Laax — The Freestyle Capital of the Alps (and It's Not Just for Snowboarders)
The world's largest halfpipe, a thriving park scene, and 224km of cruising. Laax does everything.
Laax (officially Flims Laax Falera) is where the freestyle revolution lives in the Alps. Home to the world's largest halfpipe, a dedicated NoName terrain park, and a young, creative energy — but don't overlook 224km of excellent all-mountain skiing that rivals anywhere in Switzerland.
Getting There
Fly to Zurich (ZRH), then it's about 1.5–2 hours by car or PostBus via Chur. From Chur station, a direct bus runs to Laax in 40 minutes. No train directly to the resort, but the Chur connection is seamless.
Where to Stay
Riders Hotel at the Laax base station is the freestyle hub — young, modern, affordable. Rocksresort offers stylish apartments right at the lifts. Flims has more traditional Swiss charm and a wider range of hotels. Budget: try the LAAX hostel (Riders Palace) or apartments in Falera village.
On the Mountain
224km of runs spread across Crap Sogn Gion, Crap Masegn, and Cassons. The terrain is beautifully varied — long cruising reds, gentle blues in the Flims sector, and the headline freestyle parks. The superpipe (6.9m walls) and NoName park at Crap Sogn Gion are world-class. Glacier skiing on Vorab extends the season. The Inside Laax app is excellent for tracking runs and finding friends.
Where to Eat
Café NoName at the park is the riders' canteen — burgers, burritos, and good vibes. Tegia Larnags in the forest serves outstanding local Graubünden specialities. In Flims, Stiva Veglia occupies a stunning 17th-century house with refined mountain cuisine.
Local Insider Tips
- The Galaaxy app is brilliant — order food to your sun lounger, check lift queues, and track your vertical.
- Visit the Caumasee (Flims) on a rest day — a turquoise lake in the woods that's stunning even in winter.
- Night skiing sessions at Crap Sogn Gion run on selected evenings — worth checking the calendar.
- If you're not a freestyler, the long red from Vorab glacier down to Flims is 14km of uninterrupted cruising.
Budget Breakdown (7 days, per person)
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (return) | £100 | £200 |
| Transfer | CHF 40 | CHF 100 |
| Accommodation (7 nights) | CHF 450 | CHF 1,000 |
| 6-day lift pass | CHF 401 | CHF 401 |
| Equipment rental | CHF 120 | CHF 200 |
| Meals & drinks | CHF 250 | CHF 500 |
| Total | ~CHF 1,361 (~€1,305) | ~CHF 2,401 (~€2,305) |