France took double honours in the newcomer categories, with Bear Lodge, Les Arcs named ‘World’s Best New Ski Hotel’ and Val-d’Isère’s ski-in, ski-out Chalet Abade recognized as ‘World’s Best New Ski Chalet’.

With unrivalled views of the Matterhorn, Chalet Zermatt Peak claimed ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’, whilst Utah’s sumptuous Stein Eriksen Residences took ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’.

Leo Trippi was voted ‘World’s Best Ski Travel Agent’, with Sunweb winning ‘World’s Best Ski Tour Operator’.

Verbier’s superb skiing, state-of-the-art lifts, fine chalets and thriving après-ski proved a winning combination, as it was named ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’ for the second year. Ski Dubai, home to a superb array of snow-based activities, picked up ‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort’. The harmonious mix of architecture and nature helped LAAX’s rocksresort to the title ‘World’s Best Green Ski Hotel’. The pan-European dominance of Compagnie des Alpes helped it gain the award for ‘World’s Best Ski Resort Group’.

Switzerland’s LAAX, with its unlimited freeriding opportunities, was named ‘World’s Best Freestyle Resort’.

World Ski Awards – the global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in ski tourism – has unveiled its 10th annual programme winners. The Swiss resort made it a double celebration with W Verbier collecting ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’. Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, operating in British Columbia’s vast Skeena Range, collected ‘World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator’. Tesla Transfers collected the title ‘World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator’.

Sion Rapson, Managing Director of World Ski Awards, says: “Our winners represent the finest brands in global ski tourism and my congratulations to each of them. The 10th annual World Ski Awards programme received a record number of votes from ski consumers worldwide and serves as a barometer on the eve of the upcoming season.

Awards were also announced on a country level, featuring the best resorts and hospitality providers from the world’s best ski tourism destinations. The state-of-the-art facilities of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel led to its recognition as the ‘World’s Best Ski Resort Company’. 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 consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named the winner.

This shows that the appetite for ski tourism has never been more robust.

Written by: Jill Walsh

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