Verbier in Switzerland has been named the ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’ for the first time, knocking France’s Val Thorens off its perch.
The 2021 World Ski Awards voted Verbier the most prestigious title. These awards were chosen by both ski industry professionals as well as the general public. They included best resorts, hotels and chalets, tour operators, and the top resorts. More than 2 million people cast votes this year.
Verbier won a double win, as five-star W Verbier was named the ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’ six years in a row. At this week’s online awards ceremony, Chalet Zermatt Peak in Switzerland was named the “World’s Best Ski Chalet”. Aurelio lech of Austria won the ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’ award. Deer Valley won America’s top ski resort title for the 9th consecutive year, and Thredbo took home the gold medal as Australia’s top ski resort.
Verbier, Switzerland (pictured) has been named the “World’s Best Ski Resort” for the first-time, knocking France’s Val Thorens from its perch
Verbier was awarded the distinguished title in the 2021 World Ski Awards. These awards were chosen by over 2.2 million people. A skier is seen going off-piste on the Swiss resort.
Verbier won a double success, as five-star W verbier (pictured) was awarded the title of ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’
W Verbier was named world’s top ski hotel for sixth consecutive year. This is the bathroom of one of W Verbier’s suites.
W Verbier suite A resort award statement stated that Verbier had carefully preserved its alpine charm.
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’.
According to an awards statement, Verbier was positioned on a sunlit plateau at 1500m above sea level in the Swiss Alps. It boasts its slate-roofed chalets and has maintained its alpine charm.
This resort has a total of almost 100 lifts along with more than 400 km (248.4 mile) of runs suitable for every level of skill. ‘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 is a Swiss ski chalet that was named the World’s Best Ski Chalet’ at the 2021 World Ski Awards.
One of the bedrooms at Chalet Zermatt Peak. It is located in the shadows of Matterhorn Mountain.
The exterior of Aurelio Lech in Austria, which collected the ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’ gong at the World Ski Awards
Aurelio lech spa. In an award statement, the hotel was called ‘exquisite.
Rocksresort Laax (Switzerland) has been named ‘Best Green Ski Hotel’ for 2021
Val Thorens at 7,546ft (2300m) was the highest European resort and had won the Best-Resort Gong gong seven times over the nine-year awards history. Until now, only Kitzbühel had managed to steal the main title away from the French resort.
Val Thorens, however was named France’s Best Ski Resort of 2021. It was also chosen for the Best Ski Boutique Hotel in France, Hotel le Pashmina.
The five-star award recognizes the hotel as a’most beautiful mountain hotel’ with plenty of light, large spaces and soft materials. Josselin Jeanblanc, a Michelin-starred chef and owner of the restaurant “Les Explorateurs”, is also based at this hotel.
Deer Valley in Utah, which is pictured above for the ninth consecutive year was named America’s top ski resort
Above is Thredbo in New South Wales which was awarded the gold medal as Australia’s top ski resort
Val Thorens is the resort at 7 546ft (2300m) highest in Europe, and has won the Best-Resort Gong award seven times over its nine-year history
Val Thorens fireworks French Ski Resort Named ‘France’s Best Ski Resort of 2021
Hotel Le Pashmina (pictured), the ‘Best Ski Boutique hotel in France’ for 2020, is described by its ‘one the most beautiful mountain hotels with lots of light and big spaces, soft fabrics, lively colours, and plenty of natural light’.
Hotel le Pashmina is home to chef Josselin Jeanblanc and his Michelin-star restaurant ‘Les Explorateurs’ (pictured)
Vincent Lalanne is the director of Val Thorens Tourist Office. He said that it was a great honor to have been awarded “Best Ski Resort” in France by our Val Thorens community. Also, we want to congratulate Verbier on winning “World’s Best Ski Resort”, which they have won seven times.
“We’re also happy to be able once more to welcome British visitors, now that France has permitted leisure travel to resume.”
The Vale Rusutsu won the category for ‘Best New Ski Hotel’. It is located at the base the Rusutsu Resort’s ‘world-class’ ski slopes. It was built with nature in mind and includes a collection of 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’.
Also among the winners were Switzerland’s Laax – home of the biggest freestyle halfpipe on earth (‘World’s Best Freestyle Resort’); Ski Dubai (‘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 in a breathtaking natural setting’ (‘World’); Leo Trippi’s Best Ski Travel Agent’); and Tui’s Best Ski Tour Operator’); Leo Trippi ‘
Chamonix’s Le Chalet Mont Blanc’s inviting pool, which was awarded ‘France’s Best Ski Chalet’.
Le Chalet Mont Blanc is described as “a chic and contemporary retreat…five floors of unrivalled quality”
The Vale Rusutsu was awarded the title of world’s best new ski hotel. This is because it’s located right at the base of Japan’s Rusutsu Resort, where you can see the “world-class skiing slopes”.
Ultima Gstaad (pictured above) won the award for “Switzerland’s Best Ski Boutique Hotels 2021”.
A room at Hahnenkamm Lodge, Kitzbuhel – which received the accolade of Austria’s best ski chalet
Also, awards were given at the country level. The top ski resorts, hotels, or chalets worldwide received 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) was awarded the title “Austria’s Best Ski Hotel” in the prestigious Awards
Montana Lodge & Spa took the award for Italy’s best ski hotel. The lobby and exterior of the hotel are shown to the left. Dolomites Val gardena was named the best country-wide ski resort by The World Ski Awards.
Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside was named Canada’s Best Ski Hotel (pictured above).
Outdoor pool in Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, winner. The awards were voted on by more than 2.25 million voters this year.
Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley, which scooped the ‘United States’ Best Ski Hotel’ accolade
Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, North America’s most prestigious ski hotel was awarded the title of Canada’s Best, and Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley, earned the United States’ Best Ski Resort’ award.
Sion Rapson (Managing Director, World Ski Awards) stated that the winners are the best in the ski tourism industry and he would like to congratulate each one of them. Skiers around the globe cast record numbers of votes for the 9th annual World Ski Awards. The record number of votes for the ninth annual World Ski Awards programme demonstrates that there is a strong demand for skiing tourism, which bodes well for the world’s recovery.
More information is available at worldskiawards.com.