What does it mean to go freeriding?

First of all, it’s not like skiing in the park or on the slopes. You can’t just go up without planning. You have to check the snow conditions, avalanche danger, equipment, terrain and a few other things.
But let’s start from the beginning. You have to find yourself a good crew of shred-buddies. The gang should not only be fun to ride with, but they should have your back, if something bad happens. And remember something bad can happen anywhere and no matter how safe the forecast promised. Also, make sure to check each other’s beacon signals before you start the day. Try to find faces according to everyone’s level and respect every group member’s decision.

Avalanche equipment

I’ve heard these sayings way too often: “Do I really need a backpack?”, “It doesn’t seem to be dangerous today, I’ll leave my avalanche gear in the car!”, “Holy shit I just realised I didn’t switch my beacon on all day.”
To be prepared for dangerous situations in the backcountry, you need a beacon, it has to be switched on (position send), a proper shovel (no plastic) and also a probe.
Nowadays everyone is talking about avalanche airbag systems. It is definitely a good add on to the rest of your avalanche gear, but it’s not essential. I personally think that this technology makes people feel more comfortable than they should, while riding lines that they normally would think twice about without an avalanche backpack. And it’s important to not replace the rest of the avalanche equipment with just an airbag backpack! If one of your friends gets buried under an avalanche, your technical backpack cannot save or help them.
Furthermore, it is essential to know how to use all that avalanche gear. So, figure out exactly how your shovel, probe and beacon all work and what features they have. An avalanche course to learn all the basics is very important, as well as training from time to time. It’s not only a learning process, but it’s also very interesting to learn about snow conditions, rescue techniques and rules of behaviour in tricky avalanche situations, in a group.

What does Laax offer for freeriders?

For a few years now, Laax has offered multiple avalanche training possibilities: beacon checks, a training field in “Plaun”, where you can get test your searching skills. I have personally done a spontaneous training session between two slope runs and it was a great experience, really exhausting though!
For the beginning of this winter, Laax has built a “Freeride Base” in Nagens. This nice coffee place not only serves the best coffee of Laax, but also aims to inform and instruct people on the freeride world. This is the meeting place for freeriders from the whole ski area. While having a very delicious coffee skiers and snowboarders can exchange experience and pass on advices. The freeride base also offers avalanche courses for everyone, if you are a beginner or pro. Furthermore, you can get tons of information about not only avalanches, but wildlife, nature and many other interesting facts in the Flims, Laax, Falera area. If you are missing out on any equipment to go freeriding or powder riding, they sell it all. It is worth a visit for sure!

What makes Laax special for powder and adventure lovers?

Laax offers all kinds of terrain you can imagine. From playful pillow lines, to super steep big mountain lines. It has some exciting ski routes, for example the very long and fun one from “Masegn” all the way down to the valley station of “Falera”. I could go on for quite a while, but the only way to get the whole experience and diversity of the Laax ski area, is to book your trip and experience it yourself. Enjoy the coffee at “Freeride Base” and get yourself some faceshots all over the resort.

Have fun and most important, stay safe out there!

Pictures: Nicki Antognini
Words: Sebi Geiger
Location: Laax, Switzerland
Thanks to: Andrej Perko and Alex Benz for joining the shooting, and thanks to Laax for having us.