This location, known as the “Little Tibet” due to its altitude of around 2000 metres, has become an international point of reference for MTB lovers, thanks above all to the unique offer of the Mottolino Bike Park.
From the 1993 Italian Championships to the present day
The history of Mottolino in the world of MTB begins in the 90s. My first visit dates back to the Italian Championships of 1993: a time when mountain biking was still in its infancy, and a young Pippo Marani was still competing. Since then, Mottolino has made great strides, definitively consecrating itself with the 2005 World Championship. That championship, won by Fabien Barel on a path drawn by Conrad Herin, marked the beginning of a new era for Livigno, which has been able to invest strategically to become a reference destination for thousands of bikers every year.
The Evolution of Mottolino Bike Park
To better understand how this location has been able to renew itself and grow over time, we interviewed Ian Rocca, one of the faces behind the success of Mottolino.
Ian, how do you rate the season just ended?
"We are very satisfied. We have consolidated our position and we continue to work to expand the offer, with increasing attention to beginners. It is not a change of strategy, but an evolution: Mottolino has always been synonymous with freeride and downhill, but now we are also targeting novice bikers.”
So you are investing in beginner courses?
“Exactly. MTB has become an increasingly mature phenomenon, with a more diverse audience and many new enthusiasts. For them, having accessible trails is essential. Our goal is to ensure continuity: today's beginners will be tomorrow's expert riders.”
A bike park for all levels
Today, the Mottolino Bike Park counts 14 tracks, a track North Shore, an area Jump and a dedicated team of shapers who work constantly to keep each line in tip-top condition.
Ian, how do you manage the work of the shapers? Are they volunteers?
“All our shapers are employees. It is essential for us to have professionals who guarantee excellent service and impeccable maintenance throughout the season.”
Another question regarding the trails, often the construction of the tracks is ostracized by various committees, what is the situation like in your area?
An often critical aspect for bike parks is the relationship with institutions and local communities. But in Livigno, the situation is different:
“We have always maintained an open dialogue with everyone. The institutions, in particular, have understood the value of the project for the territory and actively support us.”
Who are the Mottolino bikers?
The identikit of the Mottolino frequenter has changed over the years. If in the past the target was mainly composed of expert riders, today the audience is wider. “The average age varies from 14 to 60, with a similar audience, in terms of age group, to that of skiing. However, skiers and bikers remain largely two separate worlds, even if there is no lack of loyal fans who frequent both the bike park in the summer and the snow park in the winter.”
Speaking of loyal customers, how important is local tourism for you?
The geographical position from this point of view does not help us much, as I was saying we have a fan base but most of the bikers stay at least 3 nights with us, so we can say that we have a strong presence of tourists who come and stay in town at least 3 days.
A deseasonalization model
Mottolino is today a virtuous example of how a mountain resort can develop a successful tourist product even outside the winter season. Livigno has managed to transform itself into a popular destination for sportsmen, offering a high-quality experience both on the snow and on the bike park trails.
Info: https://www.mottolino.com/estate/
