Laax Ski Resort

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Laax ski resort from the top of the Vorab Glacier at 3018m.
Laax ski resort from the top of the Vorab Glacier at 3018m.
Crap Sogn Gion at Laax is straight out of a James Bond movie!
Crap Sogn Gion at Laax is straight out of a James Bond movie!
Modern chairlifts that move plenty of skiers at Laax, Switzerland.
Modern chairlifts that move plenty of skiers at Laax, Switzerland.
Freestylers will love the world
Freestylers will love the world's best terrain parks & superpipes at Laax.
The village of Laax, only 2km from the ski resorts lifts.
The village of Laax, only 2km from the ski resorts lifts.
Laax skiing toward the freeride area beyond Sattel.
Laax skiing toward the freeride area beyond Sattel.
Loads of places to go at Laax ski resort.
Loads of places to go at Laax ski resort.
Laax powder on the way down to Lavadinas.
Laax powder on the way down to Lavadinas.
Heading into the void at Laax ski resort - glorious on a bluebird day.
Heading into the void at Laax ski resort - glorious on a bluebird day.
Alp Sogn Martin bar restaurant is haven at Laax ski resort.
Alp Sogn Martin bar restaurant is haven at Laax ski resort.
For the uninitiated, regular trail map checking is mandatory at Laax.
For the uninitiated, regular trail map checking is mandatory at Laax.
The magician Ami Sabi oversees the three learn to ski areas at Laax.
The magician Ami Sabi oversees the three learn to ski areas at Laax.
Laax ski resort lift system is world class.
Laax ski resort lift system is world class.
Skiing Laax freeride routes can involve some short, worthwhile hikes.
Skiing Laax freeride routes can involve some short, worthwhile hikes.
The best brats in Switzerland at the base of the Lavadinas chair in Laax.
The best brats in Switzerland at the base of the Lavadinas chair in Laax.
Some classic old lifts still exist at Laax, but probably not for long!
Some classic old lifts still exist at Laax, but probably not for long!
The Tucano Bar at Nagens is one of Laax
The Tucano Bar at Nagens is one of Laax's many great drinkeries.
The top of La Siala is the start of a 13km, 1710m vertical run to Flims.
The top of La Siala is the start of a 13km, 1710m vertical run to Flims.
Some people visit Laax just for the snowparks, but there is more to do...
Some people visit Laax just for the snowparks, but there is more to do...
Ski Laax, Switzerland.
Ski Laax, Switzerland.

Laax Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Laax

Laax4/53
Laax4 out of 5 based on 3 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
Backcountry Books Ski & Snowboard Guide Books & Maps
Wagner Custome Skis

Nearby Ski Resorts

Arosa
Brigels
Chur
Lenzerheide

Laax Maps & Stats

    Laax Ski Trail Map
  • Laax Flims Falera Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    1,100m - 3,018m (1,918m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    8-10m
  • Lifts (30*)
    14 Gondolas / cable cars
    7 Chairs
    *note - 5 new gondolas going in by season 24/25
  • Opening Dates & Times
    Late October to late April
    8:30am to 5:00pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 224km
    Longest run - 13km
    Advanced - 26%
    Intermediate - 36%
    Beginner - 38%
  • Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 23/24
    Adult - from CHF56*
    Child - from CHF20*
    Child u/6yr - Free
    All lift passes dynamically priced each day of the season.
    Flims Ski Trail Map
  • Flims Ski Trail Map
    Laax Falera Ski Trail Map
  • Laax Falera Ski Trail Map

Laax Ski Resort Switzerland

The Laax ski resort (really Laax-Flims-Falera) is one of Switzerland's (& Europe's) biggest & best. Laax is all about modern lifts, vast terrain, long piste trails for all abilities plus challenging off-piste skiing & freeride routes. The resort is also known for its monstrous snow parks & resort facilities straight out of a James Bond or Austen Powers movie.

For what it’s worth, Laax also provided the Powderhounds with the best grilled bratwurst in Europe - no small achievement! Add to that some of Switzerland's best après ski bars & you have a winning combination.

Pros & Cons for Laax Ski Resort

Pros

  • Huge ski area with vast terrain including a glacier.
  • Modern lifts and facilities.
  • Reliable snowfall.
  • Fabulous variety of piste trails for all levels.
  • Lots of long, long valley trails.
  • Over 1,900m of vertical, 1,700m of which is skiable in one hit.
  • Terrain parks that need to be seen to be believed (Europe's & maybe the world’s best!).
  • Wonderful on-mountain restaurants and bars.
  • Massive areas of off-piste powder.
  • Reasonably uncrowded (for a large ski resort).
  • Excellent après ski (unusual for Switzerland).
  • Ski -in ski-out accommodation available.
  • Easy access from Chur on a day trip.

Cons

  • Prior to the dynamic lift pass pricing, was one of the most expensive lift passes in Europe (but still way cheaper than Whistler & Vail - you get what you pay for!!).
  • Lacks the expert & extreme terrain that would make it a genuinely great all-rounder.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

  • Three different ski villages, each with a distinct character.
  • Mainly south-facing, sunny terrain.

Laax Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

Statistically, Laax stacks up pretty well against all the biggest & best ski resorts in the world. The ski resort compares favourably to Whistler in Canada, but without Whistler's extreme terrain, lift lines & steep lift pass price!

Check out the ski trail map for Laax below.

Laax Ski Trail Map
Laax Flims Falera Ski Trail Map

Topped with the Vorab Glacier above 3,000m, the resorts 224km of piste trails range from the high alpine to forested slopes over a staggering 1,918m skiable vertical. The terrain & trails cater for all abilities equally well, so there is plenty for advanced skiers & snowboarders.

Laax ski lifts are progressively being modernised with comfortable gondolas & 6-seater chairs with heated seats rapidly becoming the norm. A series of 5 new gondolas are being installed for seasons 23/24 and 24/25. They will replace two chairlifts in the Flims-Naurus sector as well as the old Grauberg cable car. The new lifts will eventually open previously lifted terrain from the 2,600m Cassons-Ils Cugns peak.

A major feature of Laax ski resort is the serious terrain park & superpipe at the intriguingly named Crap Sogn Gion. It must be seen to be believed.

For more information on ski lifts, terrain, lift passes & maps, see our Laax Skiing & Snowboarding page.

Where is Laax Switzerland?

Laax ski resort is in the canton of Grisons (Graubünden), southeast Switzerland.

Based around the three villages of Laax, Flims & Falera, the resort's largest village of Flims is only 21km west of the capital of canton Graubuenden (Grisons), Chur. Zurich (ZRH) is the closest international airport, 145km by road to the north.

Laax is easy to get by rental car, private airport transfer, or a combination of train to Chur or Ilanz & then bus to either Flims or Laax. Search & book train & bus tickets to Chur & Laax.

For info on the best ways to get there, see our Travel to Laax page.

Laax Flims Falera Accommodation

There are four main villages at the base of the ski resort providing accommodation, each with its advantages & disadvantages. There are also a couple of upper mountain options only accessible by ski lifts in the winter. The main villages are Laax & Flims. Whilst the original village of Laax itself does not have direct ski lift access, the Laax Base Station, about 1.5km away, does. The small Falera village is the fourth local accommodation option.

Search & book Laax, Flims & Falera ski accommodation Laax, Flims & Falera ski accommodation.

The ski resort base area at Laax Base Station provides a mix of modern, funky, traditional, slopeside ski -in hotels & apartments plus more traditional chalets. The signature accommodation is the rockresort (sic) & siginahotel (sic) - so trendy they don't even use uppercase letters or spacing in their names! The fun & energetic Riders Hotel is another contemporary addition to the lodging stocks or one can get a dose of a more traditional Swiss Alps accommodation experience at the Laaxerhof. A wider range of cheaper lodgings are in the actual village of Laax, 2km by road away from the lift base area, and in a roadside sector midway between the two.

Some on-mountain options exist that are only accessible by cable car. Berghaus Nagens has traditional & shared bedrooms in a convivial environment above Flims. The Galaaxy Mountain Hostel is part of the unique 'digital fortress' complex at Crap Sogn Gion above Laax and has quad share rooms for groups or the younger set!

[AdListings Filter="Laax Packages"]

Flims is a larger town with a broad array of lodging options including ski-in lodgings next to the lower slopes. Unlike Laax, the ski lift base is directly in town, a short walking distance to the centre. Hotels & guesthouses are directly across the road from the lift base as well as further in town. The closest accommodations to the ski lifts include The Hide FlimsHillsite Hotel Flims, plus the surprisingly good Arena Guesthouse Hotel and more affordable Arena Lodge.

Falera is a small hamlet (and the highest in the resort at 1,200m) perfect for those wanting a bit of peace & quiet, but still within walking distance of a chairlift. Numerous private apartments & chalets are for holiday rental. Alternatively the nearby Hotel Restaurant La Siala has affordable rooms & apartments, plus provides a free shuttle to the aging Falera chairlift.

For more detail on the best places to stay, see our Laax-Flims-Falera Accommodation Info page.

Activities

One great thing about ski resorts in Switzerland that is consistently world leading is the host of non-ski activities for those not inclined to slide down slopes in the upright position. Laax is no different.

Around 100km of winter walking trails are available up to 2,570m elevation. Three sledding trails up to 3.6km long and a tube park exist. Cross country skiing, ice skating on rinks & natural lakes; the obligatory paragliding, curling, a swimming pool ……….. the list goes on. No boring down days at Laax. And if you want to get away from the hill for day, take a bus to Chur & wander the old town.

Reviews

The Powderhounds last visited Laax in 2018 and are overdue for another visit soon. We loved the modern lift system; the expansive terrain & quirky bars. See our review & extra photos via the links in the left column (or top of page on a mobile).

See how Laax-Flims-Falera compares to the rest of the Swiss ski resorts on the Switzerland ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe the European ski resort ratings page.

Follow Powderhounds Europe on Instagram to see where we are currently skiing. Follow our main Powderhounds page on Facebook to stay in touch with up-to-date info, tours, and discussions.

Tour in or near Laax

Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area Tours

Ride & Learn in the Alps
GUIDED OFF-PISTE SKIING & LEARNING
4 Days | 4 Nights | 4 Days Skiing
Ability: Intermediate to Advanced
The Ride & Learn tour is an 'active learning' powder-chaser trip where the location in the Alps is dictated by the best powder conditions at the time. Options include Livigno, Santa Caterina Italy, Graubuenden Switzerland or Montafon Austria. Ride amazing off-piste snow & do it safely over a long weekend ...
Price p/p Base/invoice currency is EUR, per person on a 4 day tour (2024 rates), minimum 5 guests on tour
Price includes all taxes
*displayed price may vary slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations
USD 562
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area tours that visit Laax here
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