Sat 22 November 2014



Val Thorens triumphs at 2014 World Ski Awards at A-ROSA Kitzbühel.

French ski destination Val Thorens has been recognised as the World’s Best Ski Resort by voters at the World Ski Awards for the second successive year.

In a night of high drama at A-ROSA Kitzbühel, Austria, the title of World’s Best Ski Hotel went to Stein Eriksen Lodge of the United States, while host Bergbahn Kitzbühel was recognised as the World’s Best Ski Resort Company. 

The 2014 Gala Ceremony welcomed over 200 leading representatives from the ski hospitality sector, with partners Audi, Leitner, Prinoth, Demac Lenko, and iSki all contributing to a spectacular occasion.

They joined Bergbahnen Kitzbühel, Kitzbühel Tourismus and A-ROSA Kitzbühel in supporting the event, as World Ski Awards returned to the Alpine resort for the second year.

The World Ski Awards Academy presented three prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism Awards during the evening.

In Europe, Reto Gurtner, President of the Management Board, LAAX, was celebrated for his contribution to ski tourism in Switzerland, while the President of Lake Louise Ski Resort, Charlie Locke, was recognised in North America.

In Asia, Akio Shinya, Chief of the Niseko Avalanche Research Institute, was honoured for a lifetime dedicated to improving safety in the mountains of Japan.

Speaking at the close of the 2014 Gala Ceremony World Ski Awards Managing Director, Sion Rapson, said: “It has been an honour to return here to A-ROSA Kitzbühel for the 2014 World Ski Awards Gala Ceremony."

He added: "This has been a truly special evening for us all at World Ski Awards and it has been a privilege to recognise the outstanding contributors to our ever expanding industry.”

Elsewhere the title of World’s Best Ski Tour Operator went to Crystal Ski Holidays, World’s Best Ski Travel Agent was awarded to Leo Trippi and InterContinental Davos took the title of World’s Best New Ski Hotel. Voters also recognised Chalet Quezac as the World’s Best New Ski Chalet, Big Horn, Revelstoke, was voted the World’s Best Ski Chalet and World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel went to The Vale Niseko.

A full list of the 2014 World Ski Awards winners can be seen here.

World Ski Awards

The full three day World Ski Awards programme consists of luxury chauffeur driven airport transfers to and from the five-star A-ROSA Kitzbühel, exclusive networking events, private skiing on the slopes of the world famous Hahnenkamm, sight-seeing tours and a host of other networking activities.

The 2014 Gala Ceremony was hosted by UK television star Ms Ela Clark and welcomed a host of Austria’s finest entertainers as guests enjoyed a sumptuous banquet.

World Winners 2014
World's Best Ski Resort 2014: Val Thorens (France)
World's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Stein Eriksen Lodge (USA)
World's Best New Ski Hotel 2014: InterContinental Davos
World's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: The Vale Niseko (Japan)
World's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Bighorn, Revelstoke (Canada)
World's Best New Ski Chalet 2014: Chalet Quezac
World's Best Ski Resort Company 2014: Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel
World's Best Ski Tour Operator 2014: Crystal Ski
World's Best Ski Travel Agent 2014: Leo Trippi

Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism 2014
Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism 2014: Akio Shinya, Chief, Niseko Avalanche Research Institute
Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism 2014: Reto Gurtner, chairman of the board, president of the management board, Weisse Arena Gruppe
Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism 2014: Charlie Locke, Owner & President, Lake Louise Ski Area

Country Winners 2014

Best Ski Resort 2014
Andorra's Best Ski Resort 2014: Vallnord
Argentina's Best Ski Resort 2014: Cerro Catedral
Australia's Best Ski Resort 2014: Perisher
Austria's Best Ski Resort 2014: Kitzbühel
Bulgaria's Best Ski Resort 2014: Bansko
Canada's Best Ski Resort 2014: The Lake Louise Ski Resort
Chile's Best Ski Resort 2014: Valle Nevado
Finland's Best Ski Resort 2014: Ruka
France's Best Ski Resort 2014: Val Thorens
Germany's Best Ski Resort 2014: Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Italy's Best Ski Resort 2014: Val Gardena
Japan's Best Ski Resort 2014: Niseko United
New Zealand's Best Ski Resort 2014: Treble Cone
Norway's Best Ski Resort 2014: Trysil
Russia's Best Ski Resort 2014: Rosa Khutor
Slovenia's Best Ski Resort 2014: Kranjska Gora
South Korea's Best Ski Resort 2014: YongPyong
Spain's Best Ski Resort 2014: Aramón Cerler
Sweden's Best Ski Resort 2014: Åre
Switzerland's Best Ski Resort 2014: LAAX
United States' Best Ski Resort 2014: Deer Valley Resort

Best Ski Hotel 2014
Andorra's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa
Argentina's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Llao Llao Hotel & Resort
Australia's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Hotel Pension Grimus
Austria's Best Ski Hotel 2014: A-ROSA Kitzbühel
Bulgaria's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko
Canada's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside
Chile's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Gran Hotel Termas de Chillan
Finland's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Rantasipi Rukahovi Hotel
France's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Altapura
Germany's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Das Kranzbach
Italy's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Cristallo Hotel, Cortina D'Ampezzo
Japan's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Hilton Niseko Village
New Zealand's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Norway's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Quality Spa & Resort Norefjell
Russia's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Radisson Hotel Rosa Khutor
Slovenia's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Ramada Resort Kranjska Gora
South Korea's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort
Spain's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Hotel La Pleta
Sweden's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Copperhill Mountain Lodge
Switzerland's Best Ski Hotel 2014: Carlton Hotel St Moritz
United States' Best Ski Hotel 2014: Stein Eriksen Lodge

Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014
Andorra's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Palomé Hotel
Argentina's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Charming Luxury Lodge & Private Spa
Australia's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: QT Falls Creek
Austria's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Aurelio Lech
Bulgaria's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Alpin Hotel
Canada's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
Chile's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Hotel Antumalal
Finland's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Hotel Iso-Syöte
France's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Le Chalet Zannier
Germany's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Hotel Staudacherhof
Italy's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Hotel Hermitage Spa & Beauty
Japan's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: The Vale Niseko
New Zealand's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Eichardt's Private Hotel
Norway's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Skarsnuten Hotel
Russia's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Grand Hotel & Spa Rodina
Slovenia's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Šport hotel Pokljuka
Spain's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Hotel Val de Ruda
Sweden's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Hotell Fjällgården Åre
Switzerland's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: The Omnia
United States' Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2014: Amangani

Best Ski Chalet 2014
Andorra's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Els Llacs
Australia's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Rockpool Lodge
Austria's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Chalet 1597
Bulgaria's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Villa Gella
Canada's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Bighorn, Revelstoke
Finland's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Rukan Salonki
France's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Chalet Marco Polo in Val d’Isere
Germany's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Country Home Pitzner
Italy's Best Ski Chalet 2014: San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge
Japan's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Sekka Kan
New Zealand's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Azur Luxury Lodge
Norway's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Havsdalsgrenda
Slovenia's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Ribniška koča
Sweden's Best Ski Chalet 2014: The Villa - Copperhill Private Lodge
Switzerland's Best Ski Chalet 2014: Bella Coola
United States' Best Ski Chalet 2014: Casa Nova, Deer Valley

Notes to Editors

Useful Links
2014 Winners: worldskiawards.com/winners/2014
Photo gallery: worldskiawards.com/photos
Video Interviews: worldskiawards.com/videos
Media downloads: worldskiawards.com/mediadownloads

About World Ski Awards™ Launched in 2012, World Ski Awards™ aims to drive up standards within the ski industry by rewarding the organisations that are leaders in their field.

Votes were cast by professionals working within the ski industry – senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents and media - and by the public (ski tourism consumers). Votes were submitted online on the World Ski Awards website.

Winners are announced at the annual World Ski Awards Gala Ceremony.

World Ski Awards is the sister organisation of World Travel Awards™, currently celebrating its 21st anniversary.

For further details contact:
t: +44 (0)20 7925 0000 e: [email protected]

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