Winter Games Hit Pause as Livigno Becomes a Snowy Wonderland
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games experienced a temporary halt in its freestyle and snowboard events in Livigno on Monday, as the picturesque Italian alpine village was blanketed by over a metre of fresh snowfall. This unexpected deluge transformed the already stunning landscape into a serene, snowy paradise, offering a welcome period of quiet following a thrilling weekend of elite athletic performances.
Organisers, anticipating the potential for inclement weather, had proactively rescheduled the men’s and women’s snowboard slopestyle qualification heats to the preceding day. This foresight proved beneficial as the heavy snow descended.
Meanwhile, the men’s slalom competition, held in the nearby town of Bormeo, approximately 40 kilometres away, proceeded as scheduled. However, the challenging conditions significantly impacted the athletes, with a staggering 53 out of 95 starters failing to finish the course, and an additional three being disqualified. The majority of these retirements, 49 in total, occurred during the first round. Notably, the giant slalom gold medallist Lucas Pinheiro Braathen was among those who did not finish, while the leader after the first run, Atle Lie McGrath, crashed out in the second.
Eritrea’s Shannon Abeda commented on the difficulties, stating, “I wouldn’t say it’s the course itself. It’s the conditions… Then everyone is pushing the line and that’s what happens in slalom.”
Delays and cancellations due to snow are not uncommon in winter sports. This phenomenon was also witnessed at the 2022 Beijing Games, where blizzards disrupted events in the mountain resort of Zhangjiakou.
However, the rescheduling of the freeski qualifiers did not sit well with all athletes. Chinese skier Eileen Gu expressed her disappointment at missing a crucial halfpipe training session, which was moved to coincide with her big air final. Gu voiced her concerns on social media, arguing, “Daring to be the only woman to compete in three events should not be penalised — making finals in one event should not disadvantage me in another. What kind of message does this send to future athletes who love skiing for its essence and want to compete in every event? This was a totally avoidable issue and I am saddened by the hardline stance FIS has chosen to take.”
Others, however, adapted to the changes with a more pragmatic approach. New Zealand’s Sydney-born snowboard star Zoi Sadowski Synott shared her initial stress upon learning of the rescheduled qualifiers but ultimately embraced the nature of the sport. “But those changes come with our sport,” she said. “We deal with the weather so much, so we just had to roll with it. Again, so grateful that we got good weather to ride in.”
As the snow continued to fall throughout Monday morning, it was easy to understand the sentiment. The significant snowfall is a hallmark of Livigno and contributes to one of its most unique characteristics.
Livigno: A Unique Alpine Enclave
Livigno, now a thriving tourism hub for both summer and winter activities, has a history shaped by its relative isolation. Historically, poverty was a challenge for the region, partly due to its remoteness. Currently, only two main routes connect Livigno to the outside world: one leading to Italy via the scenic Foscagno Pass, and another to Switzerland through the Munt la Schera Tunnel. A third route, the Forcola di Livigno, is accessible only during the summer months.
This isolation led to Livigno being granted a special tax status by the historical Austrian Empire, a privilege that continues to this day under Italian rule. This status means that many goods, including alcohol, are exempt from value-added tax (VAT). While income tax is still payable, rendering it not a true tax haven, the arrangement creates an unusual situation for visitors. Upon departing Livigno, travellers will encounter a customs checkpoint, a reminder of its distinct economic standing.
The heavy snowfall significantly reduced visibility in the valley, completely obscuring the surrounding majestic mountains. Despite the challenging weather, many of the holidaymakers and fans who have flocked to Livigno, boosting its population from its usual 7,000 to over 30,000, braved the elements to enjoy the slopes.
For those venturing out, especially without adequate footwear, the conditions were treacherous. The compacted snow made surfaces slick and footing precarious. Adding to the potential hazards were the numerous heavy trucks navigating the icy streets, working diligently to clear paths for residents. A coordinated effort involving various machinery and personnel was underway, with snow being piled high before being transported away by truck.
Beyond the Snow: Livigno’s Year-Round Appeal
Livigno has firmly established itself as a premier destination for adventure sports. Its altitude of 1,800 metres makes it an ideal training ground for professional cyclists. Australian cyclist Michael Matthews, for instance, has reportedly owned a property in Livigno and frequented its local speciality coffee shops, which are noted for serving quality flat whites – a rarity in many parts of Italy. His appreciation for the local café was so great that he even signed a jersey and left it as a memento on the wall.
Remarkably, Livigno’s commitment to snow sports extends beyond the winter months. In an astonishing feat, the town hosts a 1-kilometre cross-country ski sprint down its main street in the heart of August, during the peak of summer.
The secret to this summer snow event lies in Livigno’s innovative “snow farm.” According to local officials, snow is meticulously stored in the village’s central plain. To preserve it, the snow is insulated with layers of sawdust and then covered with a geo-textile sheet designed to reflect the sun’s rays.
The abundance of snow present on Monday meant that sliding down the main street, whether by design or by chance, on skis or on foot, was a readily available activity. This will likely continue to be the case when competition is set to resume this evening with the women’s freeski big air event at the Livigno Snow Park.
