VAL THORENS NAMED THE WORLD’S BEST SKI RESORT FOR 2026

Val Thorens, located in the French Alps, has strengthened its position as a leading winter tourism destination after winning the World’s Best Ski Resort title for the 11th time at the 2026 World Ski Awards. This year’s awards also highlighted Switzerland’s strong performance in the ski hotel, chalet and freestyle resort categories.

Val Thorens leads the 2026 global ski resort rankings

According to the 2026 World Ski Awards results reported by Euronews on 11 November 2026, Val Thorens in France has once again been named the World’s Best Ski Resort. This marks the 11th time the destination has received the prestigious title.

Deer Valley Resort in the United States came in second, while Austria’s Kitzbühel ranked third. All three resorts also received the leading national awards in their respective countries.

The World Ski Awards is an annual event recognising outstanding destinations and businesses in the ski tourism industry. Winners are selected through votes cast by industry professionals and the public.

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Val Thorens – a leading destination in the French Alps

Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,300 metres, Val Thorens is recognised as the highest ski resort in Europe. It is part of the Les 3 Vallées ski area, a network connecting several well-known resorts, including Courchevel and Méribel.

The wider ski area offers approximately 600 kilometres of ski slopes, giving visitors a variety of options for winter sports and mountain experiences. Its extensive network is one of the key attractions of Les 3 Vallées for travellers who enjoy snow-based activities.

Beyond skiing, Val Thorens has also received recognition for its accommodation offering. Pashmina Le Refuge, known for its direct access to the ski slopes, won the World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel award in 2026.

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Switzerland stands out in ski hotel and chalet categories

While France secured the top ski resort title, Switzerland emerged as a major winner across several accommodation categories at the 2026 World Ski Awards.

W Verbier received the World’s Best Ski Hotel award. Meanwhile, Grand Hotel Belvedere in the car-free village of Wengen was named the World’s Best New Ski Hotel. The property is housed in a restored building dating back to 1912.

In the chalet category, Switzerland’s Chalet Zermatt Peak won the World’s Best Ski Chalet title. The country also secured the World’s Best New Ski Chalet award with Chez Madeleine.

These results highlight Switzerland’s competitiveness in the winter hospitality market, particularly in accommodation designed around mountain and snow experiences.

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LAAX and Ski Dubai make their mark in specialist categories

The 2026 World Ski Awards also recognised destinations beyond traditional mountain ski resorts.

LAAX in Switzerland was named the World’s Best Freestyle Resort, ahead of nominees from France and Canada. The resort is also home to rocksresort, which received the World’s Best Green Ski Hotel award.

Meanwhile, Ski Dubai in the United Arab Emirates won the World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort title. The result demonstrates that winter sports experiences are not limited to cold mountain regions, as indoor facilities have also become part of the international winter tourism market.

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World Ski Awards 2026 highlights the appeal of winter tourism

The 2026 World Ski Awards results reflect the diversity of the winter tourism market, from high-altitude mountain resorts and specialist hotels to indoor skiing facilities.

With its 11th title, Val Thorens continues to strengthen its reputation as one of France’s leading winter destinations. Meanwhile, the awards received by Switzerland, Austria, the United States and the United Arab Emirates demonstrate the variety of experiences available to winter travellers.

For visitors planning a winter trip to Europe, the destinations recognised at the 2026 World Ski Awards can provide useful inspiration when researching ski resorts, accommodation options and snow-based activities.

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