Mad Dog Ski: Ski Resort guidebooks for Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland

On the piste - Laax/Flims - Switzerland

At 1100m Flims Dorf is the lowest point in what is known as the Alpenarena, 220km of well-connected piste covering Flims, Laax and Falera. The highest point in the area is the Vorab glacier at 3018m above sea level. A total of 27 lifts and gondolas connect the area, and if you're starting from Flims Dorf you have a choice of the Arena Express, a six-man gondola which connects you quickly into the heart of the area via Plaun (1630m), or the three-man chair in the direction of Foppa.

Overall there are plenty of pistes to explore and they're well marked and signposted. There's a good choice of mountain restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets - although you need to plan ahead if you're looking for something specific.

Our favourite runs

Beginners:
The choice beginner runs around Foppa / Startgels / Naraus include pretty easy blues that connect down to the village.

Intermediates:
Number 10 from La Siala to Flims Dorf makes a great last run of the day.

Advanced:
The glacier offers limited vertical, but also accesses a superb black away from the lifts to Alp Ruschein, of 1250m vertical.

Off-piste:
There is an abudance of off-piste in Laax/Flims - in such a sunny area, timing your runs can be crucial to avoid rock-hard moguls.