When the 2026 Winter Olympics arrived in northern Italy, many visitors naturally focused on the famous resorts around Cortina d’Ampezzo. But for freestyle ski fans, the real action was happening in a very different place: Livigno.

Livigno hosted the freestyle cluster of the Games — including Big Air and moguls — and as someone who has always had a soft spot for freestyle skiing, that’s exactly where I spent most of my Olympic adventure.

It turned out to be one of the most fun and memorable Olympic experiences I’ve had.

A Proper Olympic Start: Hospitality and a Bit of History

*Olympic Hospitality showcasing the torch*

Before heading out to the competition, I had access to the Olympic hospitality area.

This added a surprisingly special layer to the experience. Beyond the food and drinks (which are always welcome before standing outside in alpine temperatures), there was also a small exhibition on the history of the Winter Olympics.

It’s one thing to watch the Games on television — it’s another to stand in front of Olympic torches, memorabilia, and displays showing how the Games have evolved over the decades. It really puts the whole event into perspective.

And, of course, being able to grab a drink and something warm to eat before heading out into the stadium certainly didn’t hurt.

Women’s Big Air: One of the Best Events of the Games

The highlight of the trip was easily the Women’s Big Air competition.

Big Air is one of the most spectacular events in freestyle skiing: athletes launch themselves off a massive jump and throw tricks that seem to defy physics — spins, flips, and grabs that require incredible precision and courage.

Watching it live is completely different from watching it on TV. The scale of the jump, the speed of the athletes, and the atmosphere in the crowd make it electric.

And yes — I even managed to grab a quick selfie with Eileen Gu, one of the biggest stars in freestyle skiing. A pretty cool Olympic moment.

Skiing in Livigno: High, Snow-Sure, and Better Than You Might Expect

Livigno itself is an interesting ski destination.

*Plenty of opportunities for backcountry*

The resort sits high in the Alps, and new lift infrastructure now whisks skiers up to around 3,000 metres in surprisingly little time. That altitude gives Livigno one major advantage: excellent snow reliability.

Yes, it can be windy up there — but the trade-off is consistently good snow conditions.

The ski area isn’t enormous compared with mega-resorts like Zermatt or Verbier, but it’s very enjoyable:

Some genuinely good on-piste cruising
Plenty of fun terrain for strong skiers
A few excellent off-piste opportunities when conditions line up

And of course, if freestyle skiing is your thing, Livigno has long been famous for its snowparks, which is one of the reasons the Olympics chose it for freestyle events.

Italian Food Everywhere (And Very Good)

Another reason Livigno is such a fun destination: the food.

There’s a huge variety of restaurants across the village and on the mountain, and the standard is exactly what you’d expect in Italy — very high.

Think:

fresh pasta
polenta and alpine cheeses
hearty mountain dishes
excellent Italian wines

It’s the kind of place where a long lunch on a sunny terrace can easily turn into one of the highlights of the day.

Duty-Free Livigno: Surprisingly Affordable Drinks

One thing that surprises many visitors: Livigno is a duty-free zone.

This historic tax exemption means alcohol (and many other goods) can be significantly cheaper than elsewhere in Italy or Switzerland.

The result?

Livigno is a fantastic place to enjoy:

great Italian wines
local grappas and spirits
relaxed après-ski drinks

And without the prices you might expect in a typical alpine resort.

Remote — But That’s Part of the Magic

Livigno isn’t the easiest place to reach.

Tucked high in a remote Alpine valley near the Swiss border, getting there usually involves winding mountain roads or a drive through one of the region’s long tunnels.

But that isolation is exactly what makes it special.

Livigno feels a little different from the big-name resorts — a bit wilder, a bit more authentic, and during the Olympics, buzzing with energy from freestyle fans and athletes from around the world.

Planning Your Own Olympic Ski Adventure

Experiencing the Olympics in the mountains is something truly unique — combining world-class sport, great skiing, and the festive atmosphere that only the Games can create.

At Expeditioner Travel, we specialise in designing tailor-made ski and Olympic travel experiences, including:

curated ski trips to unique destinations like Livigno
VIP hospitality access to major sporting events
combining Olympic events with exceptional skiing and gastronomy

And with the 2030 Winter Olympics already on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your next Olympic ski adventure.

If you’d like help planning a trip — whether it’s skiing in Livigno, attending the Olympics, or exploring some of the best ski destinations in Europe — we would be delighted to help.

Because some places in the Alps are a little harder to reach.

But they’re often the ones most worth discovering.

Experiencing the Olympics in Livigno