World Ski Awards winners revealed in Kitzbühel, Austria

World Ski Awards has recognised the very best in the global ski tourism industry during its inaugural Gala Ceremony at A-ROSA Kitzbühel this evening. The event, attended by 200 handpicked guests, saw the title of World's Best Ski Resort go to Val Thorens (France), while Bighorn, Revelstoke (Canada) took World's Best Ski Chalet, Aurelio Lech (Austria) won World's Best Ski Boutique Hotel and World's Best Ski Hotel went to The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch (USA).

In a special presentation at the end of the evening, the WSA Academy presented a unique trophy for Outstanding Services to Ski Tourism to Dr Josef Burger, chief executive of the Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel.

Taking place over the weekend of November 15th-17th in Austria's legendary winter sports destination, guests are taking part in a three day programme of unrivalled networking events, dinners, and exclusive ski experience activities.

Ski tourism figureheads and market leaders from North America, Europe Asia, South America and Australasia were in attendance as the World Ski Awards winners were unveiled this evening.

Sion Rapson, managing director, World Ski Awards, said: "The reaction to this – our inaugural event – has been phenomenal. Hundreds of thousands travel professionals and skiers across the globe have voted for their favourite resorts, chalets and hotels. Tonight's winners can take enormous pride – they have been voted the finest in class."

"On behalf of World Ski Awards, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the ski tourism figureheads and market leaders who have joined us this weekend. From here in Austria all the way to Japan, Australia and Canada, our winners represent the best in ski from every corner of the globe."

"And what better place to celebrate than right here at A-ROSA Kitzbühel. Home to the legendary Hahnenkamm Race, this historic medieval town is synonymous with ski tourism and one of the world's most iconic winter sports destinations."

World Ski Awards is the sister organisation of World Travel Awards, which is heralded as "the Oscars of the travel industry".

Uwe Schramm, general manager of the A-Rosa Resort Kitzbühel said: "We are happy to have been the hosts of the first annual World Ski Awards ever. Welcoming the international players of the ski tourism industry in Kitzbühel and celebrating our achievements together is a great honour for us."

"I want to personally congratulate all winners from so many different places of the world such as Australia, Japan, Canada, Finland an the Unites States and many more, who all came to Kitzbühel, an incredible location to experience a charismatic mix of endearing tradition and glamorous cosmopolitan atmosphere."

"Winning an award as 'Austria's Best Ski Hotel' ourselves was definitely the cherry topping of this thrilling evening."

For more information visit worldskiawards.com.

World Ski Awards – Country Winners 2013

About World Ski Awards

Launched in 2012, World Ski Awards aims to drive up standards within the ski industry by rewarding the organisations that are leaders in their field.

Votes were cast by professionals working within the ski industry – senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents and media - and by the public (ski tourism consumers). Votes were submitted online on the World Ski Awards website.

Winners are announced at the annual World Ski Awards Gala Ceremony.

World Ski Awards is the sister organisation of World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary as "the Oscars of the travel industry".

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