How to spend a long Ski Weekend in Laax
The dynamic Swiss ski resort of Laax is perfect destination for active travellers eager to make the most of a short trip to the mountains. Just 90 minutes from Zurich, this snow-sure resort is the ideal spot for a quick weekend getaway from the office and a burst of alpine action.
Laax offers over 224km of slopes and caters to all ski abilities. Nestled between the equally charming villages of Flims and Falera, the resort has become a hot-spot of hipster urban mountain living and includes the world’s largest halfpipe and four snow parks to suit different levels. The ski village is a mecca for snowboarders and freestyle skiers alike.
The fun doesn’t stop on the slopes, with plenty of après activities to keep you entertained, from beers and wines from all around the world at Il Pub and the Summit Bar at the Waldhaus, to incredible steaks at La Vacca and fine French cuisine at Das Elephant, the resort caters to all tastes.
Your Itinerary
Thursday
6am - Jump on an early morning flight with SWISS from Heathrow to Zurich and when you arrive in Switzerland your luxury Powder Byrne transfer will be waiting to whisk you up to the mountains of Laax.
11am - Check into the completely refurbished and reimagined Riders Hotel, a minimalist and modern yet welcoming hotel with a lively atmosphere. Your Powder Byrne resort manager will present you with your pre-booked lift passes, and ensure you get any necessary equipment rentals swiftly.
Noon - Once you have your bearings it’s time to make the most of an afternoon on the slopes. Grab your gear and hop into the Powder Byrne shuttle for a quick ride to the Laax base station. From there jump on the bubble up to Curnius and ease into your ski-legs with a nice gentle blue down to Falera.
1pm - It’s a quick chairlift back up to Curnius, then Crap Sogn Gion where you can stop by Galaaxy. The hub of the ski resort, Galaaxy and was given a ‘galactic facelift’ in 2017 and is home to ‘the Hangar’, an events/meetings space and restaurant. Above this is the ‘Satellite Bar’, an outdoor drinking space, and finally ‘the Platform’, affording 360 degree panoramic views over the pistes. Take your pick from the wide range of food available at Galaaxy, with a juice bar, traditional Swiss food and pizza amongst the range of options on offer. If you need to check into the office, Galaaxy also has an open work space called ‘the Bridge’ providing an inspiring environment to work from.
2pm - After a relaxing lunch (or a working lunch) it’s time to get a little higher. The cable car up to Crap Masegn gives you the chance to explore some short red slopes, or black runs and yellow itinerary runs for the more advanced skiers. You can spend the afternoon finding some favourite runs, or hitting one of the snow parks near Galaaxy before skiing the long red down from Crap Sogn Gion back into Laax.
4pm - The Powder Byrne team will meet you at the foot of the slopes where you can enjoy a spot of après, or jump in the Powder Byrne shuttle and head straight back to Riders Hotel for a drink in their bar, or simply relax in your stylish room. If you aren’t tired out from a day on the slopes why not take advantage of the free gym or the daily evening yoga classes at 6.45pm.
7.30pm - Time for dinner, the Powder Byrne client concierge team and resort team will be on hand and full of recommendations to suit you. Our favourite places in Laax include the Fonduestall at Hotel Laaxerhof, a hidden shed inside the hotel with raclette specialities and a cosy, candlelit atmosphere, or the Remise with the option to grill the meat yourself.
Friday
7.30 am - Breakfast time. At Riders Hotel you can enjoy an ample buffet, with sweet and savoury, hot and cold treats alike to fuel you for your day on the mountain. Riders caters to all tastes and diets, with good options for vegetarians and vegans.
8.30 am Friday is the perfect day to take advantage of Powder Byrne’s complimentary ski service. Hit the slopes with our experienced ski guides who know the best runs, lifts and ski routes in Laax and Flims, so you don’t have to look at a piste map all day. First lifts begin at 8.30am so if you want to take advantage of the untouched morning snow head out as early as possible.
Noon - Our ski guides know all the best lunch spots and have great relationships with all of the mountain restaurants, which comes in very handy at securing the best tables. The curnius lift is home to Tegia Curnius, a restaurant with a roaring fire and spacious sun terrace, so you can be cosy when sitting both inside and outside. Specialities include Maluns (fried potato) and local cheeses and meats. Near Crap Masegn is Das Elephant, which offers fresh and creative cuisine. A highlight includes the penne prepared in a wheel of Parmesan cheese.
4pm - After a full day on the slopes of Laax your ski guide will ensure that you are safely back down the mountain before last lifts, ready for a spot of après and the quick shuttle ride back to Riders Hotel.
7pm - Not too far from Riders Hotel is Nooba, a pan-asian restaurant with delicious Vietnamese soups. Our client concierge team will have liaised with you before your trip to ensure you have a booking as this popular restaurant does get busy.
10pm - Back to Riders Hotel which has a live concert in the Lobby bar every Friday at 10pm. The concerts cover a wide range of genres from relaxing acoustic to pop music and everything in between. This is a great chance to mingle and get to know your fellow guests.
Saturday
Morning - Breakfast runs from 7-12 at Riders Hotel on the weekends so if you are not an early bird then there is no need to rush. Saturday offers a great opportunity to use your inside knowledge gained from the ski guides and explore the resort slopes further. Check out the highest peaks of Vorab Gletscher and La Siala for the best snow. The La Siala run down to Flims through Grauberg is 12km of blissful skiing down rolling reds and blissful blues.
Noon- For lunch check out La Vacca in the heart of the ski resort by the Plaun lift, a heated teepee with meat specialities. Or try Ustria Startgels towards the Startgels cable car for grill specialities, creamy polenta and homemade pasta accompanied by an extensive wine list.
2pm - Head to ‘the Satellite Bar’ at Galaaxy for a drink in the sun. Every Saturday and Sunday there is a DJ at the bar, creating a great atmosphere for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy their weekends.
4pm - Head back to Riders Hotel in the Powder Byrne shuttle and relax and unwind after your day on the slopes.
6pm - A Powder Byrne team member will be on hand to drive the quick route over to the neighbouring village of Flims, a traditional alpine resort with a cosy feel. Explore the town a little and head for your pre-booked dinner. Recommendations include Epoca at the Waldhaus for a fine dining treat, or Cavigilli for a classic Swiss dinner.
Late - If you’re not in the mood to call it a night just yet then head to Arena Bar in Flims which stays open until the early hours and is located in the heart of the village.
Sunday
8.30am - Enjoy the breakfast buffet at Riders and then hit the slopes early to get in the last few hours of skiing, or take this as an opportunity for a wander around Laax.
10am - If you choose not to ski before your departure then a good option is to pop into the LAAX Indoor Freestyle Academy in the heart of Laax, the first indoor freestyle base in Europe suitable for both pros and novices. Watch as people hit the jumps and land in the foam pits, or if you’re feeling brave, book a session and give it a go!
Noon - Your Powder Byrne resort team will have given you plenty of notice and arrange everything for your departure, so all you have to do is hop on to your luxury transfer and snooze your way back to Zurich airport.
4pm - Board your flight back to Heathrow and get ready for the next week ahead.
Riders Hotel
Riders Hotel is the coolest address in Laax, appealing to all varieties of travellers, with live music and events and a great après scene at the lively lobby bar. The rooms come in a range of shapes and sizes to accommodate couples, groups and families; utilising natural materials with a focus on sustainability and a commitment to using renewable energy and conserving its surrounding nature, citing the mantra: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. For those of you with your own skis and boards, the hotel has its own ready-to-use waxing room to get those skis and boards gleaming to perfection before you hit the slopes.
Stay at Riders Hotel for 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis from £1,100 per person. Call our travel consultants on 020 8246 5300 or make an enquiry on our website.
