The 13th annual World Ski Awards wrapped in Austria this week and delivered a snapshot of where the world’s snow business is heading. New categories recognising tour operators and agents joined the traditional resort and hotel awards, broadening what defines success in ski tourism.
The World Ski Awards results, voted on by industry executives, operators and consumers, show a sector in transition. Asia’s new luxury entrants, sustainable operators and lifestyle-led hotels are now competing head-on with Europe’s established heavyweights.
World Ski Awards Managing Director Sion Rapson said the record turnout “reflects how dynamic and competitive the ski tourism sector has become. It’s no longer just about destination prestige, but who’s innovating, scaling and driving bookings.”
The changing shape of competition
The most significant evolution in the 2025 World Ski Awards was the addition of awards for tour operators and travel agents serving key ski destinations including Japan, the US, Italy, France and Switzerland. The shift acknowledges the growing role of distribution and retail networks in shaping where and how travellers ski.
For the trade, these new World Ski Awards categories recognise the people and companies converting aspiration into travel. Among them, luxury ski specialist Leo Trippi was named World’s Best Ski Travel Agent, highlighting the influence of agency expertise in shaping premium snow itineraries. It’s a sign that the ski industry’s value chain now extends well beyond the mountain.
Europe holds its ground
France’s Val Thorens retained the title of World’s Best Ski Resort 2025 for its infrastructure and lift investment, while Switzerland’s LAAX continued its dual leadership as World’s Best Freestyle Resort and home to World’s Best Green Ski Hotel (rocksresort). The wins reinforce both destinations’ status as benchmarks for scale and sustainability.
In the US, Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley again took World’s Best Ski Hotel, cementing North America’s position at the luxury end of the market.
Asia-Pacific’s rise
Japan’s Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO, part of the Okura Nikko Hotel Group, won World’s Best New Ski Hotel, confirming the country’s climb into the global premium snow segment. For Australian agents and wholesalers, Niseko’s continued growth opens new opportunities for packaging, partnerships and year-round alpine marketing.
Sustainability and experience
Canada’s Northern Escape Heli-Skiing was named World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator, while Switzerland’s rocksresort again secured its green crown. Sustainability has become a measurable value driver for operators and agents as travellers look for climate-conscious experiences.
Ski Dubai maintained its title as World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort, demonstrating how engineered environments are broadening participation and stimulating outbound demand from non-alpine markets.
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
What it means for the trade
The 2025 results point to a ski industry where prestige and performance are measured across the full supply chain. For Australian wholesalers and retailers, the data is clear: align with award-winning partners, follow Japan’s momentum and leverage sustainability as a sales edge.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The 2025 World Ski Awards shifted from pure prestige to practical influence, showing that the future of ski tourism belongs to those who connect travellers to the mountain.
