For the ultimate winter sports holiday pick a winner from the 2021 World Ski Awards, which names the best chalets, hotels and resorts, from Switzerland to Utah
- Verbier has been named the ‘World’s Best Ski Resort 2021’, beating the seven-time champion Val Thorens
- Ski industry professionals and the public selected the winners, with more than 2.2million people casting votes
- The world’s best ski hotel gong went to W Verbier, while Aurelio Lech was named the best ski boutique hotel
Verbier in Switzerland has been named the ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’ for the first time, knocking France’s Val Thorens off its perch.
Verbier received the illustrious title at the 2021 World Ski Awards, which were voted for by ski industry professionals and by the public in a range of categories, including best resorts, hotels, chalets and tour operators. This year, more than 2.2million people cast their votes.
It was a double victory for Verbier, with the five-star W Verbier ranked as the ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’ for the sixth consecutive year. Other major winners at this week’s online awards ceremony included Switzerland’s Chalet Zermatt Peak, which sits ‘in the shadow of the majestic Matterhorn’, and was named the ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’; and Austria’s ‘exquisite’ Aurelio Lech, which was awarded the ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’ gong. For the ninth year running, Deer Valley was named America’s best ski resort, while Thredbo won the gold medal for Australia’s best ski resort.
Verbier in Switzerland, pictured, has been named the ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’ for the first time, knocking France’s Val Thorens off its perch
Verbier received the illustrious title at the 2021 World Ski Awards, which were voted for by 2.2million people. Pictured is a skier going off-piste at the Swiss resort
It was a double victory for Verbier, with the five-star W Verbier (pictured) ranked as the ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’
It’s the sixth consecutive year that W Verbier has been named the world’s best ski hotel. Pictured is a bathroom in one of the hotel’s suites
A suite at W Verbier. An awards statement said of the resort: ‘Verbier has carefully maintained its charm as an alpine village’
Verbier, which is the gateway to the 4 Vallées ski area, impressed the judges with its ‘world-class terrain, charming chalets and a thriving après scene’.
An awards statement said: ‘Perched on a sunny plateau at an altitude of 1,500 metres in the heart of the Swiss Alps, with its slate-roofed chalets, Verbier has carefully maintained its charm as an alpine village.’
It’s noted that ‘with nearly 100 lifts and more than 400km (248.4 miles) of ski runs for all levels of expertise’ the resort is ‘a must for skiers from all over the world’. ‘Its “après-ski” is a real institution that welcomes a cosmopolitan clientele of all generations, not to mention the unforgettable nightlife,’ it added.
Chalet Zermatt Peak in Switzerland, which has been named the ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’ at the World Ski Awards 2021
One of the bedrooms at Chalet Zermatt Peak. The chalet sits in the shadow of the mighty Matterhorn mountain
The exterior of Aurelio Lech in Austria, which collected the ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’ gong at the World Ski Awards
Inside the spa at Aurelio Lech. The hotel was described as ‘exquisite’ in an awards statement
Rocksresort in Laax, Switzerland, has been named the ‘Best Green Ski Hotel 2021’
Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe at 7,546ft (2,300m), had been awarded the best-resort gong seven times in the awards’ nine-year history. Until now, only Kitzbühel had managed to steal the main title away from the French resort.
Val Thorens was, however, named ‘France’s Best Ski Resort’ of 2021. Making it all the more attractive, the resort’s Hotel le Pashmina was chosen as the ‘Best Ski Boutique Hotel in France’ for 2021.
According to the awards, the five-star hotel is ‘one of the most beautiful mountain hotels, with lots of light, big spaces, soft materials and lively colours’. The hotel is also home to chef Josselin Jeanblanc and his Michelin-star restaurant ‘Les Explorateurs’.
THE WINNERS AT THE 2021 WORLD SKI AWARDS
WORLD WINNERS
Best Ski Resort 2021: Verbier (Switzerland)
Best Freestyle Resort 2021: Laax (Switzerland)
Best Ski Hotel 2021: W Verbier (Switzerland)
Best New Ski Hotel 2021: The Vale Rusutsu (Japan)
Best Green Ski Hotel 2021: Rocksresort (Switzerland)
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Aurelio Lech (Austria)
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Chalet Zermatt Peak (Switzerland)
Best New Ski Chalet 2021: Chalet Face à Face (France)
Best Ski Resort Company 2021: Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel (Austria)
Best Indoor Ski Resort 2021: Ski Dubai (UAE)
Best Ski Tour Operator 2021: Tui
Best Ski Travel Agent 2021: Leo Trippi
Best Heli-Ski Operator 2021: Bella Coola Heli Sports (Canada)
Best Ski Transfer Operator 2021: Schneebeben
AUSTRALIA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Thredbo
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa Hotel
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Astra Falls Creek
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Sequoia Penthouse Thredbo
CHINA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Vanke Lake Songhua Resort
JAPAN
Best Ski Resort 2021: Rusutsu Resort
Best Ski Hotel 2021: The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Hokkaido
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Ki Niseko
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Aspect
NEW ZEALAND
Best Ski Resort 2021: Mt Hutt
Best Ski Hotel 2021: The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Matakauri Lodge
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Azur Luxury Lodge
SOUTH KOREA
Best Ski Resort 2021: YongPyong Resort
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Dragon Valley Hotel
ANDORRA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Vallnord – Pal Arinsal
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Hotel Plaza
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: The Xalet Bringué Hotel & Spa
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Ski Chalet Alpine Residence
AUSTRIA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Kitzbühel
Best Ski Hotel 2021: A-ROSA Kitzbühel
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Aurelio Lech
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Hahnenkamm Lodge
BULGARIA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Bansko
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Aparthotel Lucky Bansko SPA & Relax
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Alpin Hotel
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Villa Gella
CZECH REPUBLIC
Best Ski Resort 2021: Skiareál Špindlerův Mlýn
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Harmony Club Hotel
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Hotel Savoy Špindlerův Mlýn
FINLAND
Best Ski Resort 2021: Levi
Best Ski Hotel 2021: KIDE Hotel by Iso-Syöte
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Hotel Iso-Syöte
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Rukan Salonki Chalets
FRANCE
Best Ski Resort 2021: Val Thorens
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Hotel Pashmina
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Le Chalet Mont Blanc
Source: World Ski Awards
GERMANY
Best Ski Resort 2021: Oberstdorf
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Schloss Elmau
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Hotel Staudacherhof
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Country Home Pitzner
ITALY
Best Ski Resort 2021: Dolomites Val Gardena
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Montana Lodge & Spa
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Saint Hubertus Resort Luxury Hotel & Spa
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Cesa del louf
NORWAY
Best Ski Resort 2021: Geilo
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Radisson Blu Resort Trysil
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Nermo Hotell
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Havsdalsgrenda
POLAND
Best Ski Resort 2021: Kotelnica Bialczańska
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Zakopane
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Hotel Crocus
ROMANIA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Sinaia
RUSSIA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Rosa Khutor
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Rixos Krasnaya Polyana Sochi
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Grand Hotel & Spa Rodina
SLOVAKIA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Jasná Nízke Tatry
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Hotel FIS Jasná
SLOVENIA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Krvavec
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Kranjska Gora
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Hotel Rozka
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Chalet Planina
SPAIN
Best Ski Resort 2021: Baqueira/Beret
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Rafaelhoteles By La Pleta
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Meliá Royal Tanau Boutique Hotel
SWEDEN
Best Ski Resort 2021: Åre
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Hotel Bügelhof
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Eriksgårdens Fjällhotell
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Skutan Ski Lodge
SWITZERLAND
Best Ski Resort 2021: Verbier
Best Ski Hotel 2021: W Verbier
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Ultima Gstaad
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Chalet Zermatt Peak
ARGENTINA
Best Ski Resort 2021: Chapelco Ski Resort
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Llao Llao Hotel & Resort
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Charming Luxury Lodge
CANADA
Best Ski Resort 2021: The Lake Louise Ski Resort
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: The Josie
Best Ski Chalet 2021: Whiteworth Chalet
CHILE
Best Ski Resort 2021: Portillo
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Hotel Termas Chillán
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: Hotel Posada Farellones
U.S.
Best Ski Resort 2021: Deer Valley Resort, Utah
Best Ski Hotel 2021: Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley
Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021: The Lodge at Blue Sky
For the ninth year running, Deer Valley (pictured above) in Utah was named America’s best ski resort
Pictured above is Thredbo, New South Wales, which won the gold medal for Australia’s best ski resort
Pictured is Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe at 7,546ft (2,300m), which has been awarded the best-resort gong seven times in the awards’ nine-year history
Fireworks in Val Thorens. The French ski resort was named ‘France’s Best Ski Resort’ of 2021
Hotel le Pashmina (pictured) – the ‘Best Ski Boutique Hotel in France’ for 2021 – is described as ‘one of the most beautiful mountain hotels, with lots of light, big spaces, soft materials and lively colours’
Hotel le Pashmina is home to chef Josselin Jeanblanc and his Michelin-star restaurant ‘Les Explorateurs’ (pictured)
Vincent Lalanne, director of Val Thorens Tourist Office, said: ‘We are really honoured to be awarded the accolade of “Best Ski Resort in France”, thanks to our community of Val Thorens fans. We also want to congratulate Verbier for winning the “World’s Best Ski Resort” title, which we’ve achieved seven times.
‘We are also delighted to once again be able to receive and welcome British visitors now that the French Government has allowed leisure travel to resume.’
In the newcomer category, the gong for the ‘Best New Ski Hotel’ went to The Vale Rusutsu, positioned at the base of the ‘world-class ski slopes’ of Japan’s Rusutsu Resort. The hotel was designed ‘with nature as its focus’ and features ‘luxury condominium-style apartments’. Meanwhile, Chalet Face a Face in Val d’Isère, France, reigned supreme as the ‘Best New Ski Chalet’, winning over the judges with its ‘understated opulence’.
Winners also included Switzerland’s Laax – home to the world’s biggest halfpipe (‘World’s Best Freestyle Resort’); Ski Dubai, with its ‘impressive array of snow-based activities’ (‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort’); Bergbahn AG Kitzbuhel (‘World’s Best Ski Resort Company’); Bella Coola Heli Sports, Canada (‘World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator’); Rocksresort, Switzerland – with ‘urban, eco-conscious styling amid a stunning natural environment’ (‘World’s Best Green Ski Hotel’); Schneebeben (‘World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator’); Leo Trippi (‘World’s Best Ski Travel Agent’) and Tui (‘World’s Best Ski Tour Operator’).
The enticing pool at Le Chalet Mont Blanc, Chamonix, winner of ‘France’s Best Ski Chalet’
Le Chalet Mont Blanc describes itself as ‘a chic and modern retreat… five floors of unrivalled excellence’
The gong for the world’s ‘Best New Ski Hotel’ went to The Vale Rusutsu, which is positioned at the base of the ‘world-class ski slopes’ of Japan’s Rusutsu Resort (pictured)
Ultima Gstaad, pictured above, collected the gong for ‘Switzerland’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2021’
A room at Hahnenkamm Lodge, Kitzbuhel – which received the accolade of Austria’s best ski chalet
Awards were also announced on a country level, with the best resorts, hotels and chalets from the world’s leading ski tourism destinations receiving accolades.
The winners included the Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko, which won the title of Bulgaria’s best ski hotel; Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa Hotel, which was named Australia’s best ski hotel; Hotel Plaza – recognised as Andorra’s best ski hotel; and A-Rosa Kitzbuhel, which earned the title of Austria’s best ski hotel.
Among the other country-level winners were Oberstdorf, which was awarded the gong for Germany’s best ski resort; Club Med Grand Massif Samoens Morillon – celebrated as France’s best ski hotel; and Montana Lodge & Spa, which took the award for Italy’s best ski hotel.
A-Rosa Kitzbuhel, pictured above, earned the title of Austria’s best ski hotel in the prestigious awards
Montana Lodge & Spa took the award for Italy’s best ski hotel. Pictured on the left is the hotel’s exterior and on the right the lobby. The World Ski Awards named Dolomites Val Gardena as the country’s best ski resort
Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside (pictured above) was named Canada’s best ski hotel
The outdoor pool at the award-winning Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside. This year, more than 2.2million people cast their votes in the awards
Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley, which scooped the ‘United States’ Best Ski Hotel’ accolade
Over in North America, Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside was named Canada’s best ski hotel, while Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley received the ‘United States’ Best Ski Hotel’ accolade.
Sion Rapson, Managing Director of the World Ski Awards, said: ‘Our winners represent the very best of the global ski tourism sector and my congratulations to each of them. The ninth annual World Ski Awards programme received a record number of votes from ski consumers across the world. This shows that the appetite for ski tourism has never been stronger and bodes well as the global recovery gathers momentum.’
For more information visit worldskiawards.com.
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