Italian Village Brings Summer Snow to Its Centre
Italy’s high-altitude 2026 winter Olympic hosts Livigno has staged it’s annual ‘Gara da li Contrada’ summer cross-country ski event creating a 1km track through the village with snow stockpiled from last winter.
Whilst a growing number of resorts now stockpile some of the previous winter’s snow to use for base building at the start of the following season, a few use the same technique to supply snow for unique summer events.
Italy’s high-altitude 2026 winter Olympic hosts Livigno falls into the latter category, staging it’s annual ‘Gara da li Contrada’ cross-country ski event for the 44th time this week.
The popular event delivers a surreal sight as the village centre in full summer mode lined with flower boxes is transformed into a genuine cross‑country ski track. What is normally a pedestrian zone became a kilometre-long ribbon of real snow, laid out across the streets for an evening where sport, tradition and community pride converge.
Some years the night opens with what’s thought to be the only cross‑country ski race held in August, drawing elite athletes for a high‑intensity 1 km sprint. Crowds pack the barriers as racers tackle tight corners and rapid transitions on the stored snow, turning Livigno’s summer air into a winter‑sport arena.
However for many fans, along with freestyle and snowboard aerial demonstrations and live music performers, there’s also a very popular all-comers race with competitors dressing in historic skiwear.
Residents and visitors lined balconies, doorways and temporary stands to cheering on participants in what has become a major event in Livigno’s cultural calendar.
