Rocksresort Laax – happiness on the slopes

It’s been two years since I made the switch from one board back to two boards. As a teenager, I temporarily became unfaithful to skis. After all, back then all the cool guys were out and about on a snowboard. But three years ago, the snowboard enthusiasm left me as quickly as it came. I didn’t feel like sitting around in the snow anymore or opening the bindings every time in flat places. My friend likes to say that snowboarding is just too difficult – for me and everyone else who has found their way back to the slim two boards in recent years. Be that as it may, since I’ve been on the skis again, the fun of it is also part of it again. However, there is one thing I miss. The comfortable snowboard boots that allowed you to tackle miles of distance without any problems. The ski boots are super comfortable on the slopes, but getting from A to B with them while still carrying the skis and poles around is not fun. The closer the accommodation is to the cable car station, the better.

Living at the edge of the slopes

In one of them we started our winter season last weekend. The Rocksresort Laax is exceptional in several respects. The complex, consisting of eight ashlars, was designed by Domenig Architekten Chur and completed for the 2010/2011 winter season. The first buildings were put into operation at an earlier date. The shape of the buildings is intended to be reminiscent of the Flims landslide, which formed the morphology of today’s Flims Laax Falera destination over 10,000 years ago. The resort includes over 120 2- to 8-bed apartments, shops, bars and several restaurants. So to speak, the “all-round carefree package” right next to the mountain railway. Another special feature is the architecture. The Rocksresort is a member hotel of Design Hotels™. In contrast to the striking façade of the building, restraint is celebrated in the rooms. The materials used are dominated by a skilful mix of wood elements and Vals quartzite. Large windows let in the warming winter sun and sometimes provide amusing moments (yes, you can see in from outside). The furnishings were accentuated with design classics from Cassina.

Each of the 4- to 8-bed apartments (except for the twin rooms) has a kitchen and a mini-spa in the bathroom. The guest can decide for himself how many hotel services (daily cleaning / linen change / fridge replenishment / access to the wellness area…) he would like to book.

We are accommodated in House H on the top floor in a cosy twin room. For breakfast, we have to walk a short distance to the Signina Hotel, which surprises us with a carefully prepared regional breakfast buffet. The Signinahotel is also home to the reception for the entire Rocksresort.

Laax, the freestyle mecca

Well fortified, after breakfast we are ready for the very first slope adventure of the season. We have already visited the ski area once two years ago as part of a day trip from Zurich. Nevertheless, I am curious to see how the ski area and especially the snow situation will present itself. Unfortunately, everything is still completely green in Laax below.

In full ski gear, we drive from our room on the fourth floor directly to the underground car park, which connects all the buildings underground. After a detour to the ski room, where our equipment is deposited, we are already standing in the queue of the cable car up to Crap Sogn Gion. It is striking how many snowboarders are out and about here. In many other ski resorts, the number of snowboarders has decreased dramatically in recent years. Laax as a freestyle mecca from the very beginning (Olympic champion Iouri Podladtchikov, for example, trains here), still seems to attract snowboarders and freeskiers from all over the world. A new highlight is planned for this season with the opening of the world’s longest halfpipe. We can only hope that temperatures will remain below freezing so that enough snow can be produced for this. In the smaller snow park, however, you can already watch the young and old cracks training new tricks.

Once at the top, we are pleasantly surprised at how good the quality of the slopes is. Thanks to artificial snow! At least between Crap Sogn Gion and Crap Masegn. If you switch to the opposite side via Fuorgla, you will be skiing on natural snow between the Vorab glacier and la Siala. But the snow is hard everywhere and so I can feel my thighs after just a few descents. They definitely need some more training before they can effortlessly ski down the slopes all day again. For the lunch break we traverse back to Crap Sogn Gion, where we let the sun shine on our faces in the serviced La Capalari and fortify ourselves with Graubünden barley soup and capuns. Afterwards we whizz down the slope towards Plaun (here we definitely need a heavy layer of snow) and then take the gondola back to the resort.

Après-Ski Rocksresort Style

After I have stowed the ski boots in the ski room and slipped into the comfortable sneakers, I am spoilt for choice. On the ground floor of the eight buildings, there are sporting goods shops, après-ski bars and cafés. Everyone will find a cozy place here. I, on the other hand, fatally get lost in The North Face Store and fall head over heels in love with a ski jacket. Well, I’ve wanted a new one for a long time… Also in terms of dinner, the Rocksresort offers a wide range. Either you cook in your own kitchen or you visit one of the numerous restaurants. From the burger corner (from 9 CHF) to the pizzeria (from 17 CHF) to the Gault-Millau restaurant, there is something for every taste. For example, if you know the restaurant Nooba from Zurich, you can also enjoy their Asian dishes in Laax. In any case, the offer of the Rocksresort differs massively from the typical rustic Swiss mountain village. They wanted to create an offer for the urban, young guest and I think that worked out pretty well. If you don’t fall into bed dead tired after dinner, you can let off steam on the trampoline at the Freestyle Academy (open until 9:00 p.m.) or order a drink at the bar at the Riders Palace and lounge on one of the sofas. Attention, on the weekends night turns into day. The event overview can be found here: Agenda Riders Palace

If you want to spend your winter holidays in a cosy mountain village, the Rocksresort is definitely the wrong place for you. But if you are looking for an urban ambience and a comfortable infrastructure, you will have fun here. Cable car, restaurants, indoor activities and cool shops less than 5 minutes away from each other in one place are the basis for a comfortable, relaxing winter holiday at the Rocksresort.

Information and tips about Laax

• Twin room from 249 CHF / night (depending on season and occupancy)
• Access to the wellness area at the Signinahotel costs CHF 30 per visit
• Admission to the Freestyle Academy costs 28 CHF (2.5 h) for adults. Before the first visit to the hall, an introductory course of 2.5 h (55 CHF) is mandatory.
• The pre-season ticket (until 19.12) for the Flims Laax Falera ski area costs 60 CHF. During the winter season (from 20.12) the regular day ticket costs 74 CHF.
• The day ticket for pedestrians costs 30 CHF. So if you don’t feel like skiing, you can comfortably trudge through the snow on the winter hiking trails.

Note: The stay was supported by the Rocksresort and the Weisse Arena – thank you very much for this. As always, my readers can be sure that I always represent my views and enthusiasm here.