Flims-Laax-Falera ski resort is one of the largest interconnected snow resort complexes in the Alps, offering 220kms of extensive and varied skiing and snowboarding. The resort lies 140kms to the southeast of Zürich and offers stunning scenery and guaranteed glacier skiing from October to the end of April.

The resort consists of three villages, Flims, Laax and Falera. Flims is a small traditional village, and the major hotels are spread throughout, while Laax is newer and more purpose-built. All are well connected and have good shopping and wide-ranging accommodation, with over 25,000 beds available.

Flims-Laax-Falera ski resort has a combined 220kms of groomed slopes with 29 per cent beginner slopes; 32 per cent, intermediate; 20 per cent, advanced; and 19 per cent marked but not prepared. Twenty-nine lifts can move up to 42,000 skiers per hour. In addition, there are 60kms of cross-country trails.

Besides downhill skiing and snowboarding, you can choose from two dozen other activities, including: ice skating (natural and artificial); hiking; tobogganing; curling; horse-drawn sleigh rides; ice stick shooting; and mountaineering. In addition, there is a fitness centre and sauna; indoor swimming/tennis; ballooning; and bowling. The 2,500m Elephant Mountain Restaurant is a delight, and there are many bars and discos in the towns.

The extended season runs from October (Vorab Glacier) to April, while the best snow can be had from February to mid-March, and cheaper rates before the Christmas holidays, and from mid-March.

The most common way to get here, for non-package skiers, is to fly to Zürich and take a train, with a change at Zürich city and Chur, and then take a Postbus from Chur to Flims, Laax or Falera. Buses and trains return all day to the airport.