Where to Ski And Snowboard - Laax starts season

Laax starts season

27th October 2011, by Chris Gill

Laax - Crap Sogn Gion

The winter season begins in Laax, Switzerland, this weekend, with the opening of the Vorab glacier.

Skiing and boarding will start on the high glacier slopes a little earlier than usual, following this week’s snowfalls in the Alps. The glacier will be open weekends from 08.30 am until 16.30 pm, and daily from 3 December. The resort is scheduled to open fully from 17 December.

So, if you fancy a few early turns Laax is just 90 minutes drive from Zurich – or a handy 30-minute trip from the lovely old town of Chur.

Ski Safari (www.skisafari.com) are offering 2 nights at Hotel Adula from £425 per person based on two people sharing a superior double room. Price includes easyJet flights from Gatwick to Zurich, and rail transfers.

What’s new in Laax this year?

First up: a swanky new six-pack is replacing draglifts above Crap Sogn Gion. The new lift is the initial stage in restructuring the slopes in that sector, which will include new blue runs.

In the same area, Ils Plauns, a new terrain park is planned. The park will be over 500m long, with 15 features, five kickers and a boardercross. This joins the already extensive freestyle facilities in the resort, which are constantly being updated and improved – it’s a world class area for snowboarding competitions.

Events kick off with the Junior European Open, which begins the season proper in the parks from 10 December, also the inaugural weekend for the ‘Snow and Park’ opening. The Burton Demo Tour takes place over the same weekend, giving keen boarders the chance to test the new Burton boards and bindings.

But the area is not just about its terrain parks; there are over 200km pistes that provide excellent intermediate terrain and some decent vertical. The resort is also popular with families – particularly to Flims, where there are decent nursery slopes. The ski school has a good reputation too.

Links: www.laax.com/en