Short answer
Laax is the big ski area of Graubünden, where the villages of Laax, Flims and Falera share 176 kilometres of slopes and 29 lifts between 1,100 and 3,018 metres. Almost half of the slopes are blue, all three villages have children's areas, and the Vorab glacier makes the season more reliable. Laax suits families with children of all ages – from the youngest on the children's slope to teenagers heading for the snow parks.
Quick facts
- Country / region
- Switzerland, Graubünden
- Ski area
- Flims Laax Falera
- Altitude (village – top)
- 1100 – 3018 m above sea level
- Pistes
- 176 km
- Lifts
- 29
- Season
- late November – mid-April
- Nearest airports
- Zurich (approx. 1 h 45)
- Train
- Train to Chur, then post bus to Flims and Laax (approx. 30 min)
- Price level
- ●●●●● (1 = cheap, 5 = expensive)
Family rating
4,3 / 5
- Beginner slopes Almost half of the slopes are blue, and all three villages have children's areas with magic carpets.
- Snow reliability The villages lie low, but the Vorab glacier and a lot of skiing above 2,000 metres keep the season going.
- Distance from accommodation to lifts Lifts start in all three villages, and in Laax Murschetg you stay by the valley station.
- More than skiing Snow parks for the teenagers, winter walks at the Ruinaulta gorge and sledging hills.
The rating is our overall assessment for families with children based on the criteria above – not a paid placement.
Laax is the resort teenagers dream of and parents of small children are pleasantly surprised by. The name is famous throughout the skiing world for its snow parks – but underneath lies one of the most family-friendly ski areas in Switzerland, with lots of blue slopes, children's areas in every village and a glacier that makes the snow more reliable than the height of the villages suggests.
The area is officially called Flims Laax Falera after the three villages that share the slopes. Together they have 176 kilometres of slopes and 29 lifts between 1,100 and 3,018 metres. Everything is on the same lift pass, and from Zurich you can get here by train and bus in a couple of hours.
Three villages – which one suits you?
- Laax Murschetg is by the valley station and the snow parks. Here you stay close to the lift and close to everything that is going on, and it is the first choice for families with teenagers.
- Flims is the largest, with shops, restaurants and lifts straight from the village. A good base for families who want a bit of life in the evenings.
- Falera is the smallest and quietest, with its own children's slope and a lift up into the area. Suits families with small children who want to keep things simple.
All three villages are connected up on the mountain, so you don't miss out on anything whichever one you choose.
The slopes – blue, red and a glacier
| Difficulty | Kilometres | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | 85 km | 48 % |
| Red | 76 km | 43 % |
| Black | 15 km | 9 % |
Almost half of the slopes are blue, and many of them are long and wide. That makes Laax a good place for families who want to ski together even when not everyone is equally good. At the very top is the Vorab glacier at over 3,000 metres, and a lot of the skiing is above 2,000 metres – the villages lie low, but the slopes do not.
Laax with kids
- Children's areas in all three villages, with magic carpets and easy slopes. The ski school's children's programme is built around stories with animals and forest, so the youngest learn through play.
- Children up to five ski for free – bring ID to the ticket office.
- Dynamic prices: the lift pass gets cheaper the earlier you buy and more expensive on days when many people want to ski. Buy online in advance.
- Long blue slopes that let the whole family ski together from day two or three.
We go through how to divide ski school, rest and ski days in ski trips with children, and the first trip is covered in the guide to the first ski trip with kids.
Snow parks for the teenagers
Laax is famous for its snow parks, with jumps and rails for all levels and a superpipe for the very best. For teenagers on a snowboard or twin-tip skis this is one of the obvious destinations in the Alps – and for the parents it means everyone can ski in the same area. A helmet and back protector are a good idea.
The rest day
- The Ruinaulta gorge – the deep gorge of the Rhine between Flims and Ilanz, known as the Swiss Grand Canyon. Winter walks and viewpoints make for a different kind of day.
- Sledging hills and winter walks in the forests around Flims.
- Chur, the oldest town in Switzerland, is half an hour away by bus.
How to get to Laax
- By air: land in Zurich – then it is around an hour and three quarters by car.
- By train: travel to Chur and take the post bus to Flims and Laax, which takes around half an hour. From Zurich airport the whole journey takes about two hours. Night trains and connections from Sweden: train to the Alps.
- By car: if you drive from Sweden the route goes through Germany – plan an overnight stop and winter equipment. How to choose between car, train and plane is explained in getting to the ski resort.
Laax or another Swiss resort?
Laax has more blue slopes and is easier for families than many other Swiss resorts. Zermatt is higher and has the Matterhorn, Davos is a town with more to do, and St Moritz has the sunniest climate. We compare all the options in Switzerland's ski resorts, and Switzerland is never cheap – tips for keeping costs down are in the budget guide.
Packing for Laax – easy things to forget
Frequently asked questions
Which village should you stay in – Laax, Flims or Falera?
Laax Murschetg is by the valley station and the snow parks and suits families with teenagers. Flims is the largest, with shops and restaurants and lifts from the village. Falera is the smallest and quietest – good for families with small children who want to stay close to a children's slope.
Is Laax good for beginners and small children?
Yes. Almost half of the slopes are blue, and all three villages have children's areas with magic carpets and easy slopes. Children up to five ski for free with ID.
How much is the lift pass in Laax?
Laax has dynamic prices – the lift pass gets cheaper the earlier you buy and more expensive on days when many people want to ski. Children up to five ski for free. Buy online in advance for the best price.
How snow-sure is Laax?
The villages lie at around 1,100 metres, but the skiing goes up to 3,018 metres on the Vorab glacier, and a lot of the area is above 2,000 metres. The season usually runs from late November to mid-April.
How do you get to Laax without a car?
Take the train to Chur and then the post bus to Flims and Laax, which takes around half an hour. From Zurich airport the whole journey by train and bus takes about two hours.
