What's on in Livigno, Italy through the year

Peak crowds — Christmas to Epiphany, Christmas holidays in Italy

• Rule

  Duty-free zone

  1 Jan – 31 Dec

  The valley has been outside the customs and VAT area since 1805, so fuel, alcohol and electronics are markedly cheaper here. There are allowance limits, and customs at Foscagno checks on the way out. Source ↗

Still on: Forcola pass shut for winter (1 Nov – 31 May (usually)), Ski season (25 Nov – 3 May (usually)), Christmas to Epiphany (22 Dec – 7 Jan)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Forcola pass shut for winter (1 Nov – 31 May (usually)), Ski season (25 Nov – 3 May (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Forcola pass shut for winter (1 Nov – 31 May (usually)), Ski season (25 Nov – 3 May (usually))

Busy — Easter holidays in Italy, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Forcola pass shut for winter (1 Nov – 31 May (usually)), Ski season (25 Nov – 3 May (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Forcola pass shut for winter (1 Nov – 31 May (usually)), Ski season (25 Nov – 3 May (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Italy, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Bike and altitude season

  15 Jun – 20 Sep · usuallyTrail season

  Summer here is mountain bike trails and altitude training camps rather than sightseeing, with the lifts running for bikes and the Stelvio a morning's ride away.

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Busy — Summer holidays in Italy, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bike and altitude season (15 Jun – 20 Sep (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Italy, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bike and altitude season (15 Jun – 20 Sep (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Italy, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Between seasons

  25 Sep – 20 NovOff-season shutdownClosures

  Lifts stop, most hotels close and half the shops with them. The valley is a two-hour drive from anywhere and there is no reason to be here in October.

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Bike and altitude season (15 Jun – 20 Sep (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Between seasons (25 Sep – 20 Nov)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Closure

  Forcola pass shut for winter

  1 Nov – 31 May · usually

  The pass into Switzerland over the Bernina side closes for the winter, leaving the Foscagno road and the single-lane Munt la Schera tunnel, which runs to a timetable rather than continuously. Source ↗

• Season

  Ski season

  25 Nov – 3 May · usually

  The valley floor sits high enough to hold snow from late November into early May, which makes this one of the longest reliable seasons in the Italian Alps. Source ↗

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Between seasons (25 Sep – 20 Nov)

Peak crowds — La Sgambeda, Christmas to Epiphany

• Festival

  La Sgambeda

  8–18 Dec · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  The cross-country marathon on the valley-floor loop in mid-December opens the Nordic season, and it fills the town before the alpine skiers arrive. Source ↗

• Holiday

  Christmas to Epiphany

  22 Dec – 7 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  The dearest fortnight of the winter, and the shopping street is as busy as the pistes. The road in over Foscagno queues on changeover Saturdays. Source ↗

Still on: Duty-free zone (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Forcola pass shut for winter (1 Nov – 31 May (usually)), Ski season (25 Nov – 3 May (usually))