Laax Crap Sogn Gion Switzerland
Ecosign developed a transformative Resort Area Master Plan for Laax-Flims, Switzerland, optimizing 12,000 ha of terrain to accommodate 41,320 skiers daily. Their proposals for infrastructure improvements and a new pedestrian-oriented village paved the way for the resort's dramatic success.
In 1989, Ecosign prepared the first comprehensive Resort Area Master Plan for the classic alpine villages of Laax and Flims, Switzerland. Ecosign’s comprehensive study of 12,000 ha of terrain determined that the Laax-Flims mountain areas could accommodate up to 41,320 skiers per day, but only if substantial improvements were made to existing accommodation and transportation infrastructures in the nearby villages. Ecosign also proposed the construction of a pedestrian-oriented village comprised of 686 new tourist beds for overnight accommodation, in addition to commercial tourist space, meeting space and underground parking stalls.
In 1991, the two companies of Bergbahnen Crap Sogn Gion and Bergbahnen Flims entered into a joint operating agreement, forming a new company called Weisse Arena Gruppe. This corporate fusion, engineered by Gurtner, significantly improved the resort’s cash flow and saw skier visits rise by 30 percent, reaching one million skier visits annually. Weisse Arena Gruppe also reduced its number of operating lifts from 34 major installations to 27 key installations. The increased annual visitation, profitability and total revenues ranks Weisse Arena Gruppe as one of the top resorts in Switzerland.