Val Thorens confirms its global standing
Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens, has been named “World’s Best Ski Resort” 2026. According to the organisers, the Savoie resort is enhancing the guest experience by continuing to invest in its infrastructure and in “smart resort” tools.
France is also recognised in the hotel categories. Pashmina Le Refuge, in Val Thorens, has been named “World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel”. The jury praised a property that combines upscale design with direct access to the 3 Vallées ski area.
Analysis – This double award for Val Thorens illustrates the move upmarket of high-altitude hospitality in the French Alps, where consolidation of the luxury segment continues, as shown by Le Chamois d’Or joining the Les Étincelles collection in L’Alpe d’Huez.
Switzerland dominates the hotel categories
W Verbier, the W Hotels brand’s first mountain hotel, has been named “World’s Best Ski Hotel”. Chalet Zermatt Peak wins the title of “World’s Best Ski Chalet”.
The awards for new properties also go to Switzerland. The Grand Hotel Belvedere has been named “World’s Best New Ski Hotel”. It occupies a Belle Époque-style alpine chalet built in 1912 and renovated with contemporary interior architecture, facing the Jungfrau in a car-free setting. The property is part of the Beaumier collection, formerly Les Hôtels d’en Haut.
Chez Madeleine receives the title of “World’s Best New Ski Chalet”. The chalet is part of the first phase of the Le Rucher d’Evolène project.
LAAX recognised for freestyle and sustainable hospitality
LAAX has been named “World’s Best Freestyle Resort”. The jury highlighted its snowpark infrastructure, its indoor training facilities and the vitality of its rider community. The resort’s hotel, the rocksresort, wins the title of “World’s Best Green Ski Hotel”.
Ski area operators: Compagnie des Alpes for a fifth year
For the fifth consecutive year, Compagnie des Alpes has been named “World’s Best Ski Resort Group”. Austria’s Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel receives the title of “World’s Best Ski Resort Company”. Ski Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, remains the global benchmark for indoor skiing.
In distribution and services, Leo Trippi has been named best ski travel agent and Sunweb best tour operator. Canada’s Northern Escape Heli-Skiing wins the heli-skiing category, and Japan’s SkyExpress the transfers category.
Sustainability, innovation and luxury
The winners were chosen following a year-long selection process involving players across tourism, travel and mountain hospitality. Ski industry professionals and skiers cast their votes, and the nominee with the most votes in each category wins.
Sion Rapson, Managing Director of the World Ski Awards, describes this year’s winners as the resorts, chalets, hotels, agents and service providers helping to define the next chapter for the sector. In his view, winning a World Ski Award means reaching the pinnacle of the profession and rewards the ambition and hard work of the teams involved. He adds that this year’s winners demonstrate the sector’s dynamism by combining sustainability, innovation and luxury.
Analysis – This edition also reflects a business-model challenge for investors: reducing dependence on the winter season alone. That is the bet behind the future Club Med Mont-Tremblant, designed as a four-season resort.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
World Ski Awards 2026 – 14th edition
World’s Best Ski Resort: Val Thorens, France
World’s Best Ski Hotel: W Verbier, Switzerland
Switzerland wins five of the six global hotel and chalet titles
Compagnie des Alpes named Best Ski Resort Group for a fifth consecutive year
Winners decided by votes from ski industry professionals and consumers
