Laax, Switzerland – Set to be Europe’s first indoor freestyle ski and snowboard facility, the Laax Freestyle Academy will open at the base station in Laax this Dec. 4, leading the list of new developments at the Swiss ski and snowboard resort this season.

The Freestyle Academy will include features suitable for both for beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders. The Freestyle Academy will allow not only snowboarders and skiers, but also skaters and BMX riders to perfect existing moves and try out new ones in the safety of a padded environment. The jumps, ramps and ridges are all coated in the latest indoor surfacing, Snowflex, which allows users to bring in their own equipment.

Staff will be available to host training courses and lessons for skiers and snowboarders to practice new jumps and tricks before trying them out in one of Laax’s four snow parks or Europe’s largest halfpipe. An introductory course will be available as well as private lessons and group camps.

Back outdoors, this year Laax is opening a new 2.5km freestyle slope running from Crap Sogn Gion to Curnius. The slope will be suitable for all levels to try out their freestyle moves on rails, obstacles and boxes of different sizes.

Laax has also further improved its lift facilities this year by modernizing the base station of the Crap Sogn Gion cable car and adding 20% more capacity. The capacity of the Arena Express cable car from the base station of Flims has also been enhanced, ensuring more convenient and speedy trips to the slopes.

Also in the Laax base area, rocksresort has now completed eight buildings, all in its minimalist motif. The peculiar cube-shaped buildings feature two- and four-bedroom rental apartments and a variety of sports and fashion shops, all arranged around a central square. The family friendly Ristorante Camino now offers Italian fare in the signinahotel, a four-star boutique hotel is also integrated into the complex.