# Val Thorens Named World's Best Ski Resort at 2026 World Ski Awards The French Alpine destination secures top honors for the eleventh time in industry voting. - **Source:** [Euronews – Travel](https://www.euronews.com/travel) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/17877222-a1e7-40f1-8488-eb72dc10b033 ## Val Thorens Secures Top Title Val Thorens has officially been named the world’s best ski resort at the 14th annual World Ski Awards. This marks the eleventh time the French Alpine destination has claimed the top spot. The rankings were determined by a combination of votes from ski industry professionals and the general public worldwide. ## Global Podium Rankings The top three positions for 2026 were rounded out by Deer Valley in Utah, United States, and Kitzbühel in Austria. Each of these resorts also secured the national title for their respective countries. These rankings reflect the ongoing competition between major international ski destinations to attract global winter sports enthusiasts annually. ## Altitude and Infrastructure Advantage Situated at an altitude of 2,300 metres, Val Thorens holds the distinction of being Europe’s highest ski resort. It serves as a key component of Les 3 Vallées, an expansive network that links approximately 600 kilometres of pistes. This infrastructure connects it to other prominent resorts including Courchevel and the village of Méribel. ## Swiss Dominance in Hospitality Switzerland performed exceptionally well in the hospitality categories during this year's awards ceremony. W Verbier was recognized as the best ski hotel, while Chalet Zermatt Peak earned the title of world’s best ski chalet. Additionally, the Grand Hotel Belvedere in Wengen was awarded the prize for the best new ski hotel. ## Boutique and Green Recognition Beyond traditional resorts, specific properties received accolades for their unique offerings. Pashmina Le Refuge won the boutique hotel award, providing ski-in and ski-out access to guests. Meanwhile, LAAX in Switzerland secured the title for best freestyle resort, and its rocksresort was honored as the world’s best green ski hotel for 2026. ## Indoor Skiing Developments The awards also highlighted the growing sector of indoor winter sports facilities. Ski Dubai was named the world’s best indoor ski resort, surpassing competitors like Qianhai Snow World in Shenzhen, China, and SNØ Oslo in Norway. This category reflects the increasing global investment in climate-controlled environments for year-round skiing and snowboarding activities. ## Selection Process Methodology The World Ski Awards utilize a voting system where industry professionals and the public cast ballots for nominees across various categories. The nominee receiving the highest number of votes in each specific category is declared the winner. This process aims to provide a comprehensive overview of excellence within the global ski tourism industry. ## Broader Industry Implications These awards serve as a benchmark for the ski industry, influencing travel trends for the upcoming winter season. By highlighting top-tier resorts and hotels, the results guide international tourists toward destinations that prioritize infrastructure, sustainability, and guest experience. The consistent success of established resorts underscores the importance of long-term investment in mountain tourism. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/11/whats-the-worlds-best-ski-resort-val-thorens-in-france-takes-the-title-ahead-of-deer-valle — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._