Switzerland, Europe
LAAX
LAAX Switzerland: 214km pistes, 1,918m vertical, world's largest halfpipe. Graubünden glacier skiing 1,100-3,018m elevation.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
18 Nov 2025
Closes
12 Apr 2026
Days open
145
Annual snow
8m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
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.
1918m
Vertical
55
Runs
214 km
Piste
8m
Annual snow
The Terrain
55 runs across 214 km of piste
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.
Terrain split
55
runs
55 runs across 4 grades
Beginner22 runs · 40%
Intermediate19 runs · 35%
Advanced11 runs · 20%
Expert3 runs · 5%
Time it right
When to visit LAAX
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.
Season 2025 - 2026
18 Nov 2025
Opens
12 Apr 2026
Closes
145
Days open
8 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to LAAX, and where to stay
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.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near LAAX, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law
Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.
22 July 2026
South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena
South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.
22 July 2026
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21 July 2026
La Thuile's New Cable Car Replaces Two Ageing Chairlifts
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21 July 2026
The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain
The Remarkables is adding new inbounds terrain for winter, bringing the Scarpa Bowl - known locally as the Toilet Bowl - into its lift-accessed network after years as backcountry-only ground. The roughly 500 metre run is reached by bootpacking from the top of the Sugar Bowl chairlift, with a shuttle picking skiers up from the road at the bottom. It's a smaller, faster addition than the resort's planned Doolans expansion, though the new terrain hasn't opened yet due to a lack of snow this season.
21 July 2026
Ski Portillo Cut Off After Storm Dumps More Than 4.5 Metres of Snow
Ski Portillo remains isolated after an extended storm buried the Chilean resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow, with both ground and air access suspended since Tuesday while crews monitor avalanche hazards and worsening weather. Resort officials say further snowfall is expected in the coming days and haven't set a timeline for reopening the mountain road. Once access resumes, the scale of the snowpack could set up a strong season at one of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic ski resorts.
21 July 2026
Resort Spotlight: Lotte Arai - Japan's Corporate Ski Anomaly With 22 Metres of Annual Snowfall
Lotte Arai receives 22 metres of annual snowfall - exceptional even by Japanese standards - but its corporate ownership model and limited terrain create an unusual cost-benefit equation. Here's what the numbers actually mean on the ground.
19 July 2026
Resort Spotlight: Banff Sunshine Village - Nine Metres of Snow and a Season That Runs Until May
Banff Sunshine Village sits at 1,660m base and receives 9.27m of snow annually. Inside Banff National Park, it offers a six-month season and terrain split that skews heavily advanced - though the crowds and lift infrastructure tell their own story.
18 July 2026
Live webcams
1 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About LAAX's live webcams
Check live conditions across LAAX with 1 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Crap Sogn Gion Plaun2240m
- The Crap Sogn Gion is the beating heart of LAAX ski area and this 360 roundshot gives a panoramic view of the whole area.
LAAX snow cams FAQ
How often do LAAX snow cams update?
All LAAX snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at LAAX.
Which LAAX webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Crap Sogn Gion Plaun webcam at 2,240m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These LAAX webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see LAAX lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple LAAX snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check LAAX snow cams?
Check LAAX webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying LAAX lift tickets?
Use our LAAX webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do LAAX webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All LAAX snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More LAAX intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.