As our bus meandered along winding roads, we passed lines of postcard shops brimming with local crafts and offering a cozy, inviting warmth. Glistening white snow sparkled on the pavement edges, and powdered trees painted a picturesque Alpine scene in the distance.
Arriving at the LAAX ski resort, we stepped off the bus and were greeted by the bitingly fresh air of the Alps. The resort bustled with people and the rhythmic clatter of snow boots. Located in the Surselva Region of Switzerland, LAAX ski resort forms part of a larger skiing area that includes the neighbouring villages of Flims and Falera.
Together, these destinations offer over 224km of pistes suitable for all levels of skier and snowboarder — it it was hard to believe all of this was at the resort paving the future for sustainable skiing.
LAAX has a commitment to sustainability that is admirable. Amid global concerns over shrinking snow seasons and environmental challenges, the resort aims to become the world’s first zero-carbon ski destination by 2030.
The significance of this work is crucial, as one in eight ski destinations could lose all natural snow cover by the end of the century, according to an analysis published in PLOS One. In addition, the Alps host over a third of the world’s ski resorts, and snow depth has reduced by nearly 10 percent since the 1970s. The amount of time snow is present has also decreased by more than five percent a decade over the past 50 years, reports The Week.
It was inspiring to see that the work LAAX is doing to be sustainable is prevalent throughout the resort.
The most ground-breaking element of the resort’s sustainability commitment was the FlemXpress — a fully autonomous, on-demand, gondola system. After 15 years of development, the lift system was launched in December 2023. Unlike traditional gondolas that run continuously, the FlexXpress operates on demand. Skiers and snowboarders just have to select the station they wish to go to before boarding, and a specific gondola will arrive for them and take them directly to that station.
The cabins will only depart when they are occupied and ones that are currently not needed will dock at station until called. The marvellous technology reduces the resort’s energy consumption by up to 50 per cent. The stations have been designed and constructed using local materials, to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings and minimise environmental impact.
LAAX’s ambition to lead the way in creating a sustainable ski resort is in response to winter seasons become drastically shorter across Europe includes no longer using any fossil fuels by 2030 and operating on 100 per cent renewable electricity from “consumer to producer”.
Named the ‘Greenstyle Concept’, the resort is following a set of comprehensive measures, of which around 200 projects have already been implemented. As part of The Greenstyle Foundation — a non-profit organization from the Weisse Arena Group — LAAX is dedicated to the development and protection of the environment.
The same eco-conscious ethos extends to the accommodation. I stayed at Rocksresort, a stunning collection of modern apartments. The grey stone exteriors complement the snowy landscape, while large, square windows framed with light wood invite guests to soak in the views.
Inside, the apartments seamlessly combine luxury and functionality. Natural materials like wood and concrete are paired with plush furnishings, creating a soft yet refined atmosphere. The large window ledge is perfect for curling up with a book or simply admiring the falling snow.
The bathroom was a particular highlight, featuring a stone rainfall shower and an incredible bathtub carved entirely from stone, complete with a cascading waterfall tap. It felt like bathing in a serene mountain cave.
In addition to its wide and varying slopes, LAAX is also celebrated as a world-famous freestyle location, attracting snowboarders and freestyle skiers from around the world.
The resort’s snow parks include Europe’s largest half-pipe — measuring 200 metres, with walls up to 6.9 metres.
Whilst the resort and slopes were busy, it had a real community feel to it, where every snowboarder and skier was just happy to be there and passionate about the hobby. From ski schools whizzing past to snowboarder carving up the snow, the slopes seemed like a vibrant and inclusive place to be.
The slopes are really well connected too, and across the resort there are plenty of places to stop off between runs for a warm cup of local hot chocolate. The food scene at the resort is also unmatched. Each and every restaurant I visited boasted talented chefs and unique dishes — from flavoursome pad Thai to pumpkin-based ice cream deserts. All of the restaurants also offered vegetarian options too.
For those who are staying in Rocksresort there is also the option to use the kitchen in your apartment to make food yourself, while the resort also has a supermarket which makes this even easier.
After a long morning on the slopes, you may want to check out the spa at Signina Hotel. You are greeted with a large glass wall looking out onto a snowy courtyard, creating a magical contrast to the warmth inside. The ground floor has a large pool and loungers for guests to enjoy, and is complete with a bar where you can grab a towel or a complimentary juice.
Heading downstairs, you’ll find the saunas and steam rooms, and no children are present. True to European tradition, swimsuits aren’t permitted in the sauna area, though most guests are wrapped in towels. For the adventurous, there’s even an outdoor plunge pool, where the icy Alpine air adds to the invigorating experience.
The spa had different heat-level saunas, a steam room, foot spas, plunge pools, offering the ideal relaxation after being on the slopes.
Book the holiday
Getting to LAAX ski resort is simple, with Zurich airport located only 90 minutes away via the efficient Swiss Railway system.
Lift passes cost from CHF 62 (£55.14) per day and accommodation at Rocksresort costs from €398 (£334.81) per night.
