
LAAX Switzerland: 214km pistes, 1,918m vertical, world's largest halfpipe. Graubünden glacier skiing 1,100-3,018m elevation.
LAAX spans 1,100 to 3,018 metres across the Vorab Glacier in Graubünden, with 214 kilometres of piste and 1,918 metres of vertical drop linking three villages. The resort distributes 55 runs into 40% beginner, 35% intermediate, 20% advanced and 5% expert terrain, whilst 70% of the ski area sits above 2,000 metres for reliable snow conditions. Five snowparks centred on Crap Sogn Gion include the world's largest halfpipe at 200 metres long and 7 metres high, earning LAAX the title of World's Best Freestyle Resort nine consecutive times. The resort operates no multi-resort pass but offers a standalone season pass, with the 2025-26 season running 18 November to 12 April.
The terrain spreads across three distinct sectors accessed from Flims, Laax and Falera villages. Intermediates cruise 80 kilometres of blue and red runs between Nagens and Alp Dado, whilst advanced riders test the Vorab Glacier steeps and marked freeride routes around Cassons. The longest descent drops 1,700 metres over 17 kilometres from La Siala to Flims, whilst the FIS-certified Fatschas run challenges racers over 5 kilometres. Beginners progress on high-altitude nursery slopes at Foppa and sunny Crap Sogn Gion, avoiding valley bottlenecks.
Crap Sogn Gion at 2,216 metres forms the resort's central hub, where the modernist GALAAXY building houses two aerial tramway stations and a mountain hotel. The atmosphere skews younger and freestyle-focused, with freestylers congregating at Caffé NoName beside the halfpipe. Rocksresort at Laax Murschetg base provides slopeside lodging, whilst traditional Flims offers family-friendly infrastructure and Falera remains the quietest option. The P60 park and Olympic-sized Pro Kicker Line draw international competitors for the annual LAAX OPEN each January.
LAAX suits confident intermediates seeking varied cruising terrain and freestylers at any level, from first park features to professional competition. Advanced skiers find adequate off-piste around the glacier and marked itineraries, though the resort's reputation centres on parks rather than extreme freeride. Families benefit from three separate beginner zones and the Ami Sabi children's programme, whilst the high elevation guarantees consistent conditions from early season through spring. Those seeking traditional Alpine charm may find the resort's contemporary design and freestyle culture less appealing than classic Swiss villages.
LAAX spreads 55 runs across 214 km of piste of terrain. It leans beginner at 40%, with 22 beginner runs to find your feet and 14 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
The 2025-26 winter season operates 18 November 2025 to 12 April 2026, delivering 146 days of lift access. Early-season skiing typically begins on the Vorab Glacier before spreading resort-wide as natural snowfall accumulates. The resort historically opens weekends in November before full daily operations commence mid-December, closing in late April depending on conditions. LAAX ranks amongst Switzerland's most reliable areas for season length due to high elevation.
Annual snowfall averages between 445 and 720 centimetres depending on measurement location and methodology. The summit elevation at 3,018 metres accumulates average snow depths of 222 centimetres mid-season, peaking at 300 centimetres in March. Base elevation at 1,100 metres maintains 29 centimetres average depth, with 80 snow cannons covering 20 kilometres of lower runs. The high proportion of terrain above 2,000 metres ensures coverage even in lean winters. January typically delivers the snowiest weeks with 132 centimetres monthly accumulation.
January and February offer peak powder conditions with 3-4 snowy days per week, whilst March combines reliable depth with increasing sunshine averaging 21 sunny days monthly. December provides early-season value before holiday crowds, and April delivers spring conditions with soft afternoon snow. The Vorab Glacier maintains skiable snow into spring when lower sectors soften. The resort benefits from northern weather patterns that deliver snowfall when southern Swiss areas remain dry.
The LAAX OPEN draws international freestyle competitors each January, featuring FIS World Cup slopestyle and halfpipe events with night finals held Saturday evenings. Friday night skiing runs throughout winter on the Curnius run with floodlighting until 2115 hours, costing CHF 22 adults. Full moon descents with dinner operate select dates, departing Crap Sogn Gion after dark. The resort's freestyle calendar includes The Brits championships and regular park events, whilst the Freestyle Academy operates year-round for indoor training.
LAAX occupies the Surselva region of canton Graubünden in southeastern Switzerland, spread across three villages at 1,100-1,200 metres in a sunny plateau above the Rhine valley. The resort sits 21 kilometres west of Chur, the cantonal capital, with the villages of Flims, Laax and Falera forming a continuous ski area beneath the Vorab massif. The area lies within the Glarus Alps, positioned where northern weather systems deposit consistent snowfall. The resort faces south with extensive above-treeline terrain.
Flims serves as the largest village with direct lift access and family-oriented infrastructure, whilst Laax centres on the contemporary Rocksresort development at Murschetg base. Falera remains the smallest and quietest hamlet at 1,200 metres elevation, a short distance from its chairlift. Chur, 30 minutes by road, offers historic old town architecture and regional transport connections. The UNESCO-listed Tectonic Arena Sardona geological formation lies accessible via the new FlemXpress gondola system. Lake Cauma near Flims provides summer recreation.
By road, motorway A13/E43 exits at Reichenau near Chur, continuing 11 kilometres west on route 19 to Flims and Laax. The drive from Zurich covers 145-155 kilometres in approximately 1 hour 40 minutes without traffic. From Italy or eastern Switzerland, the A13 provides straightforward access, whilst the minor Lukmanier Pass road offers a scenic alternative via Disentis. Switzerland charges a flat CHF 40 annual motorway vignette. Parking exists at all three base stations, with covered options in select locations.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) lies 145 kilometres north, representing the primary international gateway. Train connections run twice hourly from Zurich to Chur in 1 hour 15 minutes, followed by Postbus 81 completing the final 33 kilometres in 30 minutes, with total journey time around 2 hours 45 minutes. The train-bus connection synchronises to minimise waiting. Friedrichshafen Airport in Germany, Innsbruck, Milan Malpensa and Basel serve as alternative gateways. Private transfers and express buses operate during peak season, with the express bus departing Zurich Airport at 1300 hours on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Hotels and lodges near LAAX, powered by Stay22.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.

Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.

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LAAX's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 28 through April 11. That window is roughly 134 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Switzerland, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
LAAX lists about 214 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 55 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
Trail grading at LAAX breaks down roughly as 40% beginner, 35% intermediate, 20% advanced, 5% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Blue/Red) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
LAAX operates 35 lifts across 6 lift types. The fleet includes 13 gondolas, 8 t-bars, 5 6-person chairs, 5 surface lifts, 2 aerial trams, and 2 quad chairs.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
Base elevation at LAAX is about 1,100 m (3,609 ft), with the summit around 3,018 m (9,902 ft), giving roughly 1,918 m (6,293 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
LAAX averages about 800 cm (315 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans CHF 22 to CHF 89, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
SnowStash pulls together 1 live mountain webcam, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for LAAX so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for LAAX. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
LAAX sits in Switzerland, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.