Worldwide Ski Resorts • Switzerland • Laax
Overview
The resort of Laax Murschetg, linked to its neighbour Flims Falera, is little known to the British. It started off as a glorified car park for weekend skiers, but it has taken off recently as a cult resort for snowboarders and the major influence of several international snowboarding competitions and trendy DJs spinning their stuff while crowds of 21st Century party people party the night away has only served to reinforce this. This influence means that Laax sports some of the most funky modern hotels and bars in the Swiss Alps. Families are made very welcome; the ski schools are excellent, the skiing and snowboarding is fantastic and accommodation is very good value for money.
Profile
The resort area of Laax has recently been remarketed as Alpenarena and it is this that most snowboarders make for as the area is snow sure. It is modern resort lacking the traditional Swiss village feel, but the friendliness of the locals and the superb skiing more than make up for this. The local ski school has offers non skiing day-care for the over threes and will take them out on the slopes from the age of four. One of the more amusing claims to fame that Laax has is the fact that many of the peaks, bars and lodgings have the word ‘crap’ attached to them; this is actually quite far from the truth, the bars can be pricey but this pales into insignificance when confronted with the views from them!
Mountain Information
Up on the small Vorab glacier at 3000m, there is plenty of snow throughout the season. The resort itself is some 2000m below on a sunny, southerly slope. The snow holding is not so good here but most of the home runs have snow making facilities allowing ski in and ski out. There are 220km of piste with varied terrain suited to all abilities. There are some excellent beginner areas, with green and blue runs, plenty of long winding pistes with trees to satisfy the intermediates and challenging black runs for the advanced boarders and skiers. There are four half pipes on the mountains for the freestylers and ample off piste opportunities. The resort is served by a well integrated system of 28 lifts and queues are rare.
Apres Ski
The majority of the bars and clubs in Laax are aimed at the trendy snowboard fraternity. However, search down some of the back streets and you will find some quieter spots away from the crowds. In the car park, you can munch away on Bratwurst and beer and there are some great maintain eateries piste side. There is an ice rink and swimming pool as well as hot air ballooning, hang gliding, helicopter flights and paragliding. If all this sounds like too much excitement, head to the wellness centre where you can be pampered with a massage and a steam bath, bliss!
Swiss Resort Guide
Resort Information • Laax
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Resort Height | 1020m |
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Top Station | 2980m |
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Bottom Station | 1100m |
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Vertical Descent | 1960m |
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Drag Lifts | 14 |
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Chair Lifts | 9 |
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High Capacity | 9 |
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Opening Dates | Dec - April |
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Rating Expert | 8 |
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Rating Intermediate | 8 |
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Rating Beginner | 8 |
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Apres Ski Rating | 5 |
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Snow Reliability | 8 |
