Laax has just upgraded it’s reputation as Europe’s pinnacle freestyle resort even further and reopened it’s Freestyle Academy. This wasn’t a case of giving the park a fresh lick of paint, the entire building was rebuilt and with that came a plethora of new parks and features. Now the academy boasts a full sized vert ramp, 2 levels of skate areas, including a mini ramp and street set up and a really nice skate bowl too. There is also a parkour area, a trampoline area, multiple airbags and a gymnastic track. Once you have finished your session, or are looking after the kids, there is a coffeeshop and a Vans shop, providing all of the latest product offerings. The Freestyle Academy is an outstanding venue and offers plenty of entertainment on either a bad weather day or just if you want to come for a session.

Trampolines and Airbags for days at the Freestyle Academy. Photo Jennifer Lang

So why did the Freestyle Academy need to be changed? We spoke to Reto Poltera one of the head honchos of Laax to find out more.

Reto Poltera: “ The academy is open for everyone, whether you are a child starting to skate or to learn acrobatics but you can also be a superstar and we offer the best facilities that you can get. Whether you come here alone, or with a family, we have something for everyone here.”

You just did a big make over of the Freesyle Academy, can you tell me why that was necessary?
If you want to continue the feeling of freedom, then you need a facility like this. A lot of places don’t have the possibility to skate in winter, so we need a place like this so people can come all year around.

Why do we need places like the Freestyle Academy for the youth?
A lot of kids want to learn freestyle and in the past, this was only possibly in the streets. This can be a little dangerous, but here at the Freestyle Academy and especially with the coaches, people can progress in a safer way. Your parents are happy if you can learn tricks and without accidents, the risk is much smaller here. My daughter comes here and can develop at the same speed as the boys, it can be intimidating to go to street spots for girls, and the acaedemy also helps with this.

Laax has everything you need right now for freestyle, what else can we expect to see in the future?
We never stop, maybe in 5 years we change the entire set up of the academy. In the future we would like to add more skate features outside too. We want to be the place thats a dream for skaters from all over the world to come and visit. Imagine if you could go hiking up the mountain and go skating. We have the best facilities in winter, my vision is to make similar facilities for the summer too.

Hedda Hjertberg and Selma Pettersen Photo: Jennifer Lang

So what do other people think of the new and improved Freestyle Academy? We spoke to Sam Beckett who is the Team GB Skate Coach.
”I’ve made loads of good connections from Laax. Team Trouble is a great community for European and international skaters. Laax has been the catalyst for a lot of skaters to come together and hang. Having events like that are held in the academy is helpful to bring people together. We have hopes to bring the British team to Laax to skate here, it would be really beneficial for them to come and experience the mountains, it’s not often you end up the beautiful mountains to go skating”

Ilon Vindvi giving us a glimpse of the bowl. Photo: Jennifer Lang

The Freestyle Academy has really given everyone another reason to visit Laax. Or if you are already in the area, a place to spend countless hours. For further info on the Academy or to book a lesson head over to their website below.
https://freestyleacademy.com/laax

Event Recap: Reopeing of the Laax Freestyle Academy

Nitro presents THE QUIVER – Full Film

VANS: You Are Inside Your Heart