A Ski Resort Facing a Warmer Reality
High above the Alps, winter still looks busy at Laax. Skiers carve down slopes, snowboarders glide past, and lifts hum across the skyline. Yet behind this familiar scene, the resort is racing against climate change.
Reto Fry, environmental manager at the Weisse Arena Group, oversees sustainability at Laax. From the summit of Crap Sogn Gion, he looks out over ancient glaciers while focusing firmly on the future. He says Alpine ski resorts already feel the effects of warming winters, shorter snow seasons, and unpredictable weather. For him, adaptation is no longer optional.
Why Climate Change Threatens Alpine Winters
New research from MeteoSwiss and ETH Zurich shows Switzerland is warming at twice the global average. Alpine geography accelerates this change. Winters now bring less snowfall, heavier rain, and drier conditions overall.
For ski resorts, these shifts cut directly into the length and reliability of the season. Laax accepts this reality and has chosen to respond with aggressive sustainability planning rather than denial.
Building a Low-Carbon Base Village
Laax forms part of the wider Flims Laax Falera ski area, where sustainability begins at ground level. In the base village, hotels and facilities follow strict environmental standards.
Solar-powered buildings line the resort. Electric vehicles move quietly through streets. Vertical gardens cover lift stations to support birds and insects. Guests find plant-based menus, free drinking water stations, and even complimentary ski gear repair services to extend equipment life.
Rocks Resort and Riders Hotel recently earned international recognition for their green design, reinforcing Laax’s commitment beyond marketing claims.
Protecting Wildlife and Biodiversity
Sustainability at Laax also extends into nature conservation. The resort has planted more than twenty thousand flowers and perennials to support the endangered black mud bee. Designers even adapted hotel facades to create nesting spaces for the species.
Visitors can explore protected wildlife zones and walk the Senda del Dragón, the world’s longest treetop path. Along the way, they may spot ibex, mountain hare, eagles, or signs of returning wolves and lynx.
The On-Demand Gondola Changing Ski Transport
One of Laax’s boldest innovations sits just across in Flims. The FlemXpress is the world’s first on-demand cable car system. Instead of running constantly, gondolas only move when guests request them.
This system cuts energy use by about fifty percent, a major shift in an industry where most lift cabins travel empty. Resort leaders compare it to an Uber model for the mountains, with potential uses far beyond ski slopes.
Collaboration Beyond Competition
Laax understands it cannot solve climate challenges alone. In response, it helped launch the Global Sustainability Ski Alliance. The group includes major resorts across Europe, Scandinavia, and New Zealand.
Together, these partners represent hundreds of ski lifts and millions of skier days each year. By sharing data, solutions, and best practices, they aim to protect mountain environments while keeping winter sports viable.
Resort leaders say responsibility now defines success. They want visitors to see clear action, not empty promises.
