Laax
If you are park rat, the ski resort of LAAX, correctly Flims-Laax-Falera, will not be a secret to you. Located in the swiss alps of Graubünden, Laax offers the ultimate freestyle mecca for snowboarders and skiers alike.
Pros from all around the world are flocking Laax every winter – you do not even have to be too lucky to bump into your favourite snowboarder in the lift line. Laax’s four parks bring together amateurs as well as professional riders with its great variety of park features.
Not only Laax’s snow playground is one to mention, but also the resort’s many trendy bars and restaurants that are far different to many other traditional alpine snow resorts with a way younger and more laid-back crowd.
Parks
With four parks suited for beginners as well as professional riders Laax is the place to be for freestylers. All parks are conveniently accessible from the main gondola taking you up to the Crap Sogn Gion to 2252 m. The park’s set up varies from a big range of kickers, hips, rails and boxes catering for all levels. Laax’s source of pride is their superpipe in the “NoName” park. With its 200 meters length and 6,9 meters in height it is currently the world’s biggest halfpipe and a venue for international freestyle competitions such as the LAAX Open.
The over 1 km long main park, “P60” on the Curnius piste, is perfectly shaped three times a day by its park crew. Making sure you have at all times of the day impeccable take offs and landings.
The park set up is changing weekly, so be quick to land that trick you are working on at your favourite feature, it might possibly be gone the next day.
Intermediate riders that are looking to improve their park skills will find different sized kickers and a variety of obstacles at “Ils Plauns” to bring their riding to the next level.
Backcountry and Slopes
There is a reason why several pro freeriders made Laax their local resort. Flims-Laax-Falera has way more to it than its popular parks. When the powder gods are dropping their packages, Laax becomes a backcountry paradise with a diverse off-piste terrain. The mountain is lined by many natural features like rocks and cliffs to drop off. In 2022 the resort opened the freeride pendant to its freestyle park P60 – “Free60” was born. Free60 combines freeriding with park riding. It is not groomed like the other conventional parks but left in its natural state which will offer you a maximum level of stoke after the snow hits.
The 220 km of slopes reach a level of 3000 meters all the way up to the Vorab glacier. The mountain has numerous of easier slopes to reds and blacks – perfect to challenge your mates to a hill bomb.
After-shred activities
The mountain is closed or finishing the shred earlier today? No worries, there is quiet a lot of different things to do apart from snowboarding and skiing. The Freestyle Academy is a massive indoor skate park that recently moved to Flims – Clear the ring for your best skate tricks, because it is in no other place than a circus tent! You are feeling like having a rest day? Get yourself a coffee at the Rider’s lobby while strolling the temporary art exhibitions in their showroom – obviously all featuring our favourite winter sports. Wellnesshostel 3000 has, as the name says, a massive spa with three saunas. Perfect to regenerate for the next big day on the slopes. The Cauma lake is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes. In winter it is fully frozen and a perfect place for a scenic walk.
Hospitality
An innovative digital concept will come with a visit of Flims-Laax-Falera. The “INSIDE LAAX” app will not only help you purchase tickets and to explore the piste, but also discover the local gastronomy. If you are looking for a feed on the mountain the Galaaxy Mountain Restaurant offers burgers, at Capalari you will find a local Bündner cuisine. For the ones that have a hard time leaving the park in their lunch break, check out Cafè NoName located right above the NoName park for a decent barista coffee. A perfect spot to watch the rookies and pros boosting off massive pro line kickers or getting amongst it in the super pipe.
Be aware Switzerland is not the cheapest place for a holiday. A rather cheaper feed you can grab at the Laax base station at “Burgers” or at Nooba serving an Asian fusion food.
If you are looking for something more up class the culinary cuisine at the infamous Rider’s hotel is a go to, offering each week a new vegan menu with fresh local ingredients.
The small town of Flims caters to all sorts of tastes: from sushi at Cooma, local swiss cuisine at The Hide Deli or Haci’s kebab for the ones that are looking for something on the cheaper side. A holiday in Switzerland never goes without a traditional fondue - check out Hotel Vorab’s fondue room to satisfy your cheese cravings.
Bars and Nightlife
If you are looking for corny après-ski music Laax might disappoint you. With good weather the first DJ sets start on top of the Crap Sogn Gion at the Satellite Bar. Rocks Lounge at the bottom of the slopes serves decent cocktails. You will find the young locals getting on the drinks at Indy after shredding. Later the night make sure to give Rider’s a visit. People as far as from Zurich come here when DJs from all around Europe dropping their beats or grungy indie bands making a rowdy crowd dance their soul out. Come early, this place gets busier than a bee’s nest. Alternatively Tiffany’s is a little basement bar – rumour has it that underground DJs will turn the place into a pumping club every now and then.
Schlosserei in Flims is a little tucked away local’s secret bar, serving Italian coffee as well as that liquid gold you are craving after a big day on the mountain. If you feel like having a bigger night out, Arena Bar right across the Flims gondola station will be your go to place.
How to get to Laax
Flims-Laax-Falera is easily reached by car and public transport. Located only 30 minutes from Chur, the canton’s capital, and 2 hours from Zurich by car. The swiss public transport is reliable and mostly on time and will bring you from Zurich to Laax in 2,5 hours.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck is one of the top destinations in the Alps in the ski and snowboard scene. Thanks to its central location, you can reach a total of 13 different areas and thus have the perfect starting point for your holidays in the snow. No matter if you want to spend it in the snow park, in the backcountry or on the slopes. In addition, the city offers numerous possibilities to end the day in one of the many bars or clubs. We have put together a guide with the tips for your time in Innsbruck.
Parks
Stubai Zoo
If you prefer to spend your time on the snowboard or skis in the park, the Stubai Zoo is the central spot for you. The ski resort has one of the largest glacier parks in the Alps. Snow is guaranteed all through the year as the park is located at an altitude of over 3000 meters.
Especially the Easy-, Medium- and Pro-Line make the hearts of freestylers of all levels beat faster. More boxes and rails can be found on the jibline.
A highlight is certainly the Stubai Premiere at the start of the season, when the snowboard and ski community gets together again for the first time after the summer season. Here you also have the opportunity to test the products of the current season. Brands like DC, Burton and Salomon are represented.
If you are familiar with the freestyle community, the Stubai Prime Park Sessions should be no secret to you. Freestyle world elites like our team rider Anna Gasser meet here to prepare for the season.
Nordkette Skylinepark
A big advantage of the Skylinepark on the Nordkette is certainly the quick accessibility without a car directly from the city. Thus, it can be called a real "Incity" park and is especially popular with locals.
Compared to other parks, it is kept smaller, but offers everything for a nice session - with a quarter, various kickers, rails, tubes and boxes. A special highlight is the breathtaking view of the city.
In the chill area the weekend is kicked off with DJ sets and night sessions on Fridays. After shredding, you can enjoy a drink in one of the deck chairs on Cloud9, Innsbruck's largest sun terrace.
Further snow park highlights
In addition to the Stubai Zoo and the Skylinepark, there are other promising snow parks. These include the park on the Patscherkofel, Innsbruck's local mountain, the Golden Roofpark in Axamer Lizum and the freestyle area in Kühtai. These parks are also easily accessible from Innsbruck and focus primarily on rookie and medium lines.
Backcountry & Slopes
If you are a bigger fan of freshly groomed slopes, you will also get your money's worth in the Innsbruck region. A total of 308 kilometers of slopes are available to you in 13 smaller and larger areas. At the Stubai Glacier, the season starts as early as October and lasts until late spring.
The other ski areas around Innsbruck, such as the Axamer Lizum, the Muttereralm, the Patscherkofel also offer freeriders enough opportunities to pursue their passion. Numerous powder slopes, couloirs and ski routes are waiting for you there. There are also many opportunities for ski touring and splitboarding. With the exception of the Nordkette, most of the slopes are north-facing and thus offer the possibility of powder skiing even late in the season.
After-shred Activities
Also for the time after a day on the slopes, Innsbruck provides a selection of possibilities. The offer ranges from swimming pools, escape rooms and laser tag to various museums with different themes.
The highlight is certainly the indoor skatepark Innsbruck. On more than 2000 m2 the hall offers a mixture of street courses and classic park elements like a bowl and miniramp. The park is open all year round and is often the venue for international skate and BMX events.
For climbing enthusiasts, the Innsbruck Climbing Center is the first place to go after a day on the mountain. The facility offers you a choice of 500 different climbing routes and 200 bouldering options, both indoor and outdoor.
Hospitality
Whether Asian, Mediterranean or local cuisine, everyone will find something for their taste in Innsbruck. The Glorious Bastards is highly recommended. The menu ranges from delicious grilled dishes to burgers, including vegetarian options, to pizza. They use mainly local ingredients in their preparation.
Make sure to take care of your sleeping arrangement as early as possible. Especially when big events take place in the city, accommodations are booked out quickly. Either you stay cheap in a hostel, look for a vacation apartment together with your buddies or treat yourself to a room in one of Innsbruck's hotels. You'll find something for every budget if you’re right in time.
Bars and Nightlife
Nightlife in Innsbruck takes place primarily at the "Bögen" and in the old town. The city offers a wide selection of pubs, bars and clubs.
At the top of the list is certainly Jimmy's. The bar is especially well known in the snowboard scene and scores with its laid-back 60s charm. It is located directly opposite Landhausplatz. You can easily move on to Blue Chip after a few drinks here. Depending on the day of the week, there's different music going on, from hip-hop to RnB to house.
If you prefer to listen to techno or deep house while partying, you should check out Club Cubique during your visit to Innsbruck. The club is located a bit outside the city center but is definitely worth a visit. For hip-hop lovers, the Dachsbau is especially recommended.
Getting there
Innsbruck is easily accessible, whether by car, train or plane. A special tip are the nightjets of ÖBB with which you can start the journey to Innsbruck totally comfortable sleeping.
