Watching these athletes in action up close has been a great opportunity for technical development. Observing their physical preparation, their attention to detail in training and their race management has provided valuable insights, ready to be incorporated into the teaching programmes at Scuola Sci Centrale Ski School.

Technique: an open-air lesson

The slopes have been transformed into a real classroom for snow sports professionals. The team of eighty qualified instructors was able to observe first-hand the use of edges on hard ice, weight management and landing techniques after big jumps. Seeing athletes of this calibre prepare their equipment and maintain their concentration before the start gate provides invaluable experience.

These observations in the field will be turned into new exercises and progression drills, designed to enhance the quality of the lessons, which are held daily in eight different languages to reflect the resort’s international character.

The competition venues in the Livigno ski areas

The organisers have concentrated the events within state-of-the-art facilities, situated right in the operational areas where the school provides full coverage:

• Livigno Snow Park: located in the Mottolino area, the headquarters for lessons at the cable car base station, it hosted highly technical courses for the Slopestyle and Big Air events.
• Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park (LAM Park): set up at Carosello 3000, a designated meeting point designed to get you started on the slopes without wasting time, it stood out for the complexity of its jumps and moguls.
• Campo Scuola 23: although not involved in the competitions, it remains the main venue for lessons in the pedestrian zone, with a gentle slope perfect for beginners.

Studying balance and aerial movements on these slopes allows the teaching staff to refine their technical expertise, providing pupils with increasingly precise and up-to-date advice.

The Protagonists: Italian Athletes and International Stars

The Italian results have sparked great enthusiasm. The standout achievements were the magnificent bronze medals won by Flora Tabanelli in the women’s Freeski Big Air and by Michela Moioli in the women’s Snowboard Cross. Jole Galli also put in an excellent performance, finishing eighth in the women’s Ski Cross in front of her home crowd.

On the international stage, top-level athletes triumphed. China’s Eileen Gu dominated freestyle with technically flawless runs. In the women’s snowboard Halfpipe, the young Gaon Choi defied the odds to win gold. The men’s Snowboard Cross event was won by Austria’s Alessandro Haemmerle, whilst the men’s Aerials saw China’s Xindi Chang come out on top.

Dealing with the unexpected is part and parcel of working on the snow. Adverse weather conditions demanded flexibility; the women’s freestyle skiing Big Air final was postponed due to a heavy snowstorm, which unfortunately caused injuries to some athletes during training. This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of a safe environment and safety measures, fundamental principles applied in courses right from children’s very first steps.

Experiencing the event: initiatives, hospitality and logistics

Livigno has combined the competitions with logistics designed to preserve the town, ensuring excellent slopes for amateur skiers. Just as the resort has simplified transport, the ski school aims to make its customers’ holidays as hassle-free as possible.

• Fan Village and Champions Celebration: located in the Isola area, it became the hub of fan support, backed by Casa Valtellina for the cultural promotion of the valley. Every afternoon, the "Champions Celebration" event provided an opportunity to cheer on the winners with live music and DJ sets.
• Guaranteed skiing conditions and convenient hire: the resort kept thirty-one lifts in constant operation. Athletes used only the final sections of specific slopes. This allowed lessons to take place as normal and the use of the rental service integrated into Campo Scuola 23, which features secure storage.
• Mobility, traffic and internal agency: to protect the valley, strict traffic restrictions were implemented between 4 and 22 February.
• Support for families: whilst the local area organised educational events for young people, families continued to rely on the Lupigno Kinder Park at Campo Scuola 23. This equipped area guarantees completely safe recreation for children and allows parents to organise themselves independently.

Seeing this level of technical and organisational preparation is deeply inspiring. The energy of the athletes in competition provides the perfect motivation to continue teaching with dedication and to bring that same Olympic spirit to the slopes.