Kitzbühel, Austria – The world’s finest ski tourism brands have been unveiled at a red carpet gala ceremony in Kitzbühel, as figureheads, decision makers, and innovators of the ski industry gathered at the five-star A-ROSA Kitzbühel for the World Ski Awards 2018 to find out who amongst them had been crowned the finest in their fields.

Winners at the gala ceremony included Europe’s highest resort, Val Thorens, voted “World’s Best Ski Resort” thanks to its vast network of snow-sure slopes. The perfect balance of contemporary design and Swiss tradition led to W Verbier collecting “World’s Best Ski Hotel”, while Chalet Les Anges in Zermatt was named “World’s Best Ski Chalet”.

In America, Utah’s Deer Valley Resort was for the sixth time once again named “Best U.S. Ski Resort” while at Deer Valley, Stein Eriksen Lodge garnered the “United States’ Best Ski Hotel” and fellow Deer Valley property Goldener Hirsch Inn earned the title “U.S. Best Ski Boutique Hotel”.

“We are forever grateful for our guests and industry peers for sharing their praise for Deer Valley,” said Todd Shallan, Deer Valley Resort president and chief operating officer. “It is truly an honor to receive the United States’ Best Ski Resort award for six years running, and we will continue providing guests with the unparalleled ski destination experience for which we are known.”

“We are incredibly proud to be named the Best Ski Boutique Hotel in the United States and recognized in the top three Best Ski Boutique hotels in the world,” said Michael Blakley, Goldener Hirsh Inn’s General Manager. “Such high praise is a testament to the staff of the Goldener Hirsh Inn and our owners, the Eccles family, for their continued commitment to providing a world class experience at Deer Valley Resort.”

In the newcomer categories, understated luxury and home-from-home comforts helped Fahrenheit Seven Courchevel scoop “World’s Best New Ski Hotel’” while the unrivaled ski-in ski-out convenience of Chalet des Cascades (Les Arcs) led to it winning “World’s Best New Ski Chalet”.

In a special category to acknowledge his pioneering work revolutionizing the Argentine ski resort of Chapelco, Juan Cruz Adrogué was awarded the trophy for “Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism”.

World Ski Awards 2018 brought together representatives from ski nations across Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Australasia. The awards ceremony marked the climax of a three-day itinerary that included exclusive networking events, gourmet dinners, site-seeing tours and alpine activities.

Winners also included Aurelio Lech, Austria (“World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel”); Ski Dubai (“World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort”); Switzerland’s LAAX (“World’s Best Freestyle Resort”); Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel (“World’s Best Ski Resort Company”); Bella Coola Heli Sports, Canada (“World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator”); rocksresort, Switzerland (“World’s Best Green Ski Hotel”); Schneebeben (“World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator”); Leo Trippi (“World’s Best Ski Travel Agent”) and Sunweb (“World’s Best Ski Tour Operator”).