The world’s best ski resorts and hotels

1. World’s best ski resort: Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier in Switzerland was voted the world’s best ski resort at the World Ski Awards 2021 – the first time it has won the top gong. Known as “the cradle of Swiss skiing”, Verbier is a paradise for winter sports with its highest lift reaching 3,330m. The village is home to slate-roofed chalets, luxurious accommodation and some of the best gastronomy in the Alps.

The ninth annual World Ski Awards attracted a record number of votes and the appetite for ski tourism “has never been stronger”, said Sion Rapson, managing director of the awards. This “bodes well as the global recovery gathers momentum”.

verbier.ch

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

2. World’s best ski hotel: W Verbier, Switzerland

It was a double celebration for the resort of Verbier. For the sixth consecutive year the W Verbier was named both the best ski hotel in Switzerland and the best ski hotel in the world. This luxurious hotel boasts “contemporary alpine design” and is located directly next to the Verbier Cable Car, said BusinessClass.com. It offers ski-to-door access and facilities include a spa area with indoor pool and heated outdoor pool.

marriott.com

3. World’s best new ski hotel: The Vale Rusutsu, Japan

The Vale Rusutsu is a ski-in, ski-out development which promises “world-class service and facilities” in one of Hokkaido’s premier powder destinations, Powderlife said. Rusutsu has always been one of Hokkaido’s “best-kept secrets” and this state-of-the-art condominium development is located at the base of Rusutsu’s slopes.

nisade.com

4. World’s best ski boutique hotel: Aurelio Lech, Austria

The stunning Aurelio is a modern alpine-style hotel situated right on the lower slopes of Lech in Austria, said Scout. This exclusive boutique is expensive, but “worth it”. The tagline for this luxury five-star should be “at your service”, said Michelle Tchea on The Hotel Guru. “Your wish is the Aurelio’s command – go hiking with alpacas, have a luxury car shuttle service to nearby mountains – throw anything at them and you will get it. One of the best.”

aureliolech.com

5. World’s best ski chalet: Chalet Zermatt Peak, Switzerland

The small ski village of Zermatt in Switzerland is the “very essence” of the term “winter wonderland”, said the Travelling King travel blog. Everywhere you look “all you can see is snowy peaks, pine trees and cosy wooden ski chalets”. Sitting in the shadow of the majestic Matterhorn, Chalet Zermatt Peak was awarded the world’s best ski chalet gong. It’s a stunning ski destination that “pays homage to architectural design and embraces luxury”, Prestige reported.

chaletzermattpeak.com