Laax Ski Resort Switzerland
The Laax ski resort 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! Combine that with 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 1900m of vertical, 1700m 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
- 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!
See the 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 & 6er chairs with heated seats the norm.
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 (Graubuenden), southeast Switzerland.
Based around the three villages of Laax, Flims & Falera, the resort's largest village of Flims is 21km west of the capital of canton Grisons, Chur. Zurich (ZRH) is the closest international airport, 145km by road to the north.
Laax is easy to get by car 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
At least four main villages exist at the base of the ski resort providing accommodation, each with its advantages & disadvantages. The main villages are Laax & Flims. Laax does not have direct ski lift access, but 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 provides a mix of modern, funky slopeside ski -in hotels & apartments plus more traditional chalets. The signature accommodation is the rockresort (sic) - so trendy it doesn't even use uppercase letters in its name! A wider range of cheaper lodgings are in the actual village of Laax, 2km by road away from the lift base area.
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 Mountain Hostel Crap Sogn Gion is part of the unique 'digital fortress' complex above Laax and has quad share rooms for groups or the younger set!
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 Flims & Hillsite Hotel Flims.
Falera is a small hamlet perfect for those wanting a bit of peace & quiet, but still within walking distance of a chairlift.
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 due 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 compares to the rest of the European ski resorts on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see where we are currently skiing.