World Ski Awards Announced
13th November 2023
Last modified on November 14th, 2023
It claims to be the only global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in ski tourism. It has revealed the winners of its 11th annual programme. UPDATED
Winners include Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens, named ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’.
It won the title thanks to a ‘raft of pioneering new initiatives and facilities, plus its winning combination of snowsure pistes and extensive slopeside accommodation’.
🏆✨ Val Thorens couronnée “Meilleure Station de Ski du Monde” pour la 8ème fois aux #WorldSkiAwards ! Merci à tous pour votre soutien. Continuons de briller ensemble ! #LiveUnited #BestSkiResort pic.twitter.com/NSqdtJYLK5
— ❄️ Val Thorens ❄️ (@Val_Tho) November 13, 2023
“This award represents the hard work of all resort staff whom I would like to salute for their involvement, teamwork and imagination,” said the director of Val Thorens Tourist Office, Vincent Lalanne.
![Vincent Lallane. Image © PlanetSKI.](https://planetski.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_1578-800x423.jpeg)
Vincent Lalanne. Image © PlanetSKI.
“We’re very proud to win again and I would like to thank our customers from all over the world for their unfailing support.
“We’re dedicated to delivering excellence and continually developing the resort to ensure a fantastic holiday experience for everyone.”
PlanetSKI will be in Val Thorens in a couple of weeks for its opening and we have previewed what’s new for this winter in the resort:
‘Sleek urban design amid a spectacular mountain setting’ helped W Verbier to capture ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’.
Chalet Zermatt Peak claimed ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’.
Verbier was voted ‘the Best Ski Resort in Switzerland’.
![Verbier, Switzerland. Image c/o Steve Sparks.](https://planetski.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0151-600x800.jpeg)
Verbier, Switzerland. Image c/o Steve Sparks.
It opened for skiing last weekend, Friday 10th November, after recent heavy snowfall:
“This new award highlights the work done by all the destination’s tourism partners, as well as the attachment of Verbier and Val de Bagnes’ guests, residents and long-standing regulars,” said the director of Verbier Tourisme, Simon Wiget.
“It is therefore a collective victory for the entire destination, for all those involved in tourism and the economy in Verbier and Val de Bagnes, as well as for its main and secondary residents.
“This award has had a very tangible impact on our destination, in terms of international reputation and awareness, media impact and, ultimately, an increase in visitor numbers to the destination.”
‘Distinctive Japanese alpine design and lavish ‘six-star’ comforts’ helped HakuVillas to the title for ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’.
And in another showing for Japan, Setsu Niseko was victorious as ‘World’s Best New Ski Hotel’.
Etoile du Nord, 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 freeriding options, was named ‘World’s Best Freestyle Resort’.
Ski Dubai picked up ‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort’.
![Ski Dubai](https://planetski.eu/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0202-800x600.jpeg)
Ski Dubai. Image © PlanetSKI.
The results come from 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’.
“We’re really pleased that our customers, partners and industry experts recognise us as the leading ski tour operator in the world yet again,” said Jack Bolus from Sunweb.
“Picking up the award for an unrivalled seventh time makes us more determined than ever to have a strong 2024 and continue growing the business all while picking up more awards for our first-class service.”
See here for more about Sunweb, including its offer of a lift pass with every holiday:
The mix of architecture and nature helped LAAX’s rocksresort to the title for ‘World’s Best Green Ski Hotel’.
![](https://planetski.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_20190405_105528-800x600.jpg)
Laax – Image © PlanetSKI
Northern Escape Heli-Skiing collected ‘World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator’.
The European dominance of Compagnie des Alpes was acknowledged with the award for ‘World’s Best Ski Resort Group’.
The facilities of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel led to its recognition as ‘World’s Best Ski Resort Company’.
![Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI](https://planetski.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IMG_7382-800x600.jpeg)
Kitzbuhel. Image © PlanetSKI
“Winning a World Ski Award signifies reaching the summit of ski hospitality,” said the Managing Director of the World Ski Awards, Sion Rapson.
“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.
Launched in 2013, World Ski Awards aims to drive up standards within the ski tourism industry by rewarding the organisations that are leaders in their field.
Votes are cast by ski industry professionals (senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators and media) and by the public (ski tourism consumers) in a range of categories, including best resorts, hotels, chalets and tour operators.
Votes are submitted online via the World Ski Awards website.
World Ski Awards is the sister organisation of World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 30th anniversary.
For more information about World Ski Awards visit worldskiawards.com.