The freestyle hall at the Freestyle Academy Laax was the first of its kind in Europe and for a long time unique in Switzerland. Since its opening in 2010, freestyle athletes - including mountain bikers - have been training their skills on trampolines, jumps and in the skate park. This was followed by the Skills Park in Winterthur, the largest multi-sports hall in Europe, which attracts many mountain bikers from a wide range of disciplines thanks to its big-air jumping facility on a landing pad, among other things. This was followed somewhat later by the Skills Park Lite in Bern. Now the three indoor freestyle parks have company, but not competition, with the Alaïa Chalet.

Fun and training both indoors and outdoors

The Alaïa, which covers around 5,000 square meters, is the western Swiss counterpart to the facilities in Laax, Winterthur and Bern and is located in the lower Valais winter sports resort of Crans Montana.
The facilities range from indoor and outdoor skate parks to trampolines and a jump facility with airbag landing integrated into the indoor skate park. BMX and dirt jump bikes can also be ridden here.

Two further attractions for various roller sports will open in April: a snake run (an asphalt descent with a moderate gradient, banked curves and small waves) that leads into a pump track.
If you're missing the equipment, you'll find it in the store - whether to rent or buy.

From work to lifestyle

The operators of the Alaïa Chalet don't just see the action sports center as a sports venue. Action sports and media, for example, go hand in hand, which is why the Alaïa has a media room. Video and photo productions can be realized here, but seminars can also be organized. The studio is also ideal for aspiring musicians or professionals to make recordings.
For all those who need a temporary workplace, the Alaïa also has a modern coworking space. This is ideally located just ten minutes from the Crans Montana cable cars and is designed to offer a relaxed atmosphere.

There is also a relaxed atmosphere in the in-house bistro and bar, where delicious dishes are served at fair prices, as well as organic juices, craft beers and homemade cocktails. In summer, there is a wonderful terrace with the best view for eating and lingering. An on-site food truck prepares small meals from local produce for guests.
Alaïa plans to open the Logde in September 2019. This is located just a few steps away from the chalet and should be the ideal place to spend a weekend or a week at affordable prices.

More than just a stopgap

Alaïa's concept is nothing new, but by no means a copy of its predecessors. The facility not only serves a previously missing offering in French-speaking Switzerland. With a media room and coworking space, the operators are moving with the times and enabling their guests to combine sport and work.


www.alaia.ch