remain excellent even late in the season.
Ready to book your dream ski holiday? Call 0203 011 1222 to chat.
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Snowboarding in Alta Valtellina
Whilst Bormio caters primarily to traditionalist skiers, Livigno has embraced snowboarding culture with enthusiasm. The Mottolino Fun Mountain is one of Europe's premier snowparks, complete with an Olympic-sized halfpipe, progressive jump lines, and rail sections that'll keep freestylers occupied for days. It's the sort of setup that attracts a younger, more diverse crowd - expect to hear more English, Swedish, and Dutch than Italian on the chairlifts.
The ‘Little Tibet’ moniker isn't just about altitude. Livigno's unique geography creates excellent freeride opportunities, with accessible off-piste terrain that doesn't require helicopter drops or extensive hiking. Obviously, the usual caveats apply - hire a guide, carry the proper safety equipment, stay aware of your avalanche risk - but the options are genuinely exciting for competent freeriders.
For those who prefer on-piste snowboarding, the wide, high-altitude runs at Bormio 3000 are perfect for carving. There's something deeply satisfying about laying down a proper carved turn on a perfectly groomed Italian piste as the sun catches the surrounding peaks.
Accommodation in Alta Valtellina
Bormio offers the most traditional Italian mountain experience, with historic townhouses converted into hotels and genuine luxury options, while Livigno's accommodation tends towards the practical - traditional wooden chalets and ski-in, ski-out apartments that prioritise function over frills. The smaller villages, like Valdidentro, offer guesthouse accommodation at considerably lower prices while maintaining good access to the slopes via the free ski bus system.
Things to do in Alta Valtellina
Après-ski in Alta Valtellina
Italian après-ski operates on a rather more civilised schedule than the Austrian oom-pah-band-and-Jägermeister approach. Things kick off with a late-afternoon spritz or Aperol at a slope-side bar, then evolve into a proper meal (Italians take their food seriously), before perhaps a digestif at a local bar.
- Motte, near the Le Motte slopes, is perfect for that mid-afternoon pit stop or end-of-day wind-down.
- Bar Scala d'Oro represents classic local après culture - unassuming, authentic, and full of actual Italians rather than tourists doing shots.
- For something more refined, Bar Lord Byron offers sophisticated cocktails in a relaxed environment.
- Bar Bormio - House of Switzerland on Via Roma will be the official Swiss hub during the Olympics, promising a lively atmosphere and that particular brand of Swiss hospitality that combines efficiency with genuine warmth. Even before the games, it's worth a visit - and will definitely remain so well after.
- For food, Pizza da Lollo delivers exactly what it promises - proper Italian pizza in casual surroundings.
- For the authentic Valtellinese experience, Ristorante Vecchia Combo is unmissable. Their pizzoccheri - buckwheat pasta with cabbage, potatoes, and mountains of cheese - is the sort of hearty mountain food that makes you understand why Italian ski culture developed the way it did.
Facilities in Alta Valtellina
Beyond the skiing, Alta Valtellina's facilities punch well above their weight. The three thermal spa centres - QC Terme Bagni Vecchi, Bagni Nuovi, and Bormio Terme - aren't tourist gimmicks. These are serious wellness centres built around natural thermal springs that have been valued since ancient Roman times. After a few days of hard skiing, an afternoon alternating between hot pools and cold plunges feels less like luxury and more like essential maintenance.
Transport is remarkably well organised, with a free ski bus system linking the main villages and lift bases. It's the sort of thoughtful infrastructure that makes a skiing holiday considerably less stressful, particularly for families juggling equipment and small children.
Livigno's duty-free status remains a genuine draw, particularly for those interested in perfumes, alcohol, and electronics. The savings are real enough to make it worth factoring in some shopping time, though obviously you're here for the skiing first and foremost.
Facilities for children in Alta Valtellina
Family facilities are excellent across the region. The Family Bob - a year-round rail toboggan in the Cima Piazzi area - provides entertainment for days when young legs are too tired for more skiing or when you simply fancy trying something different. It's proper fun regardless of age.
Dedicated baby parks and snow playgrounds take the pressure off parents trying to teach very young children. The ‘miniclub’ services, such as those at Hotel 3 Signori, offer supervised activities that let parents enjoy more challenging runs without guilt.
Ski schools across all four sectors provide multi-lingual instruction with specialised kids' camps. The instructors understand that keeping children engaged and enjoying themselves is the key to developing lifelong skiers, and the approach reflects that philosophy.
Why choose a ski holiday to Alta Valtellina with Erna Low?
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
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Experience Italy’s biggest vertical drop and relax in ancient Roman thermal baths after a day on the high-altitude slopes!
Jane Bolton, Product Director
