Today, for the first time since we arrived in Livigno, the sun poked its head out for the morning. The freezing level has been quite high and while it has been snowing steadily since we arrived, there has not been much accumulation in the village (1800m) - only about 10cm or so. But higher up the mountain, a good 20 - 30cm of light snow has fallen overnight. The Livigno ski resort is split into 2 areas on either side of the valley. To the east, is Mottolino resort (2785m) and on the western side of the village is Carosello at (2797m).
1/ Livigno's great facilities!
The clocks moved forward here last night, but I still managed to be too early for the morning bread run. While I waited for the shops to open, I had a good opportunity to stretch the legs and see a little further into the village.
Livigno is obviously doing well. There are few run-down buildings or signs of neglect. All the buildings are beautifully decorated with Italian friezes, there are also great facilities like a full theatre, convention centres, ice-hockey stadium, skating rinks and climbing wall (with ice-climbing no less!!).
2/ Newer stone & concrete buildings but beautifully decorated with Italian friezes
The early morning start proved to be a stroke of genius! Powder snow! Italians, like the French don't seem to be early risers. Don't you just love that? Freshies all morning on and off-piste! Here's the footage! Actually worth looking at. Cinematography will never be my forte but today I managed to take some half decent footage with a coherent commentary.
3/ The true Telemarker of the Family!
I will confess that I cheated and did not take out the misery sticks ("telemarks") this morning. The snow was too good to be wasted or "tasted" if you know what I mean? Continuing to try the demo skis, I had a run on a Swiss brand called Movement Yakajam's. Mike rented these skis when he visited and loved them. I can understand why. They were so stable on and off-piste. But being 178cm I really had to work pretty hard to drive them....hmmmm. The temptation. I have become quite lazy on my 165cm Dynastar Legends. Maybe it's time to go a bit longer again? The internal debate is sure to continue!
Later in the morning, we spied a large group of telemarkers heading off into the back-country for their excursion. We were really not quite sure how these excursions worked and whether there was an additional charge. Back at the La Skieda headquarters in the afternoon, (a huge sporting/conference centre near the Carosello Gondola), we learned that not only were the excursions free but so were the "telemark" clinics.
What a bargain! Free mountain guiding and lessons?? Sign us up! A ski tour tomorrow morning and a lesson the next afternoon with John Falkiner, an expat Aussie who now lives in Verbier. John is actually a bit of a legend. A serious daredevil in his past, he has been a ski stuntman for numerous films including the James Bond movies.
"Right oh!" Now we are starting to get the "hang of this festival". Just get out there and sign up for everything and see what happens. Tragically our second night at the film festival was a bit of disaster with an horrendous self indulgent german art / ski film. It was so bad we actually left half way through. Fortunately the second film was outstanding and made up for the horrendous German film. If you get a chance to see Powderwhore's "The Pact". - do it. It received a standing ovation!
No late night partying for us tonight ...we have our first ski tour in the morning!!
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