A week riding Laax, Switzerland.
Join Mint Tours for a truly unique trip to the home of European snowboarding in LAAX, Switzerland. This tour is hosted by Ingemar Backman who will show you why this is one of the best freeride and freestyle resorts in Europe. Throughout the week you’ll also get to ride with Laax local and all-time legend Nicolas Müller.
We’ve timed this trip to run during the legendary Sudden Rush Banked Slalom. Expect to see European snowboarding legends and local shredders compete. Whether you want to watch the action for the sidelines or are keen to enter, this trip is about bringing snowboarders together, having a blast and shredding with like-minded people.
Laax is one Europe’s most snow-sure regions. You can expect anything from perfect bluebird to deep powder days. LAAX is the ultimate training ground for some of the worlds best snowboarders. Whether its park laps or pow turns you’ll be stoked to be riding some of the best terrain in Europe
Laax is to Switzerland what Mammoth is to California – a freestyle Mecca that attracts snowboarders from far and wide to its perfectly built parks and pipes. Although Laax trades on the reputation of its freestyle terrain, there’s a whole lot more to it than that with incredible natural features from rock drops to open pistes and gullies. It says a lot that Nicolas Müller, widely known as one of the world’s best snowboarders, has chosen to make his home here.
Dates
1 - 7 March, 2024
Duration
6 nights I 5 days riding
Price
Register - 2024 prices coming soon!
Tour Type
Freeride - on/off-piste and in the trees
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
LAAX
Freeride Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
ABOUT LAAX
The Flims Laax Falera ski resort is one Europe's most snow-sure regions and is located only 90 minutes from Zurich Airport and 20 minutes from the township of Chur. With 220 kms of runs and altitudes ranging from 1,100 metres to 3,018 metres (Vorab Glacier), there's plenty of terrain to ride for every ability level from bowls, pistes, parks, pipes and trees.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
You can expect anything from alpine powder and tree riding to perfect bluebird days. Even if we don’t get fresh snow overnight, the altitude and our local knowledge will ensure you’ll be able to ride light dry snow days after a storm. Temperatures range from +5 during the days through to -10 celsius at nights.
LAAX POWDER
When there’s fresh snow, the best place to head for open, high alpine lines is up to the top of the Vorab glacier. Ride straight down from the top of the T bar, and make a short hike to the top of the Vorab Pign peak at 2,897m. You’ll be rewarded with the kind of wide-open powdery bowl that dreams are made of. It’s not particularly steep or technical (though you can make it more so, depending on where you drop in) but you’ll be howling for more as soon as you finish. If the snow’s coming down hard there are plenty of good tree run off the Plaun chair. This area is also great if you want to tap into your inner Müller and practice your methods off of wind lips, rocks and pillows – there is plenty of amazing natural terrain round here.
LAAX PARKS
Laax has the best park setup in Europe with four parks that cater for all different ability levels. Laax’s parks are not only massive, they’re impeccably shaped. Every kicker, from the smallest green right up to the monster booters of the pro line, will send you perfectly to the sweet spot. They’re all well-spaced too, so it won’t kill your run if you scuff your first trick, and the gradual steps ups make progressing easy. It also boasts not one but two halfpipes both of which are shaped on a daily basis and regularly used by pros like Jan Scherrer and Markus Keller to train. And then of course there’s the 2km long piste-come-fun park. Lapping this in the sunshine is about the most fun you can possibly have on a snowboard.
LAAX PISTES
It’s hard to find fault with Laax’s pistes. Riders will enjoy 224 kilometres of perfectly groomed, wide-open slopes, serviced by 28 ultra-modern lifts, 70 per cent of which are situated at 2,000–3,000 metres above sea level, making LAAX one of the most reliable snowboarding regions in the world to find snow. There’s nothing too steep or tricky here – it’s all just fun. The amazing Curnius piste is a run created by the park staff that is not only full of park features from top to bottom but also has heaps of side hits and fun natural shapes to jib off. There are some great runs down from the Vorab glacier at the top of the resort – big, wide, cruisy reds and blues. The run down into Flims is probably the most epic – you can start right from the glacier if you really want to give your legs a test. But the best bit is the red 18 on the piste map, which winds down through the trees and even cuts through a rock tunnel at one stage.
LAAX PARTY
There’s no avoiding the fact that food and drink are pricey which is why we include breakfasts and dinners as part of this tour. If you do want to eat on the hill, the best place to have a beer a bite and maybe do a spot of pro-stalking is the GALAAXY up at the top of the snowpark. They do great coffee too, and you won’t have to remortgage your house for a latté. The Rocks Resort, clustered around the bottom of the slopes in Laax, has a few restaurant options including the Nooba noodle place and the imaginatively-named Burgers which serves, you guessed it, burgers. Rustica Pizza just down the road which does good Pizza for an affordable price. If you’re after an après pint, the famous Crap Bar (‘crap’ means ‘rock’ in Romansh, so stop sniggering at the back!) at the bottom of the slopes is a good place to start. The Living Room Bar is probably the pick of the bunch for après.
ESSENTIAL INFO
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- 6 nights slope-side accommodation, twin share ensuite room, Signina Hotel
- 5 days of on-snow guiding
- 5 day lift ticket
- 6 breakfasts at the hotel (all dietary needs catered for)
- Arrival and departure transfers, Zurich Airport
- Hosting and guiding by Mint Tours
- Fully-escorted tour, guide on hand throughout the tour
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- All lunches – expect to pay on average EUR 20 – 30 per meal
- All dinners – expect to pay on average EUR 30 – 50 per meal
- Any meals, drinks, snacks not listed
This tour is suitable for intermediate to advanced snowboarders and skiers who are comfortable riding the whole mountain. All the guiding is within the resort boundary.
If you’re not quite up to the ability level for this tour, don’t dismiss the possibility of experiencing the best powder turns of your life! Talk with our team and they will be able to make recommendations for other suitable tours, or how to work towards joining this tour.
When you are ready to book, we’ll ask you to self-evaluate what type of rider/skier you are. This will help us book you on the right tour. The more accurately you’re able to self-assess your on-snow abilities, the more you (and others in your group) will be able to relax and enjoy your tour.
This tour is 6 nights and runs from Sunday to Saturday. You’ll ride the resort mid-week to avoid the weekend day-trippers and maximise your time on-snow. If 6 nights isn’t enough, then book one of our multi-tour combo’s. Join us in Laax, then join our Innsbruck Freeride Tour from 10 – 16 March, 2024. Details HERE
DATES
- 3 – 9 March, 2024
BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR
Book this as a private tour with your own guide and all the benefits of a Mint group tour – for any group, big or small. Booking a private tour so you can ride with like-minded friends is the best way to guarantee the speed and ability levels of your group.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT IS A FREERIDE TOUR?
Our Freeride Tours offer you the best chance to ride off piste and in powder. Our experienced guides have an in-depth knowledge of the resorts we visit, which gives you the ultimate advantage when your chasing deep, un-tracked snow. We’ll aim to ride and ski a lot of powder, glades and trees so please be prepared to ride and ski in the trees for 5 days straight. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that a destination has to offer. The accommodation for this tour is twin share i.e. 2 guest per room / 2 beds per room. Solo travellers will be paired with a room-mate to share with.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes, all lift tickets are included for this tour. Please note that none of the resorts that we visit on this tour are on the Ikon or Epic Pass.
BUDGETING FOR THE TOUR
An estimate of spending money for the week is around EUR 500 – 700 to cover lunches, dinners, drinks, snacks and a couple of apres sessions. Here’s an indication of what you can expect to pay for meals and activities:
- Lunches – expect to pay EUR 20 – 30 per meal
- Dinners – expect to pay EUR 30 – 50 per meal
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK?
It’s hard to estimate when the tour will fill up, so our advice is to book as soon as you’ve made the decision to travel. That way you can secure your preferred travel dates and you won’t be disappointed. Bookings close 90 days before a trip departs, however most tours typically fill up well before this.
WHAT IS THE ITINERARY?
For further information, including a tour itinerary send us an enquiry.
WHAT TYPE OF TERRAIN WILL WE RIDE/SKI?
On this tour we will ride a mix of terrain within the resort boundaries. There’s a range of terrain to access from alpine, bowls, playful or challenging tree runs, some with features such as pillows and drops. In March you can typically expect deep snow, soft landings and lots of fun features. All guiding is conducted within the resort.
FITNESS
Whether you’re a snowboarding veteran or have just booked your first tour, the best thing you can do to get the most out of your Mint experience is to start a pre-trip fitness regime. We’re not looking for you to be an Olympic athlete, but you do need some fitness endurance. You’ll spend five, full and consecutive days on-snow, so you should be physically fit enough to comfortably ski/ride for five consecutive days. Your muscles should be up to this task, and your cardio fitness means you can sustain a consistent pace.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowboarding and an eagerness to explore all that Europe has to offer.
HOW MANY PEOPLE IN MY GROUP?
Each tour is different, but we know that by offering one of the smallest client to guide ratio in the industry allows you to ride at your preferred pace, and ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. Our typical guest to guide ratio is 6 : 1.
WHICH RESORTS WILL WE VISIT?
This tour is based at the Flims Laax Falera ski area.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
Yes, we can arrange pre or post tout accommodation. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. The guides for this tour are Ingemar Backman and Jarred Dowson.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered by comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure.
CAN I BRING MY PARTNER WHO DOESN’T SKI OR SNOWBOARD?
We can tailor the tour to suit your non-skiing or snowboarding partner. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
HOW DO I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour specialists. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO ZURICH?
We’ll provide you with instructions to get to our meeting point in Zurich. If it’s your fist time to Switzerland or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
DO YOU TAKE SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS?
Yes. We are ski and snowboard friendly. Please note that all our tours are led by snowboard guides.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
High quality rental equipment is available at Laax.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Laax can be a very cold place in winter, with temperatures typically ranging from 0 to -15°C / 32 to 5°F. We strongly recommend that guests dress in layers of clothing specific for traveling in backcountry areas. We recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, insulated layer(s), merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light and high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. Guests will need to bring their own ski or snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear). Powder boards and ski’s are recommended.
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowboarding and an eagerness to explore all that Europe has to offer.
GRATUITIES
The Mint team is committed to ensuring that you enjoy the trip of a lifetime. While gratuities are not included in your tour cost – nor are they mandatory – they are gratefully accepted. Gratuities are divided among the guides and team who will take care of you throughout your tour.
PRICE
Coming soon!
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
To secure your spot on tour a 50% deposit is payable to secure your booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
View our terms and conditions HERE