France Triumphs as Val Thorens Named World’s Best Ski...

VAL THORENS, France — France has reinforced its dominance in global winter sports tourism as Val Thorens claimed the title of World’s Best Ski Resort at the World Ski Awards 2026, marking an unprecedented eleventh global victory for the high-altitude Savoyard destination.

The annual awards ceremony, which concluded international industry and consumer voting on November 12, 2026, highlighted a dynamic realignment across the international snow tourism sector. While France secured the premier resort title alongside victories in boutique hospitality and resort management, Switzerland dominated the luxury hospitality categories by capturing six of the nine principal global distinctions. Concurrently, Austria, the United States, Canada, Italy, Japan, China, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates earned major category wins, reflecting extensive terrain expansions, rail-connected Alpine infrastructure, and the global spread of indoor snow facilities.

                   WORLD SKI AWARDS 2026: GLOBAL GEOGRAPHY OF WINNERS
 
  [ FRANCE: PREMIER RESORT DOMINANCE ]
  • World's Best Ski Resort: Val Thorens (11th Victory / Les 3 Vallées)
  • World's Best Ski Boutique Hotel: Pashmina Le Refuge (Val Thorens)
  • World's Best Ski Resort Group: Compagnie des Alpes
                         |
  +----------------------+-----------------------+
  |                                              |
  v                                              v
  [ SWITZERLAND: LUXURY HOSPITALITY ]            [ AUSTRIA & NORTH AMERICA ]
  • World's Best Ski Hotel: W Verbier            • World's Best Ski Company: Bergbahn Kitzbühel
  • World's Best New Ski Hotel: Grand Belvedere  • US Best Resort: Deer Valley (200-Acre Expansion)
  • World's Best Freestyle: LAAX                 • World's Best Heli-Ski: Northern Escape (Canada)
  • World's Best Green Hotel: rocksresort        • Italy Best Resort: 3 Zinnen Dolomites
  • World's Best Chalets: Zermatt Peak & Evolène
                         |
                         v
  [ ASIA & MIDDLE EAST INNOVATION ]
  • Japan Best Resort: APPI Kogen / ANA InterContinental
  • China Best Resort: Songhua Lake Resort (Jilin)
  • World's Best Indoor Ski Resort: Ski Dubai (Mall of the Emirates, UAE)

Global Ski Tourism Benchmark: The 2026 Category Champions

The World Ski Awards evaluate excellence across international ski hospitality, infrastructure, and mountain services through verified voting from senior tourism executives, travel buyers, tour operators, and passionate ski consumers worldwide.

The 2026 results demonstrate how global winter destinations compete through distinct market specializations: France leads in high-altitude interconnected ski domains; Switzerland sets the global standard for five-star luxury lodging and freestyle terrain parks; Austria excels in corporate mountain operations and village charm; North America delivers massive private capital expansions; and the Middle East and Asia expand access through high-latitude powder destinations and climate-controlled indoor complexes.

Global Award Category	Winning Destination / Property	Country / Region	Operating Highlights & Technical Distinctions
World’s Best Ski Resort	Val Thorens	France (Savoie)	Highest resort in Europe (2,300m); 11-time global winner; 600 km linked pistes
World’s Best Ski Hotel	W Verbier	Switzerland (Valais)	Alpine-chic luxury at 1,500m; ski-in/ski-out access to Les 4 Vallées; Away Spa
World’s Best New Ski Hotel	Grand Hotel Belvedere	Switzerland (Wengen)	Historic Belle Époque restoration; car-free Alpine village overlooking Lauterbrunnen
World’s Best Freestyle Resort	LAAX	Switzerland (Graubünden)	Four snowparks, world's largest permanent halfpipe, Freestyle Academy
World’s Best Green Ski Hotel	rocksresort	Switzerland (Laax)	Certified sustainable design; 100% regional renewable energy; zero-waste focus
World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel	Pashmina Le Refuge	France (Val Thorens)	Five-star boutique luxury at 2,350m; Cosy Home suites; Michelin-starred dining
World’s Best Ski Chalet	Chalet Zermatt Peak	Switzerland (Zermatt)	Ultra-luxury 6-star private chalet; Matterhorn views; private Michelin-trained chef
World’s Best New Ski Chalet	Chez Madeleine	Switzerland (Evolène)	High-Alpine heritage restoration in Val d'Hérens; sustainable timber architecture
World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort	Ski Dubai	UAE (Dubai)	4,500 m² indoor snow park; sub-zero year-round slopes inside Mall of the Emirates
World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator	Northern Escape Heli-Skiing	Canada (British Columbia)	Skeena Mountains deep powder; snowcat backup; private helicopter access
World’s Best Ski Resort Company	Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel	Austria (Tyrol)	Operates 58 modern cable cars and lifts across 233 km of KitzSki slopes

Val Thorens Claims Global Crown for the Eleventh Time

Located in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps, Val Thorens secured the title of World’s Best Ski Resort for the eleventh time in the award program’s history. Purpose-built in 1971 at an elevation of 2,300 metres above sea level, Val Thorens remains the highest ski resort village in Europe, giving it an undeniable natural snow-reliability advantage over lower-altitude Alpine competitors facing unpredictable winter precipitation patterns.

                   LES 3 VALLÉES SKI DOMAIN ARCHITECTURE
 
  [ VAL THORENS / ORELLE ] =========== [ COURCHEVEL ]
  • Village Elevation: 2,300m          • Luxury Palaces & Airfield
  • Summit Elevation: 3,230m           • 150 km Groomed Pistes
  • 150 km Local Pistes                • Direct Lift Links to Méribel
            \                                /
             \                              /
              \                            /
               v                          v
             [ MÉRIBEL ] <===> [ LES MENUIRES / ST-MARTIN ]
             • Central Valley Hub      • Family Terrain & Off-Piste
             • Chalet-Style Lodges     • 160 km Local Pistes
             • 150 km Local Pistes     • Fast Gondola Arteries
                          |
                          v
        [ INTERCONNECTED DOMAIN: 600 KM TOTAL PISTES ]
        • 160 Modern Lifts | 85% of Slopes Above 1,800 Metres

1. The High-Altitude Advantage and Operational Dates

Val Thorens’ unique bowl topography ensures that 99% of its ski area is situated above 2,000 metres, with its highest lift-accessed summit reaching 3,230 metres at the Pointe du Bouchet in the Orelle sector. This elevation allows the resort to maintain one of the longest continuous winter operating seasons in Europe:

Confirmed 2026–27 Winter Season: Scheduled to open on November 21, 2026, and operate through May 2, 2027, weather permitting.
Local Network: The combined Val Thorens–Orelle ski area comprises approximately 150 kilometres of groomed runs served by 31 high-speed lifts, including the Caron cable car.
Interconnected Domain: Val Thorens forms the western anchor of Les 3 Vallées, recognized as the world's largest linked ski area, encompassing approximately 600 kilometres of interconnected pistes across Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, and Orelle.

2. Supporting French Category Triumphs

France’s success at the 2026 awards extended beyond the resort level. The five-star Pashmina Le Refuge, situated directly on the slopes of Val Thorens at 2,350 metres, was named World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel. The property blends high-altitude alpine authenticity with contemporary luxury, offering private "Cosy Home" chalets, an expansive spa by L'Occitane, and gastronomy at Les Explorateurs, which holds a Michelin star.

Additionally, French leisure conglomerate Compagnie des Alpes (CDA) was voted World’s Best Ski Resort Company Group. CDA manages eleven major French ski domains—including Val Thorens, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Les Arcs, La Plagne, and Méribel—and was recognized for its multi-million-euro investments in automated snowmaking efficiency, solar-powered lift infrastructure, and carbon-reduction initiatives.

Switzerland Dominates Global Luxury Ski Hospitality and Freestyle

While France captured the overall resort title, Switzerland proved untouchable across the luxury hospitality and youth lifestyle categories, securing six of the nine principal global awards.

              SWISS DOMINANCE: 6 GLOBAL AWARDS ACROSS 4 REGIONS
 
  [ VALAIS CANTON ]
  • World's Best Ski Hotel: W Verbier (Verbier)
  • World's Best Ski Chalet: Chalet Zermatt Peak (Zermatt)
  • World's Best New Ski Chalet: Chez Madeleine (Evolène)
 
  [ GRAUBÜNDEN CANTON ]
  • World's Best Freestyle Resort: LAAX
  • World's Best Green Ski Hotel: rocksresort (Laax)
 
  [ BERNESE OBERLAND CANTON ]
  • World's Best New Ski Hotel: Grand Hotel Belvedere (Wengen)

1. W Verbier: The Global Gold Standard in Ski Hospitality

Capturing the award for World’s Best Ski Hotel 2026, the five-star W Verbier sits directly at the foot of the Medran cable car at an altitude of 1,500 metres in the Valais Alps. Offering ski-in/ski-out access to Verbier’s famed 410-kilometre Les 4 Vallées ski network, the hotel combines Swiss chalet timbering with contemporary urban aesthetics. The property features 123 guest rooms and residences, the 800-square-metre Away Spa, and vibrant après-ski social spaces that attract an international clientele.

2. Heritage Reborn: Grand Hotel Belvedere in Car-Free Wengen

The distinction for World’s Best New Ski Hotel 2026 was awarded to the Grand Hotel Belvedere, located in the historic, car-free village of Wengen in the Bernese Oberland. Accessible only by the historic Wengernalp cogwheel railway, the property reopened following an extensive multi-year architectural restoration of its 19th-century Belle Époque buildings. Perched high above the Lauterbrunnen valley, the hotel provides immediate access to the Jungfrau ski region while delivering thermal spa facilities and classic Swiss hospitality.

3. LAAX: The Global Epicenter of Freestyle and Eco-Innovation

In Graubünden, the resort of LAAX retained its undisputed position as the world leader in action sports by winning World’s Best Freestyle Resort 2026. LAAX houses four dedicated snowparks, over 90 obstacles, and the world’s largest permanent superpipe (200 metres long and 6.9 metres high), hosting premier events like the LAAX Open.

Adjacent to the base station, rocksresort won World’s Best Green Ski Hotel 2026. Designed with minimalist regional quartzite stone and untreated timber, rocksresort operates under the "Greenstyle" sustainability foundation, utilizing 100% certified renewable biomass heating, zero-waste gastronomy, and strict carbon-neutral building standards.

4. Pinnacle Private Lodging: Zermatt and Evolène

Switzerland swept the private chalet categories:

World’s Best Ski Chalet 2026: Chalet Zermatt Peak, a six-star private residence carved into the granite cliffside of Zermatt, offering floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the iconic Matterhorn, a private wellness centre with an indoor/outdoor pool, and dedicated butler and private chef service.
World’s Best New Ski Chalet 2026: Chez Madeleine, situated in the traditional village of Evolène in the Val d'Hérens, celebrated for its sensitive preservation of centuries-old larch wood timber architecture paired with ultra-luxury geothermal amenities.

Austria’s Alpine Heritage: Kitzbühel and Flexible Ski Pass Models

Austria demonstrated its enduring leadership in Alpine tourism through the historic Tyrolean destination of Kitzbühel. While Val Thorens won the global resort category, Kitzbühel was named Austria’s Best Ski Resort 2026, and its municipal lift operator, Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel, secured the global title of World’s Best Ski Resort Company.

                   KITZBÜHEL WINTER TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE
 
  [ MOUNTAIN TERRAIN: KITZSKI DOMAIN ]
  • 233 km Downhill Slopes | 58 Cable Cars & Chairlifts
  • Home of the Legendary Hahnenkamm "Streif" Downhill Race
  • 96 Lift-Accessible Runs Across Tyrol & Salzburg Provinces
                         |
  +----------------------+-----------------------+
  |                                              |
  v                                              v
  [ MOBILITY & TRANSIT ACCESS ]                  [ COMMERCIAL TARIFF INNOVATION ]
  • Direct ÖBB Intercity Train Station           • KitzSki "5-in-7 Day" Flexible Pass
  • Hahnenkammbahn Gondola Across from Tracks    • Decouples Skiing from Consecutive Days
  • Regional Ski Bus Network Included            • Encourages Spa, Dining & Cultural Days

1. Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel: Engineering Excellence

Operating under the brand name KitzSki, Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel manages one of the most technologically advanced lift infrastructures in the world, spanning 58 cable cars and chairlifts that connect 233 kilometres of groomed slopes across Tyrol and Salzburg provinces. The resort is world-renowned for the legendary Hahnenkamm Streif, widely considered the most dangerous and prestigious downhill race on the FIS World Cup circuit.

Other Austrian category winners included:

Austria’s Best Ski Hotel: Schlosshotel Kitzbühel
Austria’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel: Hotel Rasmushof Kitzbühel (located directly at the finish line of the Streif)
Austria’s Best Ski Chalet: Hahnenkamm Lodge

2. The KitzSki "5-in-7 Day" Flexible Pass

KitzSki has pioneered modern ticketing flexibility to accommodate changing traveller behavior. Rather than forcing visitors to purchase consecutive multi-day passes that penalize rest days or bad weather, the resort offers a flexible 5-day pass usable within any 7-day period. This tariff structure allows guests to intersperse demanding ski days with visits to local spas, excursions to nearby Innsbruck or Salzburg, or dining in historic Tyrolean taverns without forfeiting lift ticket value.

Additionally, Kitzbühel stands out for its direct rail connectivity. The Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm railway station, served by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), sits directly opposite the main gondola base station, allowing skiers to arrive from Munich, Innsbruck, or Vienna and board the lifts within minutes without driving.

North American Expansions: Deer Valley and Canadian Heli-Skiing

In North America, major capital investments in resort expansion and wilderness adventure skiing captured international attention.

              NORTH AMERICAN EXPANSION & ADVENTURE SKIING
 
  [ UNITED STATES: DEER VALLEY RESORT ]     [ CANADA: WILDERNESS HELI-SKIING ]
  • Voted United States' Best Ski Resort    • World's Best Heli-Ski Operator:
  • "Expanded Excellence" Project Launch      Northern Escape Heli-Skiing (BC)
  • Hail Peak Express 6-Pack Lift           • Skeena Mountain Range Deep Powder
  • 7 New Downhill Ski Runs                 • Snowcat Backup System for Storm Days
  • ~200 Acres of New Terrain (2026–27)     • Post Hotel & Spa (Lake Louise Win)
  • Public Opening Set for 5 Dec 2026       • Wedge Mountain Lodge (Whistler Win)

1. Deer Valley's "Expanded Excellence" Capital Project

Located in Park City, Utah, Deer Valley Resort was named the United States’ Best Ski Resort 2026 and finished among the top global resort nominees. Renowned for its ski-only policy (snowboarding is not permitted), manicured groomers, and capped daily skier numbers, Deer Valley is executing one of the largest ski resort expansions in North American history:

2026–27 Winter Additions: Official announcements confirm the debut of the Hail Peak Express high-speed six-passenger chairlift, providing access to seven brand-new downhill ski runs and approximately 200 acres of newly developed terrain, opening for public skiing on December 5, 2026, conditions permitting.
Supporting US Honors: Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley won the United States’ Best Ski Hotel title, while the Goldener Hirsch, Auberge Resorts Collection, secured the United States’ Best Ski Boutique Hotel award.

2. Canada: Deep Powder and Remote Heli-Skiing

Canada retained its reputation as the global capital of wilderness snow sports:

World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator 2026: Awarded to Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, based in Terrace, British Columbia. Operating in the Skeena Mountains, the company provides access to deep maritime powder across 5,500 square kilometres of wilderness terrain, featuring specialized snowcat backup to ensure uninterrupted skiing during heavy storm cycles.
Canada’s Best Ski Resort 2026: Won by Lake Louise Ski Resort in Alberta's Banff National Park, celebrated for its expansive Rocky Mountain scenery and early-season World Cup racing.
Canada’s Best Ski Hotel: Won by the historic Post Hotel & Spa in Lake Louise village.
Canada’s Best Ski Chalet: Won by Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa in Whistler, which was also nominated for the global chalet title.

The Rise of Asian Winter Destinations: Japan, China, and Indoor Innovation in the UAE

The 2026 awards highlighted the expanding geographical reach of winter sports outside the traditional European and North American Alpine corridors.

                    ASIAN & INDOOR SNOW TOURISM LANDSCAPE
 
  [ JAPAN: TOHOKU & HOKKAIDO ]            [ CHINA: REGIONAL RESORT GROWTH ]
  • Japan Best Resort: APPI Kogen         • China Best Resort: Songhua Lake (Jilin)
  • Luxury Lodging: ANA InterContinental  • Indoor Nominee: Qianhai Snow World
  • Niseko Honors: Ki Niseko & Sekka Kan  • Rapid Domestic Winter Market Expansion
                         |
                         v
  [ UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: INDOOR SNOW SUPREMACY ]
  • World's Best Indoor Ski Resort: Ski Dubai (Mall of the Emirates)
  • 4,500 m² Climate-Controlled Real Snow Park
  • Year-Round Snow Sports in the Arabian Desert
  • Nominees: SNØ Oslo (Norway) & Qianhai Snow World (China)

1. Japan: APPI Kogen and the Tohoku Snow Belt

In Japan, APPI Kogen, located in Iwate Prefecture in the northern Tohoku region, claimed Japan’s Best Ski Resort 2026, while the adjacent ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort was awarded Japan’s Best Ski Hotel. Often referred to as the "Aspen of Japan," APPI Kogen attracts international powder enthusiasts seeking pristine uncompressed snow without the crowding observed in parts of Hokkaido.

In Niseko, boutique property Ki Niseko secured Japan’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel, while Sekka Kan took the national chalet award, and the newly unveiled Meigetsu at Aki Niseko earned a global new chalet nomination.

2. China: Songhua Lake and Urban Snow Facilities

Reflecting the post-2022 Winter Olympics boom, China's Songhua Lake Resort in Jilin Province won China’s Best Ski Resort 2026. Simultaneously, the colossal Qianhai Snow World in Shenzhen appeared among the international nominees for World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort, highlighting China’s construction of massive climate-controlled snow complexes in southern metropolitan centres.

3. United Arab Emirates: Ski Dubai Retains World Indoor Crown

Demonstrating that winter sports are no longer bound by latitude or outdoor climate, Ski Dubai, situated within the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, won the title of World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort 2026.

Operating since 2005, Ski Dubai features a 4,500-square-metre indoor snow park maintained at -1 to -2 degrees Celsius, offering five ski slopes of varying difficulty (including the world’s first indoor black diamond run), a quad chairlift, a tobogganing hill, and ski school programs. The award confirms how indoor snow domes offer an accessible gateway to winter sports for travellers visiting the Arabian Gulf without requiring mountain travel.

Multimodal Alpine Transport: Airports, High-Speed Rail, and the Eurostar Snow Route

Accessing high-altitude ski resorts requires coordinated transport logistics. The 2026 awards spotlighted how leading Alpine regions integrate international aviation, high-speed rail, and road coach transfers.

               VAL THORENS MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT ARTERIES
 
  [ AIRPORT GATEWAYS ]
  • Geneva Airport (GVA)   - 140 km (2.5 to 3.0 Hours Coach Transfer)
  • Lyon-St Exupéry (LYS) - 180 km (2.5 to 3.0 Hours Coach Transfer)
  • Chambéry Airport (CMF) - 100 km (1.5 to 2.0 Hours Coach Transfer)
  • Grenoble Airport (GNB) - 140 km (2.0 to 2.5 Hours Coach Transfer)
                         |
                         v
  [ HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY GATEWAY: MOÛTIERS-SALINS ]
  • TGV InOui Services from Paris Gare de Lyon (4.5 Hours Direct)
  • Eurostar Snow Direct Service from London St Pancras via Lille
                         |
                         v (37 km Mountain Highway / Altiport Links)
  [ VAL THORENS RESORT VILLAGE (2,300M ELEVATION) ]

1. Gateway Airports and Coach Transfers for Val Thorens

International travellers bound for Val Thorens typically arrive via four primary airports:

Geneva Airport (GVA): Switzerland's primary French-border gateway, situated roughly 140 kilometres from Val Thorens (transfer time: 2.5 to 3 hours).
Lyon–Saint-Exupéry (LYS): France’s primary regional hub, located 180 kilometres away (transfer time: 2.5 to 3 hours).
Chambéry Airport (CMF): Closest regional airport at 100 kilometres (transfer time: 1.5 to 2 hours), serving weekend winter charters from the UK and Scandinavia.
Grenoble Alpes Isère (GNB): Located 140 kilometres away (transfer time: 2 to 2.5 hours).

2. High-Speed Rail and the Eurostar Snow Connection

The railway hub for Val Thorens is the Moûtiers–Salins–Brides-les-Bains station, situated at the base of the Tarentaise Valley approximately 37 kilometres below the resort. Regular mountain coach lines and private taxis link the railway platforms to the high-altitude village in approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

For the 2026–27 season, rail passengers benefit from:

Direct TGV Services: French national rail operator SNCF runs direct high-speed TGV InOui trains from Paris Gare de Lyon to Moûtiers in under 4.5 hours on winter weekends.
Eurostar Snow Direct Route: British and European skiers can utilize the dedicated Eurostar Snow service, operating on select weekends from London St Pancras International through Lille Europe directly into Moûtiers, avoiding airport baggage lines and providing generous complimentary luggage allowances for ski and snowboard bags.

3. The Global Pass Alliances: Epic Pass vs Ikon Pass

The award results reflect the growing consolidation of global ski travel through international multi-resort passes:

Ikon Pass: Includes participating partners such as Deer Valley, KitzSki (Kitzbühel), Zermatt, and Niseko, allowing skiers to visit premier resorts in North America, Europe, and Asia on a single seasonal credential.
Epic Pass: Operated by Vail Resorts, the pass incorporates Whistler Blackcomb alongside reciprocal European access partnerships with Les 3 Vallées (including Val Thorens) and Verbier.

Strategic Guidance for Winter Travellers, Luxury Ski Advisors, and Tour Operators

When planning high-end winter sports vacations based on the 2026 World Ski Awards, travel advisors and consumers should consider these practical recommendations:

Prioritize Altitude for Early- and Late-Season Bookings: To ensure reliable snow coverage in November, December, or late April, select high-altitude resorts where the village sits above 2,000 metres (such as Val Thorens) or glaciated peaks like Zermatt. Lower-elevation resorts below 1,200 metres face increased reliance on artificial snowmaking during warming trends.
Book Swiss Luxury Properties 6 to 10 Months Ahead: Top-tier award-winning properties—such as W Verbier, Chalet Zermatt Peak, and Grand Hotel Belvedere in Wengen—have limited inventory and frequently sell out for peak festive and February school holiday weeks nearly a year in advance.
Evaluate Rail Accessibility to Avoid Mountain Road Delays: Alpine road transfers can face severe weekend traffic bottlenecks during snowstorms. Opting for rail-connected destinations like Kitzbühel (station in town) or Wengen and Zermatt (fully car-free, accessed exclusively by train) eliminates road delays and enhances holiday relaxation.
Scrutinize Airline Ski Equipment Policies: When flying with personal ski or snowboard gear, review carrier luggage tariffs carefully. While carriers like Swiss International Air Lines transport one set of ski gear free of charge on select fare classes, low-cost European carriers often impose substantial oversized baggage surcharges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Val Thorens win World’s Best Ski Resort for the eleventh time in 2026?

Val Thorens won the global title due to its altitude advantage as Europe's highest ski resort (village at 2,300m, 99% of terrain above 2,000m), guaranteed natural snow reliability from November to May, direct ski-in/ski-out access, and direct integration into the 600-kilometre Les 3 Vallées domain.

Which country won the most awards at the World Ski Awards 2026?

Switzerland dominated the principal international categories, winning six of the nine premier global distinctions: World’s Best Ski Hotel (W Verbier), World’s Best New Ski Hotel (Grand Hotel Belvedere), World’s Best Freestyle Resort (LAAX), World’s Best Green Ski Hotel (rocksresort), World’s Best Ski Chalet (Chalet Zermatt Peak), and World’s Best New Ski Chalet (Chez Madeleine).

What new terrain is Deer Valley Resort adding for the 2026–27 ski season?

Under its "Expanded Excellence" project, Deer Valley in Utah is unveiling the new Hail Peak Express chairlift, seven new downhill runs, and approximately 200 acres of new skiable terrain, scheduled to open for public skiing on December 5, 2026.

How does KitzSki’s flexible ski pass work in Austria?

KitzSki in Kitzbühel offers a flexible 5-in-7 day lift pass that permits guests to ski any five days within a seven-day validity window, allowing visitors to take rest days, enjoy thermal spas, or explore regional cultural sites without losing lift ticket value.

Can travellers ski year-round at Ski Dubai in the United Arab Emirates?

Yes. Ski Dubai, located inside the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, is a fully enclosed 4,500-square-metre indoor snow resort maintained at sub-zero temperatures, offering five ski runs, chairlifts, and a snow park 365 days a year.

France Triumphs as Val Thorens Named World’s Best Ski Resort at the World Ski Awards 2026 Amid Global Alpine Tourism Expansion