World Ski Awards – the only global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in ski tourism – has revealed the winners of its 11th annual programme.

Winners include Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens, named ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’, thanks to a raft of pioneering new initiatives and facilities, plus its winning combination of snowsure pistes and extensive slopeside accommodation. Sleek urban design amid a spectacular mountain setting helped W Verbier to capture ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’, whilst compatriot Chalet Zermatt Peak claimed ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’.
Distinctive Japanese alpine design and lavish ‘six-star’ comforts helped HakuVillas to the title for ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’. And in another strong showing for Japan, Setsu Niseko emerged victorious as ‘World’s Best New Ski Hotel’.

Etoile du Nord, the hottest new address in Val d’Isère, claimed top honours, with East Wing (one of its two adjoining chalets) named ‘World’s Best New Ski Chalet’.

Switzerland’s LAAX, with its vast freeriding possibilities, was named ‘World’s Best Freestyle Resort’. Ski Dubai picked up ‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort’.

The results follow a year-long search for the world’s leading ski travel, tourism and hospitality brands. Votes were cast by ski industry professionals and ski consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named the winner.

Leo Trippi was voted ‘World’s Best Ski Travel Agent’, with Sunweb winning ‘World’s Best Ski Tour Operator’ and Snow Cab taking ‘World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator’.

The harmonious mix of architecture and nature helped LAAX’s rocksresort to the title for ‘World’s Best Green Ski Hotel’. Northern Escape Heli-Skiing collected ‘World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator’. The pan-European dominance of Compagnie des Alpes was acknowledged with the award for ‘World’s Best Ski Resort Group’. The state-of-the-art facilities of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel led to its recognition as ‘World’s Best Ski Resort Company’.

Sion Rapson, Managing Director, World Ski Awards, says: “Winning a World Ski Award signifies reaching the summit of ski hospitality. I congratulate our select group of winners for all their hard work, fortitude and unswerving commitment to excellence. This year we received a record number of votes from ski tourism consumers all around the world – most encouraging on the eve of the upcoming season. This signifies a rebound for the global industry and a return to pre-pandemic levels of interest and engagement.”

Awards were also announced on a country-level, featuring the best resorts and hospitality providers from the world’s best ski tourism destinations. For a full list of winners visit here. https://worldskiawards.com/winners/2023