FACTS
| Project | Skills Center Learning Lab Lenzerheide |
| Client | Municipality of Vaz/Obervaz |
| Location | Lenzerheide, Switzerland |
| Construction period | Autumn 2025 and Spring 2026 |
| Project management | Lukas Häusler |
| Participating A-Team | Development: Kevin, Benni, Flurin Construction: Colin, Pablo, Bruno, Phil, Joel |
The Learning Lab in Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide is a pioneering training center for the next generation of mountain bikers. ALLEGRA was involved in many aspects of the project; our team assisted with development and planning and then built the skills center. The conceptual foundations were developed with numerous partners as early as 2024. LMS AG later contributed additional destination-specific perspectives. Our trail crew laid the initial construction groundwork in the Canols forest area in autumn 2025 and completed it in spring 2026. The official opening took place at the end of June 2026. This marks a milestone, and the project is intended to set an example for the entire region.
The Skills Center in the valley area is unique of its kind and a lightweight project in two respects:
1) SENSITIZATION
Making coexistence encounters tangible
This is about far more than traditional technical instruction or achieving cycling safety. A key aspect of the Fairtrail concept is embodied here: the entire area was developed under the motto "Raising Awareness Through Riding Fun." Important coexistence issues on our trails aren't explained, but experienced. Specifically, this means that instead of information panels, real, intuitive learning situations are created on the trail. The message: correct behavior is experienced, not read. At various playful stations, visitors discover on their bikes how agriculture, forests, wildlife, and other people interact with them on the trails. Each station recreates a real trail situation and guides participants intuitively and playfully toward appropriate action.
2) Variety
Maximum learning curve per square meter
Where else can you find such a wide variety of options for everything a mountain biker's heart desires? A jumpline next to tech trails. An easy, green loop next to challenging tech trails? Roots, switchbacks, and rock gardens alongside flowing burms and berms. Every feature, every trail, every element in the Learning Lap is, individually, an important component for learning, improving, and perfecting safe and excellent mountain biking skills. But seen together in one area, it's an unbeatable offering – almost guaranteeing a huge learning curve and a sense of accomplishment.
Kevin explained this very well and summed it up perfectly in a LinkedIn post:
DETAILS
The centerpiece is a main loop, complemented by technical lines of varying difficulty and a jump line. A separate balance area was deliberately omitted to minimize the impact on the landscape. Furthermore, a direct, conflict-free connection to the Canols sports field was created, allowing the bike school to lead groups safely into the terrain without interaction with motorized traffic.
🎥 Concept, Film & Edit: Max Schwarz
The training center addresses the most important conflict areas of mountain biking in the region:
Agriculture & Alpine farming
Fence crossings, herds of mother cows, and livestock guardian dogs are integrated into realistic but safe situations. Children learn when to ride, push, or stop. The Plantahof and local farmers, among others, provide support.
Forestry and forest management
Issues such as temporary closures or illegal shortcuts are made visible along the trails. A forestry figure points out logging operations or restricted areas and playfully teaches correct behavior. Among those involved is the responsible district forester, Sandro Sutter.
Nature & Wildlife
Animal figures, wildlife resting zones, and playful tasks such as "drive quietly" or "count animals" promote sensitivity towards wildlife. The initiative is supported by game wardens and the Graubünden Office for Hunting and Fishing.
Human-human coexistence
Signage, designated coexistence areas, and safety rules prepare children early on for appropriate behavior in the bike park and in public spaces. The concept is supported by organizations including Fairtrail Graubünden and the Department of Civil Engineering.
HOLD ONTO!
The training center opened on June 23rd. How many rounds can be completed in just 4 months, by mid-October 2026?
140,000 laps!
A big thank you...
…to Lenzerheide Marketing and Support AG , Dave Spielmann, Ruedi Gertsch, Marc Schlüssel, Swiss Snow Sports and Bike School Lenzerheide, Municipality of Vaz/Obervaz, SwitzerlandMobility, communicaziun.ch, Lenzerheide Bergbahnen AG and to our A-Team and everyone else involved for your courage and commitment to trying new things.
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