World Ski Awards reveals 2026’s best in ski tourism

Tue 10 November 2026

World Ski Awards, the global programme recognising excellence in ski tourism, has announced the winners of its 14^th annual programme.

Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe, was crowned ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’. The resort continues to enhance the guest experience through infrastructure improvements and smart-resort innovations.

W Verbier, W Hotels’ first alpine ski property, was voted ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’, and Chalet Zermatt Peak claimed the coveted title of ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’. Combining luxury design with doorstep access to Les 3 Vallées, Pashmina Le Refuge was named ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’.

In the newcomer categories, Grand Hotel Belvedere, a Beaumier Hotel – which pairs a restored 1912 Belle Époque alpine chalet with contemporary, soulful design, panoramic views of the Jungfrau, and a car-free mountain setting – was named ‘World's Best New Ski Hotel’. And to make it a Swiss double, Chez Madeleine – part of the first phase of the inspirational and ground-breaking Le Rucher d'Evolène project – claimed the trophy for ‘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 excited to reveal the very best ski organisations of 2026 – the resorts, chalets, hotels, agents and travel providers that are helping to define the next chapter in the global ski sector. Winning a World Ski Award represents reaching the summit in our industry and is testament to the ambition and tireless hard work that goes into making it to the top. This year’s winners demonstrate the dynamic nature of our industry, showcasing a finely crafted blend of sustainability, innovation and luxury.”

LAAX, with its world-class park infrastructure, progressive indoor training facilities, and vibrant rider community, was named ‘World’s Best Freestyle Resort’, while its rocksresort claimed the honour of ‘World’s Best Green Ski Hotel’. Leo Trippi was voted ‘World’s Best Ski Travel Agent’, with Sunweb collecting ‘World’s Best Ski Tour Operator’. Canada’s Northern Escape Heli-Skiing collected ‘World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator’ and Japan’s SkyExpress took the title of ‘World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator’.

Compagnie des Alpes won ‘World’s Best Ski Resort Group’ for the fifth consecutive year, while Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel took the title of ‘World’s Best Ski Resort Company’. Ski Dubai was hailed as ‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort’.

World Ski Awards 2026: World Winners

• World's Best Ski Resort 2026 – Val Thorens, France
• World's Best Freestyle Resort 2026 – LAAX, Switzerland
• World's Best Ski Hotel 2026 – W Verbier, Switzerland
• World's Best New Ski Hotel 2026 – Grand Hotel Belvedere, a Beaumier Hotel, Switzerland
• World's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2026 – Pashmina Le Refuge, Val Thorens
• World's Best Green Ski Hotel 2026 – rocksresort, LAAX, Switzerland
• World's Best Ski Chalet 2026 – Chalet Zermatt Peak, Switzerland
• World's Best New Ski Chalet 2026 – Chez Madeleine, Switzerland
• World's Best Ski Resort Company 2026 – Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel, Austria
• World's Best Ski Resort Group 2026 – Compagnie des Alpes, France
• World's Best Indoor Ski Resort 2026 – Ski Dubai, UAE
• World's Best Ski Tour Operator 2026 – Sunweb
• World's Best Ski Travel Agent 2026 – Leo Trippi
• World's Best Heli-Ski Operator 2026 – Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, Canada
• World's Best Ski Transfer Operator 2026 – SkyExpress
• World's Best Ski Tour Operator to Austria 2026 – Bramble Ski
• World's Best Ski Tour Operator to Canada 2026 – Frontier Ski
• World's Best Ski Tour Operator to France 2026 – TUI
• World's Best Ski Tour Operator to Italy 2026 – Ski Solutions
• World's Best Ski Tour Operator to Japan 2026 – Alpine Backcountry Guides
• World's Best Ski Tour Operator to Switzerland 2026 – Bramble Ski
• World's Best Ski Tour Operator to United States 2026 – Club Reisen Stumböck
• World's Best Ski Travel Agent to Austria 2026 – Ski Line
• World's Best Ski Travel Agent to Canada 2026 – Ski Solutions
• World's Best Ski Travel Agent to France 2026 – Ski In Luxury
• World's Best Ski Travel Agent to Italy 2026 – Ski In Luxury
• World's Best Ski Travel Agent to Japan 2026 – Japan Ski Experience
• World's Best Ski Travel Agent to Switzerland 2026 – Firefly Collection
• World's Best Ski Travel Agent to United States 2026 – Oxford Ski Company

The World’s Top 3 in each category have also been revealed. View here.

Awards were also announced on a country-level, featuring the best resorts and hospitality providers from the world’s best ski tourism destinations. For a full list of winners visit worldskiawards.com/winners/2026.

Notes to Editors

Launched in 2013, World Ski Awards aims to drive up standards within the ski tourism industry by rewarding the organisations that are leaders in their field. Votes are cast by ski industry professionals (senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators and media) and by the public (ski tourism consumers) in a range of categories, including best resorts, hotels, chalets and tour operators. Votes are submitted online via the World Ski Awards website.

World Ski Awards is the sister organisation of World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 33^rd anniversary. For more information about World Ski Awards visit worldskiawards.com.