The world-famous Snowpark Laax with the longest halfpipe in the world will be the scene of the DCL drone race from 28 to 30 March 2019 and will not only make freestylers’ hearts beat faster. At speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour, the drones race across the terrain and have an “icy competition” on the Crap Sogn Gion in front of the GALAAXY.

The DCL is the world’s first live high-speed race series for drones. In eight international teams, the world’s best drone pilots compete against each other and try to steer their homemade drones through an exciting course as quickly as possible. Drone Champions League races have taken place in Germany, France, Belgium, Romania, Liechtenstein, Spain and China.

Reto Gurtner, CEO of the Weisse Arena Group: “We are delighted to welcome the DCL in cooperation with Rapperswil and Zurich and to be the venue for one of the first drone races in Switzerland. Digitization, community and freestyle are all capitalized on in LAAX. And that’s exactly why this event, at which the drones will race through our snowparks, fits in so well with us”.

“A race at this altitude and in the snow is uncharted territory for us. The entire technology of drones has to withstand the extreme temperatures. This will be a challenge for all of us – a pure thrill. But with our races we want to create experiences that not only fascinate our pilots but also the spectators and fans again and again,” says Herbert Weirather, founder and managing director of DCL.

HSR SUPPORTING PROGRAMME

At the Drone Grand Prix Laax, the HSR Hochschule für Technik will offer a versatile supporting programme for drone enthusiasts not far from the race track. HSR’s drone research will show current projects at information stands and offer virtual reality drone flights. Visitors will also be able to test their own flying skills with mini drones.

Friday 11.00 – 15.00 h & Saturday 11.00 – 15.00 h
Info stand: Drone research at the HSR University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil
Information stand: VR flight via drone over the HSR campus + information about the technical study courses of the HSR

Friday 11.00 – 15.00 o’clock & Saturday 11.00 – 15.00 o’clock
Drone fun park for hobby pilots. Carried out by the HSR partner: Dracer

Friday 14.15 – 14.45 o’clock
Lecture: Development of a human-machine interface standard for drones
Prof. Dr. Christian Bermes, HSR University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil

Friday 15.00 – 15.30 o’clock
Lecture: Drones for research in the high mountains
Dr. Yves Bühler, WSL – Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF

More information about the HSR supporting programme can be found here.

Tickets

• Lift service until 4.30pm with a valid day or season ticket for free.
• Evening tickets (from 4.30pm) at following prices:
• Adults CHF 21.00
• Youths CHF 14.00
• Children CHF 7.00

• Tickets available at cable car information from 3-6.30pm.

CABLE CAR OPERATIONS

Cable car Laax-Crap Sogn Gion

• Runs every 20 minutes
• Last ride uphill 6.30pm
• Last ride downhill 8.30pm

Gondola Laax-Curnius

• Last ride uphill 6.15pm
• Last ride downhill 7pm

Chair lift Curnius-Crap Sogn Gion

• Last ride uphill 6.30pm
• Last ride downhill 6.30pm

OPEN SLOPES

• Until 6.15pm slopes P60 and P64 (from Curnius) are open. The slopes are not illuminated.
• From 6.15pm all slopes are closed. Only option to travel down to Laax via cable car.