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Flims Ski Holidays

At a glance

  • Authentic Swiss village
  • Snow sure

Great for

  • Intermediates
  • Families
  • Snowboarders

Ski Holidays in Flims

It’s the mystery of the century that Flims isn’t on the British radar. Reliable, glacial snow, food glorious food AND some of the longest runs on terra firma? It’s time this one had its heyday.

  • Flight Time
  • 1.5 hours
  • From London
  • Nearest Airports
  • Geneva, Zurich
  • Time zone
  • GMT + 1 hour
  • Language
  • German, French, Italian, Romansh
  • Currency
  • Swiss Franc
  • Ski Season
  • Dec - April

Flims Stats

Top Altitude
3018m
Bottom Altitude
1100m
Resort Altitude
1100m
Total Piste
225km / 58 runs
Longest Run
17km / 11 miles
Slope Orientation
S SE E
Vertical Drop
1918m
Skiable Vertical
Night Skiing
No
Glacier Skiing
Yes

The Swiss word for “peak” is “crap”… And, yes, lots of the mountains and buildings here bear the name. This is not, we repeat NOT, a sign. Beautiful, sprawling Flims and its super-stretched slopes are, in fact, anything but. The Brits and the tour operators haven’t clocked onto to it yet; it’s still one of the “Alps’ hidden gems” and accordingly packed with local flavor and midweek as quiet as a cathedral. Quite a turn-up, given this is part of a ski area where the Swiss Olympic team trains.

Though things down in town are so peaceful you could write your memoirs here, life for this striking valley started with a bang. The lab coats say it’s where the largest landslide to ever rock the Alps went down, thrusting the jagged ridge of the Tschingelhorner heavenward and leaving the sweeping views out over the Rhine gorge in its dusty wake. Ski trips to Flims are just one long series of Windows screensavers, and even the drive from Zürich airport passes quickly, as you roll through lush, green plains, past rickety huts and mist-shrouded mountains.

Linked to the resorts of Laax and Falera by lift pass, you get the slopes of three resorts for the price of one in the Flims-Laax-Falera (or, “White Arena”) ski area. Of the trio, Flims has the oldest and largest village. It sprang up in the 8th century and made waves as a spa location in the 19th. In Sorrentino’s film, Youth, Michael Caine chills out in the lavish pools at the Hotel Waldhaus and your aching bones won’t regret paying a visit to the set…

As for places to stay, the options are split between Flims Dorf, with the lifts, or Flims Waldhaus, spa-hotel central, a short shuttle ride up the scenic Via Nova. Both areas have their fair share of boutiques and a rich range of noms. And both are unfakably authentic. Expect to catch locals chatting round fountains, possibly in the neo-Latin dialect known as Retoroman – this is one of the last little pockets on earth where it’s spoken.

Winter Sports Ratings

Beginners

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboarding

Flims Transfer Times

Zürich Airport 1h40
Friedrichshafen Airport 1h30

The nearest airport to Flims is Zürich at 144 km or about 90 minutes by car

What's the ski area like in Flims?

The White Arena mountains are known for the super long runs from their tippy tops and the route from the Vorab Glacier to Flims is among the longest in the world (17km on upper estimates).

Which other ski resorts are near to Flims?

The nearest ski resorts to Flims include Laax.

Ski Area Facts

LocationGraubünden, Switzerland
Established1909
Downhill225km / 58 runs
Lift Pass77 CHF (adult single day pass)

Beginner Slopes

68km30%

Intermediate Skiing

67km30%

Advance & Expert Terrain

46km + 44km powder runs40%

Snowboarding Trails

225km / 58 runs100%

What is Flims like for Beginner skiers?

For a beginner, the options are gentle, but not overprotecting – the sort that push you to steady skiing very quickly. They start just above the base, with a wide beginner area and 3 magic carpets, well out of the way of the intermediate runs the rest of the mountain bombs down. Take all the time you need here, possibly in the capable hands of one of the FLF Ski School instructors. Once you can stand the test of skiing (not hobbling) down the blue-rated stretch back to base, you’re ready to graduate to higher and longer slopes like blue number 10. Next try blue 30 to Nagens from 2570m up on the Vorab glacier, some serious altitude for your first few days in the slats.

What is Flims like for Intermediate skiers?

If you’re an adventurous intermediate, these slopes were practically made for you. And the fact this makes up one of the biggest ski areas in Switzerland (225km) certainly doesn’t hurt. Intermediates in the White Arena are spoilt for choice of long, never-ending runs and everything from sweeping glacial slopes to winding, tree-lined trails – 120km of them rated blue and red. Among the standouts, the run from La Siala through Grauberg to Flims is 12km and has it all – steep, mild and off-piste routes, views that make you suck in breath and, most importantly, a route past the Startgels restaurant, where they do amazing things with polenta. Take as long as you like getting to know the mountain hut chow. Super quick new lifts like the Arena Express to Nagens and chair from Plaun to Crap Sogn Gion get you back up the mountain in a jiffy.

What is Flims like for Advanced skiers?

The White Arena’s short on super challenging steeps, but lifelong skiing locals still find challenges. They recommend starting at the top, on the long black run off the glacier to Alp Ruschein. Black route 65, a sustained challenge, runs from Crap Sogn Gion through the trees all the way to Laax.

What is Flims like for snowboarding?

Boarders are big on Flims thanks to the new Burton school, plus of course the fact Laax just over the way is considered THE world’s best Alpine freestyle resort. It has the longest halfpipe in the world, an Olympic-sized kicker pro-line and 90 + obstacles between its four snow parks, plus the Freestyle Academy, a big indoor park where you can practice jumps over foam pits and trampolines. These are all the rage in the US, but in Europe this is the first of its kind.

What is Flims like for off-piste skiing?

There are testing little pockets of off-piste all over the place, considered by many one of this ski area’s best bits – those from Cassons get locals talking most.

What is Flims like for cross country skiing?

Flims Laax is very suitable to those wanting to try cross-country skiing with 62km of trails, most of which are easy.

Flims Restaurants

To experience Flims in all its glory, it’s best to ditch the paleo diet prior to arrival. There’s gorgeous food of all different forms to be had here, whether getting glam with hay soup (possible, believe us) at Epoca or tucking into a feast you can eat with fingers at Anatolia Kebab. For a talking point, don’t miss a chance to ride the snowcat up to an impressive roast by the fire in the Ustria Startgels, or to take the chairlift to the Casa Berendi to gobble down local specialty, capuns, and a kirsch-spiked fondue before sledging (with gusto) back down to town. While the sun’s still beaming, the waistline continues to take a beating. Cafés, the LivingRuhm and Kaufmann Frauen, are two of the liveliest places in Flims. The former gets creative with coffee out of a former locksmith’s shack (very hipster friendly) and both churn out irresistible fresh-baked cakes.

Flims Après Ski

While Laax is the White Arena’s party animal, Flims sits firmly in the region of domesticated tabby, and that’s its charm. It’s hard to savour the dark, fruity undertones of your Nuits Saint Georges with David Guetta on full blast, and trust us, the food and wine here demands your undivided attention. 100% wooden Legna Bar is a rowdy exception, with an oft-heaving patio at the bottom of the homerun to Flims Dorf and Flims’ only club, the Arena Bar, delivers dance beats and a strong crowd if you find yourself in the mood for dancing. For help in that department, you’ll find 30+ forms of gin at the Gin and Oyster Club upstairs.

Flims Activites for Non-skiers

If the carb-loading’s making the salopettes start to feel more like skinny jeans, remove temptation and strike out on a hike along 60km of cleared trails to take in the valley’s visual splendour. Highlights include the wooden suspension bridge across the Rhine gorge, the ruined castle of Crap Sogn Barcazi and the Canaschal tower. Alternatively, lock yourself away indoors in the Prau la Selva complex. There’s a skating rink, ping-pong tables and shooting range to distract you.

Clothing Food & Souvenir Shops

Flims has more than 40 shops catering for all requirements and there is a more limited selection in neighbouring Laax.

Best Time to Visit Flims

With 70% of the White Arena slopes easily above the 2000m (6500ft) mark and the cooling influence of the Vorab glacier, Flims rarely frets about getting no snow, even with its mostly south-east (read: sunny) orientation. This typically makes it a winner for either early or late season skiing.

Even if the fog rolls in, the variety of terrain here works in your favour, with lots of wooded runs for the bad-weather days and sunny open pitches for the good ones.

If you like big boards and you cannot lie… Head over in mid-Jan, when the annual LAAX Open sees epic slopestyle and halfpipe competitions on Crap Sogn Giogn. Alternatively, wait for the end of the season, when the British Championships (The Brits) bring the hills to life with yet more slopestyle and halfpipe competitions and plenty of on-snow après – when you’ve got the biggest halfpipe in the world, might as well flaunt it.

What's Flims like at Christmas?

If, like us, a fondue, Swiss chocs and some snow-sure skiing hold the top spots on your Christmas list, a Christmas in Flims will feel like it’s been brought by the elves. Runs that go on forever swallow up the hours, but be sure to catch advent concerts and xmas markets for some festive spice and a chance to buy all things nice.

What's Flims like in the New Year?

From black-tie gala dinners at the Waldhaus to live beats and beer at the Legna Bar, New Year in Flims can take whatever tone you wish. One for the kids (and the cameramen), you can usually catch the chairlift up the mountain and sledge down while the fireworks glitter over the village.

What's Flims like in Half-Term?

The Snow Wonderlands are thrilling places for littlies to spend Half Term in Flims, while older offspring have a whale of a time racing down super long runs or practicing their double corks in Laax’s snowparks.

What's Flims like at Easter?

It’s good to have a glacier to hand for late season snow, and the high altitude of the slopes here means you’ll likely still have a huge range of runs for Easter in Flims. Skiing all morning and splashing in the crystal blue Caumasee in the afternoon’s a great way to work off the aftereffects of visiting the local chocolatier…

Flims Snow Conditions

Snow Report, History & Forecast

View our detailed Flims snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Flims snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Flims snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.

  • Sunny skies Today
  • Sunny skies Saturday
  • Cloudy skies Sunday
  • Sunny skies Monday
  • Light snow Tuesday
  • Moderate snow Wednesday
  • Current snow depth at top
    130 cm
  • Alternate Text
  • Current snow depth at base
    3 cm

The shaggy, fur-clad magician of local lore, Ami Sabi, has three separate “Snow Wonderlands” around Flims-Laax-Falera; friendly beginners’ areas where the FLF ski school instructors make learning to ski child’s play... Kitted out with huge tipis and wooden sculptures, these offer something a little different to the neon arenas that are kids areas on other mountains. All from the age of 3 can take part in daycare-lesson packages that are a thrill from start to finish. If your young get hooked on the local legends they share in class, you’ll find Ami Sabi books in local gift shops to take some of the magic home.

A “Families Wilkommen” seal of approval from the Swiss Tourist Board merely confirms what you’ll discover on arrival, that Flims is fab for families. Whether you bed down in an apartment or one of the many hotels with childcare, the shortage of all-night antics and never-ending supply of activities are just what little ones need. 5-star boarding facilities and non-stop runs, meanwhile, should keep your teens content. Plus, all love an afternoon splash in the hotel pools. Local gift shops stuffed with trinkets are just the cherry on the cake… Which (did we mention?) is beyond delicious here.

Tip: if there are budding boarders in the family, you may benefit from a hotel in Laax, where the Snow Wonderland incorporates features like a mini half-pipe and mini boarder-cross, plus the giant trampoline, indoor bouldering wall and Big Air of the Freestyle Academy (for those 6 years and up).

If mellow evenings over mellow wine and memorable food gets your group going, Flims has all the ingredients for a fantastic week of skiing... If you have moves like Jagger and want to air them, look to Laax. Between them, the resorts of the White Arena know how to keep groups happy. This 225km ski area (one of Switzerland’s biggest) has something for each level, including a tonne of mountain huts serving up the ultimate group food, Swiss fondue.

Bundling into the snowcat to dine at the Ustria Startgels, or starting up an after-dinner sledge race beneath the stars will prove that while Flims is quiet, it’s not dull. Ramp up the excitement even further with paragliding and helicopter flights or sessions on the indoor Bonaduz karting track.

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Ski Extras

How much is a ski pass in Flims

Maximum and minimum adult Flims lift pass prices ranged from CHF? to CHF? for 6 days access to the Flims ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Flims holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.

Lift Tickets Child Adult Senior
1 Day Price CHF21 - CHF26 CHF47 - CHF67 N / A
6 Day Price N / A N / A N / A
Age Range 6 - 12 18 - 64 65+

Getting to Flims

Most of our ski holidays to Flims packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Flims from nearby airports

How long does it take to fly to Flims from the UK?

Flights from London take about 1.5 hours to Geneva, Zurich. This table shows approximate transfer times to Flims from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.

Airport Distance Transfer Time
Zürich 144 km 90 minutes
Basel - Müllhouse 230 km 3 hours

How long does it take to drive to Flims from the UK?

Browse our self-drive ski holidays which include your car channel crossing, or go choose accom-only and book your car ferry or tunnel later.

How long is the transfer from nearest Switzerland train station to Flims?

The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Flims transfers.

Station Distance Transfer Time
Ilanz 12 km 12 minutes

Flims Maps

Flims piste map
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Regional map
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Town Map
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Going to Flims under your own steam

For independant travel to Switzerland, compare accommodation only with Flims self-drive packages which include Eurotunnel or ferry.

Accomm-Only & Self-Drive

See driving directions to and from Flims in Switzerland.

Enter your start location and click "Get Directions" to view the route:

Flims Ski Holiday Resources

Need help choose your Flims ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!

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Similar Ski Resorts to Flims in Switzerland


Every Sno holiday packaged with flights is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. All our suppliers are ATOL bonded, so your money is safe. In addition to this, payments for your holiday are held in trust, by NatWest bank and the Travel Trust, who insure every booking against supplier failure.

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