Alpine excellence for outdoor experiences, Livigno is the ideal destination for an unforgettable stay, where the high quality of services offered to tourists and locals is combined with the resort's concern for the environment and its strong green soul. During the summer season, it is not difficult to come across the imposing white mountain on Livigno's central plateau, clearly visible during a relaxing walk along the cycle/pedestrian path.
This is the Snowfarm, where an innovative method of storing snow is used to collect the snow after heavy winter snowfalls. The technique involves firstly collection, between March and April, both the natural and the programmed snow from the season's artificial snowmaking; in this period the snow is stored in the central plain. This is where a mountain of snow is built, covered first with sawdust, which insulates the summer air temperature, and then with a geothermal blanket that reflects the sun's rays. These two tools prevent and counteract melting, since they act on environmental factors such as wind and temperature, which alone cause 80% of the transformation of snow into water. Once the covering is complete, the snow remains to rest for the summer months. On average, around 80,000 square metres of snow are stored each year.
This technique has an important green aspect, as it saves a considerable amount of energy for the snowmaking in the coming winter season.
Snowfarm reduces the use of artificial snow, conserving part of the snow from winter precipitation, the snowmaking system will only be activated when necessary, thus saving resources used in the production process.
Some of the snow that is collected and stored is used at the end of August to create exciting events such as the traditional Palio delle Contrade, which will not be possible this year due to anti-Covid measures.
Aimed the genuine Livigno locals in traditional dress who compete to defend the colours of the 8 contrade, the Palio is the annual appointment with the 1km cross-country race that takes place in the streets of the town centre, covered in snow for the occasion, which is also flanked by the 1KShot, in which athletes from the World Cup cross-country and biathlon World Cup athletes partecipates.
The central plateau of Livigno, where the Snowfarm is located, is also the starting point of the cross-country ski run, which is prepared every year in October. Without additional transport costs the remaining snow will be used for the preparation of the first loop.
Snowfarm therefore allows the official start of the cross-country skiing season much earlier than in other European winter resorts. The route is usually ready by the third week in October, enabling the resort to host numerous teams of cross-country skiers and biathletes from all over the world for the autumn preparation for World Cup races.
Livigno is appreciated by the teams not only for the altitude, but also for the quality of the snow, which already at the end of October is very similar to the winter snow on which they will compete. Among the teams that have chosen Livigno in autumn are the national teams of Sweden, Norway (the strongest national cross-country ski team in the world, which chose Livigno as destination for all its teams), France, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain (who chooses Livigno also for the biathlon), but also the Japanese national cross-country team and an athlete from Polynesia.
The snowfarming technique, together with the climate of its 1816 metres, allows the resort to boast one of the longest winter seasons in Italy, starting at the end of the winter season, one of the longest winter seasons in Italy, starting at the end of October and ending in May.
The Snowfarm Project is part of the eco-sustainable initiatives undertaken to transform the Little Tibet into a true "green" jewel. Already last year, thanks to the partnership with Repower, Livigno has already put into operation five Repower PALINA, the columns for the simultaneous recharge of electric vehicles, in addition to the already existing Repower BITTAs for quick and easy charging of e-bikes, positioned along the cycle path and trails.
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