World Ski Awards – the only global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in ski tourism – has revealed the winners of its 12th annual programme.
Winners include Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens in France, named ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’, in recognition of setting the global standard for lift infrastructure, resort facilities and slopeside accommodation.
Switzerland’s reputation as a hospitality world-leader was reinforced with victories in two key categories: W Verbier captured ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’ and Chalet Zermatt Peak claimed ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’.
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 brands. Votes were cast by ski industry professionals and ski consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes in each category named the winner.
Sion Rapson, Managing Director of World Ski Awards, said: “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. 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 Sunweb collecting ‘World’s Best Ski Tour Operator’ and 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’.
Launched in 2013, World Ski Awards aims to drive up standards in 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 31st anniversary.
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, France
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
