Close to Zürich...something for everyone
Laax, neighbouring Flims and Falera are separated by a few kms by road, but offer a well joined-up ski area with an extensive range at good altitude. Easy access from Zurich is a clear advantage for holiday visitors and property owners. The villages have old traditional centres and they have grown in size with a mixture of alpine style and contemporary architecture. Laax is one of the top resorts for freestyle skiing and boarders, featuring many high profile competitions, it has Europe's biggest half-pipe. In general the ski area is well suited to intermediates with some excellent long runs and extensive varied slopes, for the adventurous there is plenty of good off-piste, and beginners have nursery slopes at village level. There are a wide range of restaurants both on the mountain and in the valley, catering to all pockets and tastes. Laax is the liveliest spot for après-ski. There's cross-country skiing, tobogganing, an ice rink, sports centre and 100km of winter walking trails. For summer visitors, lakes to swim in, golf, mountain biking and other Alpine activities are all there, set in stunning scenery. The Rhine gorge, aka the Swiss Grand Canyon, is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Graubünden. Take the train to see it up close.
Property in Flims Laax Falera
The area offers a wide variety of properties reasonably priced given the proximity to affluent Zurich. Buyers/owners are generally Swiss and Swiss-based expats, however there are few restrictions for buyers from overseas. Properties for sale in Laax and Flims are generally apartments in modern or more traditional chalet buildings. Chalets for sale in Laax and Flims are less common on the market, but well worth a little patience. Prices have been especially buoyant over the past 5 years, with an exceptional 15.7% increase in 2022 followed by 3.4% in 2023 (UBS) and average price of CHF 16,400 per sqm. The Rocks Resort at the Laax valley station right next the the ski-lifts is in a world of its own, ultra modern with great facilities including use of the Signina hotel. This ongoing development offers buyers an innovative package well suited for property investors and the rental market.
A guide to Flims Laax Falera
The Flims Laax Falera ski area consists of three villages at the base of a range of mountains with a large and interconnected ski area of 220kms. Only 1.5 hours by car from Zurich, it is popular with Swiss weekenders and second homeowners. Falera has become a village in its own right. Laax Dorf is a pretty residential village by a lake whereas Laax sits at the foot of the Crap Sogn Gion lift and is mostly modern apartment and hotel buildings. Heading further along the valley brings you to the pretty and residential Flims Waldhaus and then on to Flims Dorf at the foot of the ski lift.
A free bus shuttle connects all five villages. Falera sits at 1220 metres, Laax Dorf at 1020 metres, Laax at 1100 metres, Flims Waldhaus at 1130 metres and Flims Dorf at 1100 metres, and the sunny orientation can mean the lower slopes close early. However, the mountains rise to 3020 metres so when conditions are good there is an impressive 2000 metres of vertical to ski. The area can be very crowded during weekends but is generally quiet during the week out of peak season.
Flims Laax Falera Ski Area
This is one of Switzerland’s largest ski areas, with 220km of ski pistes served by long gondolas from Flims Dorf and Lax and a quad chair from Falera. The runs at the lower level are wooded and ideal for foggy days. From mid-station the mountains open up and a large selection of blue and red runs are available all the way up to the glacier at 3,020 metres. On the Flims side of the mountain the Grauberg valley has some nice long runs and on the Laax side there is a wonderful black run down from the top of the glacier to Lavadinas.
Most of the skiing is perfect for beginners and intermediates. Experts will enjoy the off piste terrain from La Siala and Cassons as well as the freeride areas. The area has become a mecca for freestyle skiers and boarders with a large area dedicated to terrain parks and half-pipes, an Olympic Super pipe as well as indoor freestyle facilities. There are 55km of cross-country trails and 100km of winter walking trails.
Après ski in Flims Laax Falera
With such a large number of weekenders, the area has a vibrant après ski scene centred around Laax. It kicks off on the mountain at Crap Sogn Gion where Caffè NoName has live music and great views over the snow parks. It’s particularly popular with the boarders and freestylers. In the town itself the Satellite Bar has a large drinks menu, music and a great atmosphere. There is also Il Pup in Rocksresort which serves everything from Hot Chocolate to cocktails. Clubbers congregate at the trendy Riders Palace Hotel where top international acts guest at the weekends.
In Flims Dorf check out Legna Bar and Living-Ruhm Flims. Flims Waldhaus has a good selection of wine bars with live music such as the Segnes and the Grand Bar.
Eating Out in Flims Laax Falera
There’s a huge choice for lunch venues on the mountain. Caffè NoName serves no-nonsense soup and sandwiches with a view. Das Elephant is great for long lunches. Over in Flims La Vacca is a cool steak restaurant in a heated tipi at the top of the Plaun gondola. Gourmands will enjoy Tegia Larnags which produces the finest regional and Swiss dishes at lunch and in the evening - on the ski run down to the base station, it is a good spot to stop off for a sundowner at the end of the day.
Down in the valley the main restaurant hubs are in the hotels. The Rocksresort in Laax has 8 restaurants in the complex serving everything from Asian to burgers, seafood to Italian. The Waldhaus Flims Grand Resort & Spa houses six restaurants from pizza to fine dining at Restaurant Epoca. Local specialities are the focus at Da Nus and Clavau Vegl in Flims Dorf, while over in Falera Casa Seeli is recommended.
Summer in Flims Laax Falera
The area is rich in possibilities for those who like the outdoors. The Sardona area above Flims is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fantastic place to discover how tectonics shaped this part of the Alps. Or raft down the Rhine Gorge between Reichenau and Ilanz, also known as the Swiss Grand Canyon. For a more genteel visit, take the train instead.
Hikers can pick from 250km of marked trails and 3 azure swimming lakes to cool off in. Or if you prefer to enjoy the outdoors on two wheels you have up to 330km of MTB trails to choose from. It is a great place to spend a golf week – there are 9 courses within one hour of Flims including the famous Buna Vista club in Sagogn.
• Other Destinations in the Swiss Alps •
Andermatt Champéry Crans-Montana Grimentz Flims Laax Falera Grindelwald Gstaad La Tzoumaz Nendaz Saas Fee Verbier Veysonnaz Villars