World Ski Awards has recognised the very best in the global ski tourism industry during its inaugural Gala Ceremony at A-ROSA Kitzbühel this evening.

Bansko won the Bulgaria`s Best Ski Resort 2013 Award, photo © World Ski Awards

The event, attended by 200 handpicked guests, saw the title of World’s Best Ski Resort go to Val Thorens (France), while Bighorn, Revelstoke (Canada) took World’s Best Ski Chalet, Aurelio Lech (Austria) won World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel and World’s Best Ski Hotel went to The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch (USA).

Val Thorens (France) won the World's Best Ski Resort 2013 Award! On this photo Mr. Grégory Guzzo, Director of Val Thorens and Mr. Andre Plaisance, Mayor of Val Thorens (center) received the France's Best Ski Resort 2013 Award from Mr. Michael Walchhofer and Ms. Ela Clark (left), photo © World Ski Awards

In a special presentation at the end of the evening, the WSA Academy presented a unique trophy for Outstanding Services to Ski Tourism to Dr Josef Burger, chief executive of the Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel.

Mr. Ivan Obreykov, Advertising Director of Bansko and Ms. Maya Hristoskova Financial Director of Bansko, received Bulgaria's Best Ski Resort 2013 Award from Mr. Michael Walchhofer, Mr. Stefan Eberharter and Ms. Ela Clark, photo © World Ski Awards

Taking place over the weekend of November 15th-17th in Austria’s legendary winter sports destination, guests are taking part in a three day programme of unrivalled networking events, dinners, and exclusive ski experience activities.

Mr. Ivan Obreykov, manager of Bansko Ski Resort concessionaire Ulen PLC, photo © World Ski Awards

Ski tourism figureheads and market leaders from North America, Europe Asia, South America and Australasia were in attendance as the World Ski Awards winners were unveiled this evening.

Kempinski Grand Arena Bansko won the Bulgaria`s Best Ski Hotel 2013 Award, photo © World Ski Awards

Mr. Athanassios Manos, General Manager of Kempinski Grand Arena Bansko received the Bulgaria`s Best Ski Hotel 2013 Award, photo © World Ski Awards

Sion Rapson, managing director, World Ski Awards, said: “The reaction to this – our inaugural event – has been phenomenal. Hundreds of thousands travel professionals and skiers across the globe have voted for their favourite resorts, chalets and hotels. Tonight’s winners can take enormous pride – they have been voted the finest in class.”

“On behalf of World Ski Awards, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the ski tourism figureheads and market leaders who have joined us this weekend. From here in Austria all the way to Japan, Australia and Canada, our winners represent the best in ski from every corner of the globe.”

“And what better place to celebrate than right here at A-ROSA Kitzbühel. Home to the legendary Hahnenkamm Race, this historic medieval town is synonymous with ski tourism and one of the world’s most iconic winter sports destinations.”

Mr. Alexander Bachvarov, Family Owner of "Villa Gella" received the Bulgaria`s Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013 and Bulgaria`s Best Ski Chalet 2013 Awards, photo © World Ski Awards

World Ski Awards is the sister organisation of World Travel Awards, which is heralded as “the Oscars of the travel industry”.

Uwe Schramm, general manager of the A-Rosa Resort Kitzbühel said: “We are happy to have been the hosts of the first annual World Ski Awards ever. Welcoming the international players of the ski tourism industry in Kitzbühel and celebrating our achievements together is a great honour for us.”

“I want to personally congratulate all winners from so many different places of the world such as Australia, Japan, Canada, Finland an the Unites States and many more, who all came to Kitzbühel, an incredible location to experience a charismatic mix of endearing tradition and glamorous cosmopolitan atmosphere.”

“Winning an award as 'Austria’s Best Ski Hotel' ourselves was definitely the cherry topping of this thrilling evening.”For more information visit worldskiawards.com.

World Ski Awards – Country Winners 2013

Best Ski Resorts
Andorra's Best Ski Resort 2013: Vallnord
Argentina's Best Ski Resort 2013: Cerro Castor
Australia's Best Ski Resort 2013: Perisher
Austria's Best Ski Resort 2013: Kitzbühel
Bulgaria's Best Ski Resort 2013: Bansko
Canada's Best Ski Resort 2013: Lake Louise
Chile's Best Ski Resort 2013: Portillo
Finland's Best Ski Resort 2013: Ruka
France's Best Ski Resort 2013: Val Thorens
Germany's Best Ski Resort 2013: Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Italy's Best Ski Resort 2013: Cortina d’Ampezzo
Japan's Best Ski Resort 2013: Niseko
New Zealand's Best Ski Resort 2013: Treble Cone
Norway's Best Ski Resort 2013: Trysil
Russia's Best Ski Resort 2013: Krasnaya Polyana
Slovenia's Best Ski Resort 2013: Kranjska Gora
South Korea's Best Ski Resort 2013: YongPyong
Sweden's Best Ski Resort 2013: Åre
Switzerland's Best Ski Resort 2013: LAAX
United States' Best Ski Resort 2013: Deer Valley Resort

Bansko won the Bulgaria`s Best Ski Resort 2013 Award, photo © Ulen PLC

Best Ski Hotels
Andorra's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa
Argentina's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Llao Llao Hotel & Resort
Australia's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Hotel Pension Grimus
Austria's Best Ski Hotel 2013: A-ROSA Kitzbühel
Bulgaria's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko
Canada's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside
Chile's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Portillo
Finland's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Rantasipi Rukahovi Hotel
France's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Hôtel de Charme Les Airelles
Germany's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Schloss Elmau
Italy's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Cristallo Hotel, Cortina D'Ampezzo
Japan's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Niseko Hilton
New Zealand's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa
Norway's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Radisson Blu Resort Trysil
Russia's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Grand Hotel Polyana
Slovenia's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Hotel Larix
South Korea's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort
Sweden's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Copperhill Mountain Lodge
Switzerland's Best Ski Hotel 2013: Carlton Hotel St Moritz
United States' Best Ski Hotel 2013: Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch

Best Ski Boutique Hotels
Andorra's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Grau Roig Hotel
Argentina's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Charming Luxury Lodge & Private Spa
Australia's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge
Austria's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Aurelio Lech
Bulgaria's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Villa Gella
Canada's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Adara Hotel
Chile's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Hotel Antumalal
Finland's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Hotel Iso-Syöte
France's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Hotel Le K2
Germany's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Hotel Staudecherhof
Italy's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Hotel Hermitage Spa & Beauty
Japan's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Ryokan Sakaya
New Zealand's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Eichardt's Private Hotel
Norway's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Herangtunet Boutique Hotel
Russia's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Peak Hotel
Slovenia's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Hotel Raj
Sweden's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Hotel Granen
Switzerland's Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Hotel Chesa Grischuna
United States' Best Ski Boutique Hotel 2013: Goldener Hirsch Inn

Best Ski Chalets
Andorra's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Els Llacs
Australia's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Rockpool Lodge
Austria's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Aurelio Club Chalet
Bulgaria's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Villa Gella
Canada's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Bighorn
Finland's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Rukan Salonki
France's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Chalet Marco Polo in Val d’Isere
Germany's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Country Home Pitzner
Italy's Best Ski Chalet 2013: San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge
Japan's Best Ski Chalet 2013: The Vale Niseko
New Zealand's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Azur Luxury Lodge
Norway's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Havsdalsgrenda
Slovenia's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Julian Alps
Sweden's Best Ski Chalet 2013: The Villa - Copperhill Private Lodge
Switzerland's Best Ski Chalet 2013: Chalet Zermatt Peak
United States' Best Ski Chalet 2013: Casa Nova, Deer Valley

Press Release
World Ski Awards
Saturday, 16 November, 2013

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 20th anniversary as "the Oscars of the travel industry".