France’s Val Thorens has won World’s Best Ski Resort at the 2026 World Ski Awards, taking the title for the 11th time. The French Alps resort enters the 2026–27 winter season with about 150 kilometres of pistes in the Val Thorens–Orelle area and access to the wider Les 3 Vallées network.
The local ski season is scheduled to run from 21 November 2026 to 2 May 2027, subject to operating conditions. Switzerland also featured prominently in the awards, winning six global honours across ski hotels, chalets and freestyle facilities. National winners in North America and Asia rounded out a field that included both mountain resorts and indoor snow attractions.
Val Thorens Offers Two Scales of Ski Holiday
The village sits at approximately 2,300 metres, within a ski network that links resorts including Courchevel and Méribel. Les 3 Vallées offers around 600 kilometres of pistes. The Val Thorens–Orelle area gives visitors a smaller circuit to explore from the same base, with enough terrain to build a trip around the local slopes.
That choice matters when booking accommodation and lift access. A group spending most of its time around Val Thorens and Orelle may have different priorities from skiers who want to cross into neighbouring valleys. Visitors planning an early or late visit can check which lifts and links are operating for their dates, as the local season schedule is subject to conditions.
France also took the global boutique ski hotel award through Pashmina Le Refuge and the ski resort group award through Compagnie des Alpes. The results put accommodation alongside terrain in the spotlight as operators prepare for winter.
Switzerland Wins Across Hotels, Chalets and Freestyle
W Verbier took World’s Best Ski Hotel, while Grand Hotel Belvedere in Wengen won the global new ski hotel title. Chalet Zermatt Peak received the ski chalet award, and Chez Madeleine in Evolène won the new chalet category. The results give travellers several starting points when comparing a hotel stay with private accommodation for a family or group.
LAAX won World’s Best Freestyle Resort, and its rocksresort took the green ski hotel title. A freestyle-focused trip can revolve around the facilities at LAAX, while the hotel and chalet winners in other Swiss destinations give travellers different bases for a winter holiday.
In Austria, Kitzbühel won the national resort title and its lift operator, Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel, took the global ski resort company award. KitzSki offers a five-day pass usable within seven days, giving visitors room to alternate skiing with sightseeing or rest. Italy’s national resort award went to 3 Zinnen Dolomites, while Hotel La Perla in Corvara took the country’s boutique ski hotel title.
Deer Valley Adds Terrain as Lake Louise Leads in Canada
Utah’s Deer Valley won the US resort award and plans to add about 200 acres of skiable terrain for the coming winter. Its expansion includes seven runs and the Hail Peak Express lift. The resort has scheduled its public opening for 5 December 2026, subject to conditions. Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley won the US ski hotel category.
Lake Louise Ski Resort took Canada’s national title, while Whistler Blackcomb appeared among the global freestyle nominees. Canada also won the international heli-ski operator award through Northern Escape Heli-Skiing. The Canadian results span established resort skiing and guided trips that visitors can organise around a more specialised itinerary.
Asian Resorts and Dubai Extend the Winter Options
Japan’s APPI Kogen won the national resort award, and ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort received the country’s ski hotel title. In China, Songhua Lake Resort took the national resort award, while Qianhai Snow World appeared among the global indoor nominees.
Ski Dubai won the global indoor resort title. Located inside the Mall of the Emirates, the attraction offers lessons, equipment hire and a snow park covering approximately 4,500 square metres. That gives visitors a way to fit a ski session into a city holiday, with the rest of their itinerary built around Dubai.
For travellers weighing the award winners, the most useful comparison starts with the kind of trip they want. Val Thorens offers an Alpine base with access to neighbouring valleys, while other winners stand out for freestyle facilities, lodging or guided experiences. Dates, lift access and the location of accommodation will shape how much of each destination visitors can experience during their stay.
For more travel news like this, keep reading Global Travel Wire
