The resort in the French Alps has been ruling the industry for three years
As snow is finally covering the northern hemisphere, it’s time to pick the best places to enjoy the adventures the white blanket offers.
And according to the travel professionals and various ski enthusiasts, Europe remains the queen of winter sports, with its highest resort in particular.
At the annual World Ski Awards, the world’s finest ski tourism brands have been unveiled at a red carpet gala ceremony in Kitzbühel, Austria.
Ski representatives from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Australasia gathered at the resort for three days of alpine events, capped with the highly anticipated awards ceremony.
For the third time in the row, Val Thorens in the French Alps was named World’s Best Ski Resort thanks to “its vast network of snowsure slopes”, the World Ski Awards said.
Val Thorens forms a part of the 3 Vallees ski area (Courchevel and Meribel are the other two) and prides itself on having the highest altitude of all European resorts.
A perfect balance of contemporary design and Swiss tradition led to W Verbier collecting the World’s Best Ski Hotel award, while Chalet Les Anges in Zermatt was named World’s Best Ski Chalet.
In the newcomer categories, understated luxury and home-from-home comforts helped Fahrenheit Seven Courchevel scoop the World’s Best New Ski Hotel prize, while the unrivalled ski-in ski-out convenience of Chalet des Cascades (Les Arcs) led to it winning the World’s Best New Ski Chalet.
In a special category to acknowledge his pioneering work revolutionising the Argentine ski resort of Chapelco, Juan Cruz Adrogué was awarded the award for Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism.
The World Ski Awards, the sister of the World Travel Awards, is globally recognised as the leading programme in the global ski sector. Votes are cast online by industry professionals and the public in a range of categories, including best resorts, hotels, chalets and tour operators.
Sion Rapson, managing director of the World Ski Awards, said: “Kitzbühel, the home of legends, has proven a world-class host on what has been a magnificent evening of triumph for the winter sports hospitality industry. We have had the privilege of recognising the leading organisations from across the world and my congratulations to each of them.”
