The 13th annual World Ski Awards have been revealed and it’s Val Thorens, Europe’s highest resort, which was named the ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’ in recognition of setting the global standard for lift infrastructure, resort facilities and slopeside accommodation.
Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley in Utah was voted ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’, and Chalet Zermatt Peak claimed the stellar title of ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’. Hôtel Le Pashmina took the title for ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’ thanks to its exquisite facilities and ski-to-door access to Les Trois Vallées.
In the newcomer categories, Japan’s Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO, the first lifestyle brand of the historic Okura Nikko Hotel Group, fought off entrants from Val-d’Isère and the Austrian Tyrol to claim the title for ‘World’s Best New Ski Hotel’. Cabane Tortin – an off-grid retreat above Verbier – 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, says: “We are thrilled to unveil the best ski organisations of 2025 – 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. We have 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 as ‘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 SkyExpress taking ‘World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator’.
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’, and Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel took the title of ‘World’s Best Ski Resort Company’.
World Ski Awards 2025 world winners
- World’s Best Ski Resort 2025 – Val Thorens, France
- World’s Best Freestyle Resort 2025 – LAAX, Switzerland
- World’s Best Ski Hotel 2025 – Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley, USA
- World’s Best New Ski Hotel 2025 – Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO, Japan
- World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2025 – Hôtel Le Pashmina, Val Thorens
- World’s Best Green Ski Hotel 2025 – rocksresort, LAAX, Switzerland
- World’s Best Ski Chalet 2025 – Chalet Zermatt Peak, Switzerland
- World’s Best New Ski Chalet 2025 – Cabane Tortin, Switzerland
- World’s Best Ski Resort Company 2025 – Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel, Austria
- World’s Best Ski Resort Group 2025 – Compagnie des Alpes, France
- World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort 2025 – Ski Dubai, UAE
- World’s Best Ski Tour Operator 2025 – Sunweb
- World’s Best Ski Travel Agent 2025 – Leo Trippi
- World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator 2025 – Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, Canada
- World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator 2025 – SkyExpress
- World’s Best Ski Tour Operator to Austria 2025 – Bramble Ski
- World’s Best Ski Tour Operator to Canada 2025 – Frontier Ski
- World’s Best Ski Tour Operator to France 2025 – Inghams
- World’s Best Ski Tour Operator to Italy 2025 – Crystal Ski
- World’s Best Ski Tour Operator to Japan 2025 – Alpine Backcountry Guides
- World’s Best Ski Tour Operator to Switzerland 2025 – Inghams
- World’s Best Ski Tour Operator to United States 2025 – Club Reisen Stumböck
- World’s Best Ski Travel Agent to Austria 2025 – Ski Line
- World’s Best Ski Travel Agent to Canada 2025 – Ski Solutions
- World’s Best Ski Travel Agent to France 2025 – Ski In Luxury
- World’s Best Ski Travel Agent to Italy 2025 – Ski Solutions
- World’s Best Ski Travel Agent to Japan 2025 – Japan Ski Experience
- World’s Best Ski Travel Agent to Switzerland 2025 – Leo Trippi
- World’s Best Ski Travel Agent to United States 2025 – Oxford Ski Company
For more information see worldskiawards.com
Image: Val Thorens in Les 3 Vallées (les3vallees.com)