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Winners of World Ski Awards Announced

Val Thorens, is named ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’, W Verbier captured ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’ & Sunweb wins ‘World’s Best Ski Tour Operator’.

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 web site.

The awards were launched in 2013 and aims to drive up standards within the ski tourism industry by rewarding the organisations that are leaders in their field..

Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens, named ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’, in recognition of setting the global standard for lift infrastructure, resort facilities and slopeside accommodation.

It is the 9th time the resorts has won the award.

“A huge thank you to the incredible women and men who make our beautiful destination shine every day,” said the resort.

“A huge thank you to all of you for your support!”

PlanetSKI will be in Val Thorens in early December so look out for our reports.

Switzerland’s reputation as a hospitality world-leader was reinforced in the World Ski Awards with victories in two key categories:

  • W Verbier captured ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’
  • Chalet Zermatt Peak claimed ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’
Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt, Switzerland. Image c/o PlanetSKI.

Verbier also won the “Best Swiss Ski Destination” for the sixth time in seven years.

“‘A big thank you to everyone who supported Verbier by voting for us,” said the Verbier Tourisme Director, Simon Wiget.

“This award is the fruit of the commitment and passion of many people, both local and international.

“We are grateful to those who, through their loyalty and enthusiasm, help to make Verbier shine every day. This victory belongs to all of them, whether they are tourists, visitors or residents.’

“It’s a huge honour to receive this national award once again, reflecting the constant efforts and significant investment we’ve made in infrastructure in recent years.

“This recognition represents much more than just a trophy: it recognises the hard work of everyone involved in the region and the commitment we have made to enhancing the customer experience.”

Verbier, Switzerland. Image © Lucia Harrison.

Verbier, Switzerland. Image © Lucia Harrison.

Sunweb has won World’s Best Ski Tour Operator for an eighth time, and for the third year in a row.

Sunweb includes a ski pass in every holiday package.

It aims to provide hassle-free, high quality ski holidays for all its customers and setting itself apart from the competition in the process.

The Sunweb app also allows holidaymakers, beside contact the digital guides, to upgrade their packages, rent ski equipment and book ski lessons.

“We’re incredibly delighted to have been recognised by industry leaders and our customers as the World’s Best Ski Tour Operator for an unprecedented eighth time,” said Jack Bolus from Sunweb.

“Scooping this award serves to strengthen our commitment to delivering the best quality holidays for our 350,000 winter sport customers and we’re excited to see this season get underway.”

In the newcomer categories, Japan’s MUWA NISEKO fought off entrants in Aspen and St. Moritz to take the title for ‘World’s Best New Ski Hotel’.

Méribel’s Chalet Harmony – offering a rare blend of luxury, privacy and proximity to the slopes and resort centre – was named ‘World’s Best New Ski Chalet’.

The results follow a year-long search for the world’s leading ski travel, tourism and hospitality .

“We are thrilled to unveil the best ski organisations of 2024 – the resorts, chalets, hotels, agents and travel providers that are lifting the global ski sector to new heights,” said the Managing Director of World Ski Awards, Sion Rapson.

“This year’s winners reflect the dynamic nature of our industry, showcasing an ideal blend of luxury, innovation and sustainability.

“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.”

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

Ski Dubai was hailed ‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort’.

Leo Trippi was voted ‘World’s Best Ski Travel Agent’, with Schneebeben taking ‘World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator’.

With its exquisite facilities and ski-to-door access to Les Trois Vallées, Hôtel Le Pashmina, Val Thorens took the title for ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’.

The harmonious mix of architecture and nature helped LAAX’s rocksresort to the title of ‘World’s Best Green Ski Hotel’.

Canada’s 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’.

Kitzbuhel in summer. Image © PlanetSKI

Kitzbuhel. Image © PlanetSKI

In the USA, and for the 11th time in 12 years, the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley  has been named the “United States’ Best Ski Hotel”.

The Stein Eriksen Residences earned the title of “United States’ Best Ski Boutique Hotel” for the third consecutive year.

“What an incredible accomplishment to garner the esteemed titles of United States’ Best Ski Hotel and United States’ Best Ski Boutique Hotel in the 2024 World Ski Awards,” said the CEO of Stein Collection, Russ Olsen.

“These humbling accolades are owed to our incredibly talented team members, and we are grateful to our guests and industry peers for recognizing our commitment to providing top-tier luxury ski vacations with our legendary guest service.”

World Ski Awards 2024 World winners:

  • World’s Best Ski Resort 2024 – Val Thorens, France
  • World’s Best Freestyle Resort 2024 – LAAX, Switzerland
  • World’s Best Ski Hotel 2024 – W Verbier, Switzerland
  • World’s Best New Ski Hotel 2024 – MUWA NISEKO, Japan
  • World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2024 – Hôtel Le Pashmina, Val Thorens
  • World’s Best Green Ski Hotel 2024 – Rocksresort, LAAX, Switzerland
  • World’s Best Ski Chalet 2024 – Chalet Zermatt Peak, Switzerland
  • World’s Best New Ski Chalet 2024 – Chalet Harmony, Méribel, France
  • World’s Best Ski Resort Company 2024 – Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel, Austria
  • World’s Best Ski Resort Group 2024 – Compagnie des Alpes, France
  • World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort 2024 – Ski Dubai, UAE
  • World’s Best Ski Tour Operator 2024 – Sunweb
  • World’s Best Ski Travel Agent 2024 – Leo Trippi
  • World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator 2024 – Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, Canada
  • World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator 2024 – Schneebeben

The World’s Top 3 in each category have also been unveiled here

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.

For more information about World Ski Awards visit worldskiawards.com.

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