Ski & Stay at World Ski Awards 2023 Winners

A huge congratulations to all the winners, all thoroughly deserved.

We can help arrange your holiday to any of the resorts and hotels below, just call our friendly team on 01273 224060 and discover our award-winning service for yourself.

Laax (Switzerland)

It's an EIGHTH consecutive win for Laax, home to the famous indoor Freestyle Academy and a number of international ski and snowboard events. In fact, they've won this award every year since it was introduced in 2015!

The Freestyle Academy is Europe's first and largest indoor freestyle training centre, allowing all ages to develop and improve their skills before heading out into the five snow parks featuring over 90 obstacles and the world's largest half pipe. This winter, Laax is hosting the FIS Freeski & Snowboard World Cup in January, a great time to visit if you prefer to watch other skiers & snowboarders throw themselves into the air.

5* Setsu Niseko (Japan)

Not just new to our programme for 2023/24 but also new to the world, we're really excited about the 5* Setsu Niseko, the resort's latest luxury offering.

Unlike many of the luxury hotels in Niseko which lean towards a Western style, the Setsu is distinctly Japanese. Many rooms feature tatami mats and shoji (paper) screens, the shared and private onsen look stunning and there are six restaurants to choose from. The exclusive Sushi Kato INORI and Tempura Araki restaurants and the impressive wine cellar at the Lounge Bar by Park90 are sure to delight the most sophisticated palate.

Setsu Niseko sits in a quiet location on the edge of Hirafu, so you have easy access to the slopes as well as the many bars, restaurants and shops in the lower village. The concierge will take care of every need, including driving you to the slopes and booking you into activities.

4* rocksresort, Laax (Switzerland)

Laax secures yet another win, with the 4* rocksresort achieving the award for sustainability for a third consecutive time and fifth time overall. Their commitment to what they call 'greenstyle' is outstanding and has been a core principle since opening.

A member of Switzerland's Responsible Hotel group, rocksresort has strict targets for energy, water, waste, food & beverage and biodiversity.

Our favourite green features include the focus on local produce, the delightful planted roofs (not always visible in winter!), the wild bee paradise and signature tea made from herbs grown on-site!

Geilo

A fifth consecutive win for Geilo, a genuine all-rounder resort. It's perfect for mixed-ability groups and families with varied terrain, superb tuition and a wide range of non-ski activities.

You'll find laid-back, genuine hospitality from your hotel to the lifts. This outstanding resort also offers a complete winter experience - take a break from the unintimidating, tree-lined slopes to enjoy one of the many activities in the national park, from gentle snowshoeing and horse sleigh rides to more exhilarating tobogganing and snowmobiling.

4*+ Vestlia Resort (Geilo)

It's a debut win for one of our all-time favourite resorts, the 4*+ Vestlia Resort, making Geilo the destination of choice if you want to ski and stay in Norway's Best!

Having stayed there myself in 2023, I can attest to the Vestlia's world-class facilities. The interiors are beautifully furnished, the rooms spacious and comfortable and the food is next level. Especially important as most guests stay half board!

Then there's the brilliant 1,000m² spa, large family pool, children's play area and even a bowling alley!

4* Nermo Hotel (Hafjell)

An eighth consecutive win for the 4* Nermo Hotel in Hafjell. Highly regarded for its personal service and high-quality local food, the hotel has remained in the same family for over 100 years.

Located in a peaceful setting above the ski centre (with a bus to and from the town right outside), when our team last visited they loved the locally sourced food including the signature moose sandwiches and homemade apple cake.

4* Havsdalsgrenda (Geilo)

With an enviable position on the slopes (ski hire and ski school are a short walk/ski away), the Havsdalsgrenda apartments are beautifully furnished and perfect for families and groups. No wonder this is the 11th win in a row!

They're particularly good over the festive period as Santa makes his rounds at Christmas, there's a spectacular fireworks display at New Year and each apartment comes with its own tree and decorations - so the kids don't have to miss out on Christmas Day!

Åre

Scandinavia's largest ski resort has only failed to pick up this award twice in 11 years and 2023 is its third consecutive win.

Described by our customers as "the perfect family resort", you can expect stylish accommodation, quiet slopes for all abilities, a world-class ski school and a buzzing town. It really is the full package.

The Villa at the 5* Copperhill Mountain Lodge (Åre)

There's clearly a trend for the best resorts to feature the best hotels and chalets! 'The Villa' is the Copperhill Mountain Lodge's premium accommodation offering - a stunning private ski lodge split over three floors, sleeping up to 14 guests in seven bedrooms.

You can choose to eat in the main hotel (which itself is a five-time World Ski Awards winner) or for an extra touch of luxury, you can have a private chef standing by.

Lake Louise

Canada's Best Ski Resort 9 years out of 11, you'll struggle to find a more scenic destination than Lake Louise. And the skiing and accommodation are both just as spectacular!

Despite having only a few hotels in the small village (including the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise), the ski area itself is Canada's third largest, with 4,200 acres of unbelievable terrain. There's something for all abilities but it's best for upper intermediate to advanced skiers with a number of breathtaking bowls serving up some seriously steep skiing.

4*+ Pan Pacific Mountainside (Whistler)

Another unbeaten winner, taking home an 11th award, the 4*+ Pan Pacific Mountainside is one of Whistler's premier hotels. The location is unbeatable and the hotel is unique in that it offers self-catering suites with all the facilities of a full-service hotel.

The heated outdoor pool overlooks the Blackcomb Gondola while the ground floor is home to the famous Dubh Linn Irish Pub - one of our favourite après spots.

4* Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel (Whistler)

Retaking the title for the first time since consecutive wins from 2014 to 2018, the 4* Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel is a long-time Ski Safari team favourite, having opened its doors a year after we started sending customers to Whistler!

The Summit Lodge has one of the quietest locations in Whistler Village without compromising on distance to the slopes, restaurants or shops. The spacious rooms all feature fully equipped kitchenettes, soaker bathtubs, balconies and fireplaces and there are lots of extra perks on offer for guests. Leave the kids in the 14 seater cinema room while you unwind in the spa, borrow snowshoes for a scenic walk and enjoy a complimentary shuttle to the lifts if you don't fancy the walk.

Deer Valley

Nothing is too much trouble at the exclusive 'skiers only' resort of Deer Valley in Utah. Many of the impeccable runs are groomed twice a day and the exceptional service even extends to the lifties who are on hand with tissues for runny noses in the queue.

The accommodation, restaurants and bars are all upscale and elegant but the terrain itself is more than worth the award. Immaculate groomers and quiet glades that rarely get tracked out are two of the many highlights. It's no wonder that this is another destination that's on its 11th consecutive win.

5* Skye Niseko

Each year more and more 5* hotels appear in Niseko, but the Skye (now five years old) proves that it's still one of the best with a debut win in the World Ski Awards.

Former runner-up for the World's Best New Ski Hotel, the Skye Niseko has an enviable position right on the slopes and next to the Hirafu Holiday #1 Pair and the Grand Hirafu Gondola.

You're well taken care of here, with a concierge, ski valet, ski rentals, village shuttle and the fantastic Skye Onsen. It's one of the few hotels to even have a private onsen, so you can enjoy this distinctly Japanese tradition as a couple or family.