Val Thorens has been named the world’s best ski resort for 2026, securing the title for the 11th time at the annual World Ski Awards. The French Alpine destination finished ahead of Deer Valley in the United States and Kitzbuhel in Austria, reinforcing its position among the leading ski destinations in the international winter tourism industry.
The results were announced at the 14th edition of the World Ski Awards, where votes from ski industry professionals and the public determined the winners across several categories. The awards recognise ski resorts, hotels, chalets and other businesses serving the global ski tourism market.
Located at an altitude of 2,300 metres, Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort. It is part of Les 3 Vallees, an extensive ski area connecting several Alpine destinations, including Courchevel and Meribel, with approximately 600 kilometres of ski pistes. Its high-altitude setting is one of the defining features of the resort, which attracts winter sports visitors looking for access to extensive skiing terrain.
Val Thorens also secured recognition in the accommodation category. Pashmina Le Refuge was named the world’s best ski boutique hotel for 2026, beating Hotel La Perla in Corvara, Italy, and The Omnia in Switzerland. The property offers ski-in, ski-out access, allowing guests to reach the slopes directly from the hotel.
Switzerland had a particularly strong showing in this year’s hotel and chalet categories. W Verbier won the award for the world’s best ski hotel, finishing ahead of Le Fitz Roy, a Beaumier Hotel in France, and Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley in the United States.
The country’s success continued in the new hotel category. Grand Hotel Belvedere, a Beaumier property in the Swiss village of Wengen, was named the world’s best new ski hotel. The hotel occupies a restored building dating from 1912 in a village where cars are not permitted. Italy’s Aman Rosa Alpina and Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin in France were also among the leading nominees.
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Switzerland also claimed the world’s best ski chalet award through Chalet Zermatt Peak. France’s Chalet Harmony and Canada’s Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa completed the top three. In the new ski chalet category, Chez Madeleine took the title, finishing ahead of Chalet des Legendes in France and Meigetsu at Aki Niseko in Japan.
Beyond traditional skiing and mountain accommodation, the awards also recognised destinations catering to freestyle sports and indoor skiing. LAAX in Switzerland was named the world’s best freestyle resort for 2026, beating Les 2 Alpes in France and Whistler Blackcomb in Canada.
LAAX also received recognition for its approach to environmentally conscious hospitality. Its rocksresort was named the world’s best green ski hotel, ahead of Naturhotel Forsthofgut in Austria and Naturhotel Leitlhof in Italy.
In the indoor skiing category, Ski Dubai in the United Arab Emirates won the world’s best indoor ski resort award. It finished ahead of Qianhai Snow World in Shenzhen, China, and SNØ Oslo in Norway. The result highlights the presence of indoor snow facilities in the international ski tourism market, including destinations outside traditional Alpine and mountain environments.
The 2026 results placed France and Switzerland among the most recognised countries in this year’s awards. France secured the leading resort title through Val Thorens and the boutique hotel award through Pashmina Le Refuge, while Switzerland collected several honours across hotels, chalets and freestyle skiing.
For travellers planning a winter holiday, the awards provide a list of internationally recognised destinations and accommodation options to consider. However, the winning titles reflect votes cast by industry professionals and the public rather than a universal assessment of every ski resort. Factors such as skiing ability, accommodation costs, accessibility, snow conditions and the type of winter experience visitors want remain important when choosing where to travel.
