You know an event is legendary when you’re running on few hours of sleep, fueled by questionable amounts of coffee and Swiss chocolate, and still grinning like a maniac. The LAAX OPEN 2025 was exactly that—a high-flying, powder-dusted masterpiece that left my camera surprisingly intact and my legs questioning life choices.

The Arrival: Welcome to Snowboard Paradise

Our home base for the week? The ever-stunning Rocks Resort, where the rooms are sleek, the shower/bathtub is also a steam room, the beds feel like clouds, and the coffee machines save lives. Seriously, if you ever find yourself in Laax, do yourself a favor and stay here. Waking up to the sight of snowy mountains outside your window? 10/10 would recommend. Waking up to your roommate’s alarm at 5:00 AM because they “want to catch first light”? Less recommended.

The Action: Blink and You Miss It

As a photographer, my job was simple: capture the sickest tricks, dodge flying snowboards, and pretend I know how to properly layer in freezing conditions (spoiler: I don’t). Took me a good 10 minutes to find an appropriate position on top of the gigantic half-pipe to not risk sliding down the icy face during the shooting.

The halfpipe sessions were unreal. And wow, did the riders deliver. I was so focused on getting the shot that I didn’t even realize were flying out of the pipe and landing less than a meter away from my head with their sharp edges. Worth it.

The slopestyle course? Pure madness. Every jump, every rail, every heart-stopping moment of “Oh god, how many rotations are they gonna make?!” had the crowd (and me) screaming. I love nothing more than finding different positions on this long course to capture the riders from the best angle possible.

Après-ski

After a long day of shooting, there’s only one logical move: head to one of Laax’s legendary après spots. The mix of exhausted athletes, hyped-up fans, and photographers trying to dance in snowboard boots.

Final Thoughts & Big Thanks

To the incredible LAAX OPEN crew: you legends put together one of the most mind-blowing events of the season. To the riders: how do you even defy physics like that? To the Rocks Resort: your steam room saved my frozen fingers.

And to my camera: we made it through. Barely.

Until next year, LAAX—same time, same place, same photographers running on caffeine and vibes. Can’t wait!

Pictures: Nicki Antognini
Words: Nicki Antognini
Thanks to: the LAAX OPEN organisation team
Links: Final results