A few weeks back the ski media across Europe were predicting a damp squib for the forthcoming season with many resorts still mild and green throughout December...  Fast forward to now and parts of the Alps are experiencing the highest level snowfall in over ten years.

As temperatures dropped and wind speeds rose in advance of this January’s group press trip to LAAX, there was a lot of pre-departure webcam checking.  Would we make it out there and when there would we be able to see more than 5 metres in front of us?  Would we get trapped up the mountain with no electricity?  And my main concern, would we be cold and miserable? As it turned out, no.  Quite the opposite, we caught the tail end of the storm and as the winds died down LAAX was left with the best powder conditions in the resort since 1998 and some very happy skiers and snowboarders hitting the slopes. 

Opened in 2010, the freestyle academy continues to be a draw for boarders, skaters, bikers and general daredevils.   The only one of its kind in Europe, the academy offers a safe environment to practise new moves and perfect existing.  The UK press group took up the challenge admirably and from bunny hopping along a flat mat were soon flying through the air into a giant foam pit with the best of them. 

Also exclusive to LAAX, is the somewhat unusual Ami Sabi, a local mountain character created to entertain and educate the little ones about nature and life in the mountains.  Ami Sabi ambles with his trusty assistant between the three Snow Wonderlands in Laax, Flims and Falera providing a welcome break time to settle down around a fire with a snack.  The group of 2-6 year olds sing along with a guitar and then relax whilst listening to stories about Ami Sabi’s mountain friends including the frogs, birds, rocks and trees.

In short, to experience some of the best snow conditions of your life, now is the time to book a few days off work, get on a plane to Zurich and get to LAAX as quick as you can – you won’t regret it! www.laax.com