World Ski Awards 2014 Yearbook by World Travel Awards

“CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN SKI TOURISM”

The Oscars of Ski 2014 Yearbook

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The Oscars of Ski

Welcome to the Oscars of Ski and the 2014 World Ski Awards Yearbook. The last 12 months have been an exhilarating journey since the first World Ski Awards Gala Ceremony was staged in the legendary home of alpine skiing, Kitzbühel! The World Ski Awards was developed in reaction to overwhelming demand from the ski industry for a programme that was fair and transparent; a programme with a mission to serve as the definitive benchmark of excellence, and to help to foster a new era of development and growth within ski tourism. The reaction to our inaugural event was vindication of this vision. Hundreds of thousands of travel professionals and skiers across the globe voted for their favourite resorts, chalets and hotels, whilst the audience who gathered for the unveiling of the inaugural winners served as a “who’s who” in ski hospitality. 2014 has seen the World Ski Awards positioning as the only global awards programme to celebrate the pinnacle of the winter sports hospitality industry firmly cemented and this year’s World Ski Awards Gala Ceremony will undoubtedly be the ski tourism event of the year!

Sion Rapson Managing Director World Ski Awards

Over the course of the 16-week voting window, a record 988,500 audited votes were cast from 127 different nations, reflecting a staggering 31% year-on-year

growth. There can be no doubt that this year’s Ski Oscar winners are truly deserving of their achievements. There are no hidden fees within the World Ski Awards, honours cannot be influenced and we are stringently transparent. The winner is quite simply the finalist with the most global votes and the sheer quantity of votes does more than ratify the worthiness. We are sure that the 2014 Ski Oscar winners will in turn serve to drive up standards within the ski industry by acting as examples of excellence and by together raising the collective benchmark. Of course none of this would be possible without the generous support of our Partners and Supporters. In particular, we extend a heartfelt “thank you” to our fabulous Host Hotel, A-ROSA Kitzbühel, our Premier Partners, Audi, Bergbahn Kitzbühel, Demac Lenko, iSKI, Kitzbühel Tourismus, Leitner Ropeways and Prinoth and our Supporting Partners, Rass & Dorner, Riedel, Sportalm and Swarovski. I hope that the World Ski Awards continues its journey as a power of good to this fabulous industry of ours: a ski tourism industry which gives employment, prosperity and enjoyment to so many people in all corners of the world.

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

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The Oscars of Ski

Welcome to Kitzbühel Situated at the foot of the Hahnenkamm (1,712 metres), Kitzbühel is one of the principal winter sports centres in Austria. With 148 km of pistes, it is also one of the largest ski areas in Austria, In summer, 120 km of mountain bike tracks and over 500 km of walking trails are waiting to be explored. In addition, Kitzbühel’s exclusive boutiques and vibrant nightlife attract plenty of people all year round. The A-ROSA Kitzbühel is nestled among the Tyrolean mountains against a magnificent Alpine backdrop. The view of the famous picturesque panorama with the Hahnenkamm peak and the steep slopes, is sure to take your breath away. Whether you love action or are seeking for relaxation, the most legendary town for sports in the Alps with its chic flair offers endless opportunities for everyone all year round. If you value the luxury of moments of peace, you will find this destination a hideaway of incomparable beauty and a true heaven of inspiration. It is our aim to satisfy your every wish. Delight in the elegant architecture, dedicated and warmhearted service and the passion for that extra special touch ensure you’ll experience a holiday that makes you want to return – we are very much looking forward to welcoming you at the A-ROSA Kitzbühel! Uwe Schramm General Manager A-ROSA Kitzbühel

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

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Following the successful premiere of the World Ski Awards in 2013, the Kitzbühel Tourism Board was deeply honoured to accept the invitation to host the second World Ski Awards from 21st-23rd November 2014. Last year, playing host to the spearheads of the international tourism industry, and then, on top of that, winning the award for, “Austria’s Best Ski Resort“, made all of us in Kitzbühel very proud, and we cannot wait to welcome this prestigious and important event back to Kitzbühel in 2014. Kitzbühel’s attitude, “Home of skiing is home of the World Ski Awards”, as well as its slogan, “the legendary City of Sports in the Alps”, fits the World Ski Awards perfectly. Kitzbühel is already known as, being the home of many legends, having produced a number of winners and sporting heroes, year after year. This heritage is one of the reasons why Kitzbühel is the perfect stage for hosting sporting events and also the place for making history. Kitzbühel knows only too well that a strong brand is supported by excellence, with the best example of this being the honour of being chosen to host the World Ski Awards for a second time. To a successful reunion in Kitzbühel! Gerhard Walter Director Kitzbühel Tourism

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

Kitzbuehel „The legendary City of Sports in the Alps“. The home of skiing is the home of the World Ski Awards from 21-23 November 2014 in Kitzbuehel.

www.kitzbuehel.com Foto: Medialounge ÂŠ Gams-Logo-Design: Alfons Walde 1933 / VBK Wien

INAUGURAL WORLD SKI AWARDS PROVES A PHENOMENAL SUCCESS

Dr Klaus Winkler, mayor of Kitzbühel, picks up the World Ski Award for Austria’s Best Ski Resort at the inaugural World Ski Awards

World Ski Awards hosted its inaugural Gala Ceremony here at A-ROSA Kitzbühel last year, with 200 handpicked industry leaders in attendance to see who would claim the top prizes. Taking place over the weekend of November 15th-17th in this legendary winter sports destination, guests took 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 for the first time. Ahead of the 2014 event we here look back at the glittering evening and remember some of the many successes that night.

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

Guests prepare for the presentations at the World Ski Awards

The team from Val Thorens, France, celebrate at the World Ski Awards after being recognised as the World’s Best Ski Resort by voters

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Audi played a major role in making in the 2013 World Ski Awards a success

Sion Rapson, managing director of World Ski Awards, welcomes industry leaders to the event at A-ROSA Kitzb端hel

Yuki Mori, director of Ryokan Sakaya, chats with Michael Horn, the voice of the Hannenkamm, during the Gala Ceremony

World Ski Awards gave Kitzb端hel a chance to show of the best of Austrian heritage

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

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Signe Reisch, president of Kitzbühel Tourism, centre left, celebrates with Chris Frost, vice president, World Travel Awards, at the 2013 event

Axel Pfefferkorn, general manager, Aurelio Lech, claims the trophy for Austria’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel

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Robert Simpson, general manger, Adara Hotel, takes the prize for Canada’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel

Uwe Schramm, general manager at A-ROSA Kitzbühel addresses the industry audience during the event

Chris Kirkland, development executive, Bighorn, Revelstoke, collects the trophy for World’s Best Ski Chalet

Stefano Illing, president, Cortina d’Ampezzo, centre, celebrates with World Travel Awards vice president Chris Frost, after picking up the trophy for Italy’s Best Ski Resort

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

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World Ski Awards interview:

DR. JOSEF BURGER Chief Executive Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel

Dr. Josef Burger, chief executive of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel, was recognised for his “Outstanding Services to Ski Tourism” during the inaugural World Ski Awards in 2013. As the event returns to A-ROSA Kitzbühel for the 2014 Gala Ceremony, World Ski Awards catches up with him to see what the award meant and how it has helped the town of Kitzbühel. World Ski Awards: Thank you for taking the time out to speak to us Dr. Burger. Many people will remember you were recognised by the World Ski Awards Academy last year for your “Outstanding Services to Ski Tourism”; can you tell us how it felt to pick up that prized trophy? Dr. Josef Burger: I was flattered, I was overwhelmed, it was a special honour and a great privilege that this outstanding award was bestowed on me. I received this award with the greatest of modesty because I knew that so many people have contributed to and have supported me in this achievement, I couldn’t have done it on my own. In this context I extended my deep gratitude to my family who have shown a lot of patience and stood behind me.

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Particularly, I thank all the many partners and customers that entrusted their confidence in me and I also extended my gratitude to the many dear working colleagues that have accompanied me in my professional career and to each and everyone that has shared their kind cooperation with me. All in all, I was extremely happy for Kitzbühel because Kitzbühel enabled me to pick up this prized trophy and I dedicate this award with great pleasure to the city of Kitzbühel. WSA: Do you feel the World Ski Awards has had a positive impact on the industry in Kitzbühel? JB: Kitzbühel is a very popular host city for impressive international events. This coming winter Kitzbühel celebrates the

75th anniversary of the Hahnenkamm Race, one of the most spectacular World Cup Races around the globe. This summer Kitzbühel organised its international tennis tournament on the ATP level for the 70th year in a row and also welcomed international athletes to the European Triathlon Championship. Kitzbühel is also a very popular venue for international conventions and incentives supported by easy and comfortable access by road, train as well as air. The World Ski Awards had a very positive impact on the industry in Kitzbühel. The World Ski Awards not only stimulates tourist demand at the start of the winter season, it also sharpens the positioning and image of Kitzbühel as one of the leading winter sport resorts in the Alps and also, on a worldwide basis, it forms

an ideal platform for fruitful exchanges between international experts in the global ski industry. WSA: What are you ambitions for the 2014 event? JB: After the great success of the World Ski Awards in 2013 I am hopeful and confident that the 2014 event will be attended by an ever growing number of friends and experts from all over the world. I do hope that the international exchanges on all levels and subjects will be intensified and experiences on best practise in many fields will be shared, in order to further increase service levels in all aspects of our industry. Finally, I wish that all attendees enjoy their stay in Kitzbühel and will remember Kitzbühel as a very charming and outstanding winter sports resort.

As chief executive of Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel I feel very privileged that our company has been selected as a nominee to run for the award of World’s Best Ski Resort Company 2014 together with six other highly reputed international resort companies. Although being a nominee for this high award is a great honour for our company, of course, my ambition is to climb up the ranking as high as possible. WSA: How has the ski sector in Kitzbühel developed over the past 12 months? Are there any investments or changes you would like to share with us ahead of the 2014 World Ski Awards Gala Ceremony? JB: Despite very challenging weather conditions in our part of the world Kitzbühel outperformed the market and has achieved significant gains in market share. Whereas some parts in

the European Alps suffered a decline in tourist demand, tourist nights were up by two per cent in Kitzbühel in the last winter season. Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel can report record levels in operating revenue for the fifth year running, thereby increasing revenues twice as fast as the Austrian market. The basis for this very healthy and strong development is a dynamic quality offensive with investments exceeding more than €200 million during the course of the last ten years. The consequent drive for quality leadership continued in 2014 with investments close to €20 million. The main focus was laid on the further stepping up of our snow making capabilities, increasing comfort standards on the slopes as well as investing in the Bichlalm chair lift and introducing a high efficient conveyor belt on the Hahnenkamm.

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

A-ROSA Kitzbühel

Panoramic location in the midst of the mountains

In December 2005, a new Ski and wellness resort opened at one of the most glamorous Tyrolean holiday locations. The A-ROSA Kitzbühel is amongst Scharmützelsee, Travemünde and Sylt - the fourth resort of the A-ROSA group and the first in Austria: a stylish meeting place in the Alps for discerning visitors from all around the world. The A-ROSA Kitzbühel has often been awarded with glamorous prizes and rewards, for instance the established World Travel Awards as “Austria’s Leading Lifestyle Resort” in 2014 or the prestigious World Ski Awards as “Austria’s Best Ski Hotel” in 2013. All images copyright of A-ROSA Kitzbühel

The A-ROSA – built in the style of a Tyrolean castle – thrones on the slopes of the majestic Alpine mountain scenery on the sunny side of Kitzbühel, not far from the “Wilder Kaiser”.

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Incorporated into Austria’s most venerable Ski club, the resort offers spectacular views of the world’s most famous ski racing slope, the “Streif ”. The 115 bedrooms and 36 suites are spread out over four adjoining buildings which unite the fairy-tale appearance of a historical Austrian mansion with stylish modern elements. The rooms, which range in size from 28 to 120 square metres, are furnished in the traditional Tyrolean style, but feature modern fittings in cosy, warm colours. Skiing, horse back riding, fitness, mountain biking, hiking and of course enjoying the Spa facilities or dining in the resort’s three restaurants plus a wide choice of diverse entertainment programs like a variety of activities or live-music in the evening make the A-ROSA resort the ideal place for an unforgettable holiday at any time of the year.

Personal hosts provide the feeling of an individually tailored holiday with special service: For the entire duration of one’s stay, the A-ROSA hosts are happy to take care of all needs and wishes in order to make every guest’s stay a truly unforgettable holiday experience.

SPA-ROSA: TOTAL WELLBEING AND INDIVIDUAL SPA EXPERIENCES The wellness area at the A-ROSA Kitzbühel is a haven of relaxation. It is very generous in size with 3,000 square metres and includes seven saunas, a Hamam steam bath, Rasul, an ice grotto, a fully-equipped gym, one yoga room, 16 treatment rooms, an indoor and an outdoor pool are which is heated all year. The SPA-ROSA offers various treatments from different countries and cultures, including Hamam, Asian and Hawaiian massages, facial and body beauty treatments with Caribbean oils and Japanese silk extracts. For a truly individual SPA experience, guests can book the 75 square metres Private SPASuite.

CULINARY DELIGHTS AT A-ROSA The heart of the resort is the “Market Place” on the third floor featuring an attractive bar, a grand piano with a large open fireplace. The bar spreads out onto a large terrace which overlooks the “Wilder Kaiser” on one hand and the “Hahnenkamm” with the worldfamous “Streif ” slope on the other hand. From the Market Place guests have direct access to the SPA, to their rooms or stop to have a chat with the hosts or other guests. The range of the culinary offer at the A-ROSA Kitzbühel is extensive and diverse and the staff is happy to spoil every guest with passionate and warm hearted service at the three different restaurants.

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

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Guest Editorial

Breaking Travel News spotlight on:

EUROPE

With the ski season just beginning in Europe, World Ski Awards here brings guests of our 2014 Gala Ceremony the latest headlines from some of our previous winners.

Val Thorens - voted World’s Best Ski Resort in 2013 World Ski Awards - confirmed earlier this year it will welcome two new ski schools in 2014, allowing holidaymakers to capture all the grandeur of the mountains. First a new organisation, L’Office de la Montagne, will become a onestop-shop catering to skiers who enjoy exploring. Specialist off-piste ski instructors and high mountain guides will guarantee the very best itineraries and teaching workshops

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to educate customers about the mountain environment, while offering personalised photo and video reports help them improve. At the same time Évolution 2, the legendary adventure brand, is setting up in the Les Trois Vallées, so naturally chose Val Thorens as its base camp. Winners of several awards in their 25 year history, Evolution 2 Ski Schools have become some of the most respected organisations in the French

Alps. Offering a personal approach to learning, the schools work with small groups and multi-lingual instructors to allow real progression. Unprecedented thrills. Demand the impossible – they’ll deliver! Finally, a new and unforgettable mountain experience will go on sale, organised in collaboration with the Dynafit brand. At 17:00 each day, once the ski lifts have closed, guests can set off on a 100 per cent natural climb using

skis and sealskins, accompanied by resort pioneers or local celebrities. Climb for just under an hour while enjoying anecdotes about the resort, and then be rewarded by a cup of mulled wine and a bowl of French onion soup served at the Chalet de la Marine, before returning to the resort at nightfall. In Sweden it was recently decided that Åre will host yet another Alpine World Ski Championships in 2019. When the decision was taken to host the event at the resort, votes Sweden’s Best Ski Resort by World Ski Awards in 2013, work immediately began to develop the arena and ski system, with several investments being planned and implemented for the coming 2014/2015 winter season. As

part of the plans Duved, which will be the official training arena before and during the World Championships, will see its descents widened, while electric lighting will be installed all the way from Linbanan’s mountain station down to the Valley Station. More and better snow cannon systems will also be installed on the higher slopes and in the Hamreliften lift track. Copperhill Mountain Lodge, considered Sweden’s Best Ski Hotel by World Ski Awards in 2013, also recently revealed it will offer skiers a digital detox for the 2014/15 season. The hotel offers guests a chance to drop off their smartphones, tablet computers and laptops at the front desk for part of or the duration of their stay. The possessions are locked up in the hotel safe, and if the detox

gets very challenging, the staff will provide classic entertainment such as books and board games. Behind the idea lies the belief that the experience of the hotel as well as the surroundings and travel company, will be greatly enhanced if every day habits are challenged and broken. Guests will also benefit from improved transportation this year, with an increased number of transfer departures between Åre and international Vaernes Airport in Trondheim, Norway. Also improved is the airport transfer to and from Östersund Airport and the hotel. The ski system and Åre are well underway preparing for the World Championships in 2019, and this season skiers will see an improvement of transportation on skis between Åre Björnen and central Åre.

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

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Guest Editorial

Breaking Travel News spotlight on:

KITZBÜHEL

Kitzbühel, host to the World Ski Awards, is the most legendary sports destination in the Alps; a town that effortlessly combines tradition with sophistication.

The celebrated Hahnenkamm, its long sporting tradition, and pioneering ventures into Alpine Ski and winter sports have all contributed to Kitzbühel’s worldwide reputation. Today the town remains a place of contrasts, where rustic Tyrolean guesthouses rub shoulders with international designer boutiques.

International events like the Snow Polo World Cup and, of course, World Ski Awards, multi-award-winning restaurants serving up creative cuisine, and a state-of-the-art conference centre all show how Kitzbühel manages to move with the times while staying true to its roots.

Visitors can experience Kitzbühel in many ways, from the alleyways in the medieval old town and the breathtaking pistes to the town’s elegant hotels and scenic hiking trails. Tyrol’s most sophisticated resort attracts visitors from all over the world, including celebrities, with its traditional character combined with modern flair.

Kitzbühel has been writing skiing history for 120 years, with the town boasting the ideal location and climate. In the long-established ski region around the Kitzbüheler Horn, the Nordstau weather effect ensures virtually guaranteed snow from December to April. Thanks to the grass cover up to the summits, skiing is possible even with small amounts of snow. There are also 820 snow cannons

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SKI HISTORY

to create the perfect conditions for winter sports. And even if you don’t come to Kitzbühel to ski, you’ll find plenty to do with winter hiking, snowshoe walks, and horse-drawn carriage rides, or simply stroll around the picturesque town centre. In addition to sports there are lots of events that make Kitzbühel a fascinating winter destination. For example, the town’s advent celebrations with a traditional Christmas market and the New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Rasmusleiten create a romantic and magical atmosphere. High-profile events like the Hahnenkamm Races and the Valartis Snow Polo World Cup reflect Kitzbühel’s more sophisticated and international side.

OFF PISTE Away from there slopes there is also plenty to do in Kitzbühel. For example, the town loves food. With eleven restaurants and 18 Gault Millau toques, it has the greatest density of these prestigious awards in Tyrol. And when it comes to food, the cosmopolitan town has preserved its sense of authenticity and tradition. From hearty Tyrolean specialities to creative cuisine with international flair, Kitzbühel’s chefs cater for a range of discerning tastes. Kitzbühel is also the ideal destination for those who want to pamper body, mind and soul. With its pure mountain air, alpine climate and breathtaking scenery, it’s the perfect setting for a healthy and relaxing break. From traditional Alpine wellness to modern beauty treatments, Kitzbühel has it all combining luxury and relaxation as no other resort can. The town has a wide selection of sports and wellness hotels offering treatments that range from peat baths to sports massage. As well as the beauty parlours, day spas and yoga studios, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities to boost their energy levels. Kitzbühel’s lakes, waterfalls and ‘places of energy’ are also popular destinations for an active yet tranquil getaway.

MORE INFORMATION For more information on visiting Kitzbühel head over to www.kitzbuehel.com.

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

Europe Finalists 2014

ANDORRA’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Grau Roig Hotel Hotel & Spa Xalet Bringué Palomé Hotel ANDORRA’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Chalet Hostal de Sant Pere Chalet Motxo Els Llacs ANDORRA’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Hotel Himalaia Soldeu Hotel Nordic Hotel Plaza Hotel Princesa Parc Hotel Ski Plaza Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa ANDORRA’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Grandvalira Vallnord

AUSTRIA’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Aurelio Lech Elizabeth Art Hotel Gasthof Post Hotel Madlein Hotel Rasmushof Kitzbühel Hotel Tannenhof Kristiania Lech Schloss Igls St Antoner Hof Thurnher’s Alpenhof

AUSTRIA’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Aurelio Club Chalet Chalet 1597 Chalet Artemis, St Anton Chalet Illimani, St Anton Chalet Maria Schnee, St Anton Chalet-N, Lech Maierl-Alm The Chalet, at 11° East AUSTRIA’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 A-ROSA Kitzbühel Arlberg Hospiz Hotel Hotel Almhof Schneider Hotel Arlberg Hotel Cervosa Hotel Edelweiss & Gurgl, Obergurgl Hotel Salzburgerhof Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol Sporthotel Silvretta Montafon Top Hotel Hochgurgl AUSTRIA’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Innsbruck Ischgl Kitzbühel Lech/Zürs Mayrhofen-Hippach Obergurgl-Hochgurgl Saalbach-Hinterglenn SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental St. Anton

BULGARIA’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Alpin Hotel Boutique Hotel Iva & Elena Club Hotel Yanakiev Hotel Tanne Bankso Ice Angels Hotel Villa Gella

E&OE

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BULGARIA’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Chalet Jora Chalet Mila Villa Gella Villa Stresov BULGARIA’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Festa Winter Palace Hotel Orlovetz Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko Lucky Bankso Premier Luxury Mountain Resort Yastrebets Hotel Wellness & Spa BULGARIA’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Bansko Borovets Pamporovo Vitosha

FINLAND’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Hotel Iso-Syöte Hotel RukaVillage Hotel Ylläshumina Seita Holiday Resort FINLAND’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Fjell Top Cottages Ruka Penthouse Rukan Salonki Villa Vietto FINLAND’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Holiday Club Kuusamon Tropiikki Holiday Club Ylläs Saaga Hotel Pikku-Syöte Rantasipi Rukahovi Hotel Sokos Hotel Levi

FINLAND’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Iso-Syöte Levi Phya Ruka Salla Yllas

FRANCE’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Cheval Blanc Grandes Alpes Private Hotel & Spa Hotel Le K2 Hotel Manali La Portetta Le Chalet Zannier Le Kaila Le Kilimandjaro Le Mélézin FRANCE’S BEST SKI |CHALET 2014 Chalet Bergerie Chalet du Crat, Val d’Isere Chalet Edelweiss, Courchevel 1850 Chalet Gentianes, Courchevel 1850 Chalet Le Petit Chateau, Courchevel Chalet Les Brames, Meribel Chalet Lhotse Val d’Isere Chalet Marco Polo in Val d’Isere Chalet Merlo, Val d’Isere Chalet Montana, Val d’Isere Chalet Rêves de Montagne Chalet Shemshak in Courchevel 1850 Le Chardon Mountain Lodges Lodge SHL

FRANCE’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Altapura Hotel Christiana Hôtel de Charme Les Airelles La Portetta Le Blizzard Le Lana Le Palace des Neiges Les Barmes de L’Ours

GERMANY’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Berchtesgaden Garmisch-Partenkirchen Oberstdorf Spitzingsee-Tegernsee Willingen-Upland

FRANCE’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Chamonix Mont-Blanc Courchevel La Plagne Les Arcs Les Deux Alpes Megeve Meribel Serre Chevalier Tignes Val d’Isere Val Thorens

ITALY’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Hotel Adler Dolomiti Hotel Chalet del Sogno Hotel Col Alto Hotel Hermitage Spa & Beauty Lagació Hotel Mountain Residence Valcastello

GERMANY’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Atlas Posthotel Hotel Sonne Füssen Hotel Staudacherhof Hotel Zugspitze GERMANY’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Chalet Haus Hamburg Country Home Pitzner Country House Staudacherhof GERMANY’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Alpenhof Murnau Hotel Berchtesgaden Resort Das Kranzbach Dorint Sporthotel GarmischPartenkirchen Hotel Exquisit Reindl´s Partenkirchner Hof Schloss Elmau

ITALY’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Chalet la Petitta Chalet lo Miéte San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge ITALY’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Alpin Royal Cristallo Hotel, Cortina D’Ampezzo Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi Grand Hotel Savoia Hotel Alpenpalace Hotel Andreus Hotel Sassongher Miramonti Majestic Grand Hotel ITALY’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Cervinia Cortina d’Ampezzo Courmayeur Madonna di Campiglio Sestriere Val Gardena

NORWAY’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Herangtunet Boutique Hotel Juvet Landscape Hotel Skarsnuten Hotel Storfjord Hotel NORWAY’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Havsdalsgrenda Lyngen Lodge Skjelbreid Poirée NORWAY’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Dr Holms Hotel Fleischer’s Hotel Park Inn Trysil Mountain Resort Quality Spa & Resort Norefjell Radisson Blu Resort Trysil Radisson Blue Lillehammer Hotel Thon Hotel Skeikampen NORWAY’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Geilo Hafjell Hemsedal Hovden Norefjell Trysil

RUSSIA’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Grand Hotel & Spa Rodina Hotel Belarus Peak Hotel

RUSSIA’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Grand Hotel Polyana Mercure Rosa Khutor Park Inn Rosa Khutor Radisson Hotel Rosa Khutor Radisson Lazurnaya Hotel Swissotel Sochi Krasnaya Polyana Tulip Inn Rosa Khutor RUSSIA’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Gornaya Karusel Mount Cheget Mount Elbrus Rosa Khutor Zavjalikha

SLOVENIA’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Gostinsko-nastanitveni objekt Hotel Celjska koča Hotel Raj Šport hotel Pokljuka SLOVENIA’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Chalet Planina Julian Alps Ribniška koča Ruška koča SLOVENIA’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Hotel Arena Hotel Golte Hotel Kanin Hotel Kompas Hotel Planja Ramada Resort Kranjska Gora SLOVENIA’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Cerkno Golte Kranjska Gora Krvavec Mariborsko Pohorje E&OE Rogla Vogel

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

Europe Finalists 2014

SPAIN’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Hotel La Morera Hotel Val de Ruda La Almunia del Valle Meliá Royal Tanau Boutique Hotel SPAIN’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 AC Baqueira Ski Resort HG Alto Aragón Hotel & Spa Aragon Hills Hotel Himàlaia Baqueira Hotel La Pleta Meliá Sol y Nieve Parador de Artíes Val de Neu SPAIN’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Aramón Cerler Aramón Formigal Astún Baqueira-Beret Candanchú La Molina Masela Sierra Nevada

SWEDEN’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Buustamons Fjällgård Hotel Granen Hotell Fjällgården Åre SWEDEN’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Duveds Semesterby Skutan Ski Lodge The Villa - Copperhill Private Lodge SWEDEN’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Copperhill Mountain Lodge Holiday Club Åre Hotel Diplomat Åregården Tott Hotel SWEDEN’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Åre Branäs Funäsfjällen Hemavan Tärnaby Sälen Vemdalen SWITZERLAND’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Backstage Hotel Vernissage Chalet d’Adrien Hotel Firefly Hotel Guarda Golf Hotel Paradies Matterhorn Focus Romantik Hotel Chesa Grischuna The Omnia

SWITZERLAND’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Bella Coola Chalet Chesa Falcun, Klosters Chalet Grace, Zermatt Chalet Maurine Verbier Chalet Seven Chalet Truffe Blanche Chalet Zermatt Peak Chesetta, St Moritz Hidden Dragon Les Anges, Zermatt The Lodge, Verbier Tivoli Lodge, Davos SWITZERLAND’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Badrutt’s Palace Carlton Hotel St Moritz Grand Hotel Zermatterhof Gstaad Palace Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains Mont Cervin Palace Nira Alpina Reffelalp Resort The Alpina Gstaad The Cambrian, Adelboden Tschuggen Grand Hotel SWITZERLAND’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Davos Klosters Engelberg Gstaad LAAX Saas Fee St Moritz Verbier Wengen Zermatt

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WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

Starting above and clockwise: Café 3.440 on Pitztal glacier, Tobogganing in Sellrain, Off-piste skiing in Kitzbühel, St. Anton am Arlberg area, Christmas Market in old town Innsbruck

Austrian Tirol – Heart of the Alps

Tirol / Heart of the Alps

In winter the region of Tirol is Austria’s number 1 wintersport destination. First-timers to seasoned ski veterans will find a resort to suit them with more than 150 ski areas to choose from, including 5 glaciers, which offer skiing from September

throughout June or even all year round (Hintertux) across a total of 3,500 km of superbly groomed slopes.

· Austrian Tirol

· www.tyrol.com

World-famous resorts such as St Anton and Kitzbühel need little introduction, whilst British favourites such as Mayrhofen and Obergurgl continue to appeal year after year. The resorts within the SkiWelt, Austria’s largest skiing area, including Söll, Ellmau and Westendorf are ideal for all abilities and for clocking up the miles. Families are attracted to child-friendly resorts such as Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis or Alpbach, whilst Tirol’s capital Innsbruck is perfect for city skiing, from the Olympic slopes of the Axamer Lizum to glacier skiing on the Stubai.

Tirolean Alpine Winter

In the Tirol tradition meets the future. The cultural heritage is preserved by the locals and from B&Bs to 5-star hotels are run by families. However the infrastructure is state of the art. Over 300 million Euros are invested each year in modern lifts, snowmaking or better wintersport facilities. Come summer the mountains revive with colour and this new found energy sparks a different type of adventure. Walking, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, running, climbing, paragliding – any outdoor adventure sport you can imagine you can find it in the Austrian Tirol.

· www.tyrol.com

Bringing visitors back year after year is the great warmth the region extends to all who visit. The locals are genuinely friendly, food is delicious and unique, accommodation is of high-quality and the resorts exude true mountain village charm. We look forward welcoming you to the Tirol, the Heart of the Alps www.tyrol.com

Tirol / Heart of the Alps

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The Americas

With so much happening as the ski seasons begins in the Americas it can be difficult to know where to begin. Here World Ski Awards brings you just some of the latest headlines from across the region, with all the latest from Deer Valley Resort, Cerro Castor and Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch. Deer Valley Resort, which was last year recognised as the United States’ Best Ski Resort by World Ski Awards, has been making headlines of late, with the announcement it has struck a deal to purchase Solitude Mountain Resort. Under the terms of the deal, Deer Valley will begin operating the resort on May1st next year. “Solitude is an incredible resort and provided a huge opportunity for us to expand our offerings right here in Utah,”

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said Bob Wheaton, president and general manager of Deer Valley Resort. “Solitude is in unique position with their widely varied terrain that attracts both local and destination skiers. We are ecstatic to be able to add the resort to the Deer Valley family.” For the upcoming 2014-15 ski season, Solitude will operate as usual under the leadership of the DeSeelhorst family. To foster the most effective and strategic change over, select Deer Valley staff will

work alongside Solitude staff during the next six months to evaluate resort operations and gain knowledge about the Solitude brand and culture. Deer Valley will then take full ownership of Solitude Mountain Resort in May next year. “The DeSeelhorst family has enjoyed being a part of Solitude’s history for almost 40 years. We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish at the resort and in our mountain community,” said Dave DeSeelhorst, owner and

general manager of Solitude Mountain Resort. “We feel very fortunate for the opportunity to have worked with so many amazing people in our industry and most importantly being able to work with our incredible staff at Solitude over the years. It is exciting to pass on this unique and beautiful resort to one of the best resort operators in the country, Deer Valley.”

ARGENTINA Further south Cerro Castor, recognised as Argentina’s Best Ski Resort last year by World Ski Awards, has also been improving its infrastructure to stay ahead of the pack. Earlier this year the resort inaugurated a new bridge, linking National Highway No. 3 to the slopes. With an eye on keeping the best runs in the world, the resort also added four new snow guns, bringing the total to 17. Cerro Castor has the largest snowmaking system in South America, ensuring it can offer quality snow whatever the weather.

ALPINE WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS This coming February, ski enthusiasts from all over the globe will be beckoned

to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains as Vail and Beaver Creek play host for only the third time ever to the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. The luxurious, skiin, ski-out resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch on Beaver Creek Mountain, which last year took the title of World’s Best Ski Hotel at the World Ski Awards, will be there to greet them. On offer is the opportunity to get in on the action with the ‘Champions of the World Ski Package’. This adventure-filled offer is available from February 2nd-14th, 2015 with rates starting at USD$1,799 per night. The deal includes luxurious overnight accommodations in the resort’s recently renovated guest rooms, as well as two one-day lift tickets valid at Beaver Creek/Vail Mountains and premium ski rentals for two from Gorsuch, a luxury purveyor of ski apparel and fine clothing. There is also a ski escort to the 2015 FIS Alpine Ski Championships. There is more at www.ritzcarlton.com/bachelorgulch.

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Americas Finalists 2014

CANADA'S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Adara Hotel Hotel Quintessence Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre Skoki Lodge Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel Sun Peaks Lodge Sundial Boutique Hotel CANADA'S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Akasha Big Sky Chalet Bighorn, Revelstoke Taluswood - The Heights The Heli Chalet CANADA'S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Four Seasons Resort & Residences Whistler Nita Lake Lodge Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside Post Hotel & Spa Sunshine Mountain Lodge The Fairmont Banff Springs The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise The Fairmont Chateau Whistler The Rimrock Resort Hotel CANADA'S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Banff Norquay Big White Ski Resort Fernie Alpine Resort Red Mountain Resort Sun Peaks Resort Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort The Lake Louise Ski Resort Tremblant Whistler Whitewater Ski Resort

UNITED STATES' BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Amangani Camel's Garden Hotel Goldener Hirsch Inn Rusty Parrot Lodge The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera Washington School House UNITED STATES' BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Casa Nova, Deer Valley Deer Field Estate, Utah Ski Dream Home Top of Mill, Aspen Villa Elisa UNITED STATES' BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole Four Seasons Resort Vail Lake Placid Lodge Montage Deer Valley Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch St Regis Deer Valley Stein Eriksen Lodge The Arrabelle at Vail Square The Little Nell The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa Whiteface Lodge

UNITED STATES' BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Alpine Meadows Alta Aspen Snowmass Beaver Creek Big Ski Resort Canyons Resort Crested Butte Deer Valley Resort Jackson Hole Mammoth Mountain Park City Mountain Resort Snowbird Squaw Valley Steamboat Stowe Sun Valley Telluride Vail

CHILE'S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Hotel Antumalal Hotel Nevados M-I Lodge Mountain Hotel Pirimahuida Hotel CHILE'S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Gran Hotel Termas de Chillan Hotel Portillo Hotel Puerta del Sol Hotel Valle Nevado CHILE'S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Nevados de Chillán Portillo Valle Nevado

ARGENTINA'S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Aldebaran Hotel & Spa Arelauguen Charming Luxury Lodge & Private Spa Correntoso Lake & River Hotel Design Suites Hotel Bariloche El Casco Art Hotel Rio Hermoso Hotel ARGENTINA'S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Llao Llao Hotel & Resort Loi Suites Chapelco Hotel Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa Virgo Hotel & Spa ARGENTINA'S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Batea Mahuida Caviahue Cerro Bayo Cerro Castor Cerro Catedral La Hoya Las Leñas

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Guest Editorial

Breaking Travel News spotlight on:

ASIA The biggest story in the Asian ski market is, of course, preparations for the Winter Olympics, to be held in PyeongChang, South Korea, in 2018. Here World Ski Awards brings you the latest.

As preparations begin a groundbreaking ceremony was recently held to launch the construction of the PyeongChang 2018 ice venues. The ceremony, which was held on the site of the new venues at the Gangneung Sports Complex, was attended by nearly 1,000 people, including key officials and representatives of Gangwon Province, the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee, and Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The construction of the figure skating and short-track skating venue, ice hockey I and II stadiums, as well as the speed skating oval, is scheduled to be completed by October 2016, in order to host test events during the 2016 to 2017 winter season. PyeongChang Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) president Yang-Ho Cho said: “With today’s groundbreaking, all our competition venue preparations are in full swing and I am confident that there is good momentum in our progress. POCOG will continue to work

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closely with the central government and Gangwon Province to deliver an excellent Olympic Winter Games in 2018.” PyeongChang 2018 will have a total of 13 competition venues – four existing, three refurbished and six newly constructed. With the groundbreaking for the speed skating rink, construction work on all 6 new venues is in progress. The five new venues already under construction are expected to be completed by November 2016. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and Republic

of Korea president Park Geun-Hye also recently met at the Blue House in Seoul to discuss the status of preparations for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. The two leaders agreed on even closer cooperation between the Federal Government, the IOC and the Games Organising Committee. President Park gave the IOC President her personal and her government’s assurances to make PyeongChang 2018 a success. It was the second meeting between the pair since the election of president Bach as head of the Olympic Movement in September 2013. “These Games are a unique opportunity for the Republic of Korea to showcase itself to the world - not only

as a new destination for winter sports, but also as a country of high technology and hospitality,” president Bach told President Park. “They should also help to further the international relations of all Koreans.”

NEW HORIZONS PyeongChang is aiming to use the Winter Olympic Games as a catalyst to create long-term legacies that will benefit future generations, under the theme ‘New Horizons’. With a budding youth population and a strong strategic position in Asia, PyeongChang hopes the 2018 Games will enable a legacy of new growth and new potential. Central to this is POCOG’s ‘New Horizons’ vision, which aims to expand winter sports in Asia and transform the local Gangwon province into a new winter sports and tourism destination. “Our vision is very clear: new horizons, developing industries, building a hub of winter sports in Gangwon province,” explains Kim Jin-Sun, President and chief executive of POCOG. “Our Games will also be a Games of culture, environment and peace.”

He continued: “Post-Games use is very important for POCOG. We are developing various legacy plans. Most of the snow venues are privately owned and will be used as resorts and for sports. The indoor venues will be converted into gyms, school gyms, convention centres and leisure centres for the public.” With less than four years to go until the start of the 2018 Winter Games, much of the work to bring PyeongChang’s vision to reality has already begun, with the IOC’s Coordination Commission for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games praising POCOG’s efforts following its recent visit to the host city. “The 2018 Games are on the right track but it is clear that much work remains,” said IOC coordination commission Chair Gunilla Lindberg. “We are confident that POCOG and Korea will deliver great Games for the athletes in 2018.”

MORE INFORMATION For more on the Winter Olympics 2018 take a look at the official website at www. pyeongchang2018.org.

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

Green Leaf Onsen - Niseko Village

JAPANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S POWDER PARADISE Niseko - Hokkaido is made up of several unique resorts, and is the home of deep, powder snow. INCREDIBLE SKIING Niseko is one place on earth where powder is a sure thing! Niseko has the second-highest average snowfall of any resort in the world, averaging 1.5 meters of the white fluffy stuff every year. During the colder months of the year, a

Niseko United, consisting of four ski areas, Niseko Annnupuri Ski Area, Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono, a consortium of four very different resorts, which allow access to the entire mountain on one lift pass and provide convenient bus connections

Resort, giving even more choice. All resorts offer easy and efficient lift access to the ski mountain with 27 chairs and three gondolas, and access to the backcountry of Mt. Annupuri.

MUCH MORE THAN JUST SNOW! Niseko is also well known for its 15 Onsen (Geothermal Hot Springs) that are located across the entire district, many of these bathing facilities are located at the bottoms of the ski slopes, it is a well known fact that soaking in Japans magical onsenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is one of the worlds greatest pleasures and if all of this is not enough to top it all of the Niseko area also offers a large expanse of night skiing as well, so you can keep skiing or boarding into the night as well.

Cultural events bring depth to a vacation in Niseko typical day in Niseko can see you floating your way through waist deep champagne powder, an experience worthy, of a celebration or two.

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around the base of the mountain. In addition to the Niseko United Ski area, visitors to the area can also enjoy unparalleled powder at the Moiwa Ski

GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS GALORE It is important to note that a visit to Niseko is of course about much more than just powder snow, it is also very much about time for reflection,

Niseko United - Hanazono Resort connecting and fulfillment, these are key elements in Japanese culture and UNESCO designated Japanese cuisine. Every dish you enjoy in Japan has an incredible depth and breadth about it and is often a discovery in itself. Getting out and discovering the cuisine of the Niseko area, will bring you one

step closer to connecting with nature and elements of the land,the culture, making the experience of being in Japan, much deeper than you can imagine. The freshest of locally grown ingredients, combined with elements like the fresh spring water, gushing from springs all over the region and limited only by the

Fish is cooked and prepared in many ways in Japan, but the ultimate eating experience is surely raw sushi and sashimi. Another one of Niseko’s culinary institutions has to be Hanayoshi, located in the center of Niseko town. The sushi master places a huge importance on the freshest of ingredients served in a ambient atmosphere, connecting you to the traditions of Japan’s culture, allowing you to reflect and stimulate all of your senses. Top off your Sushi and Soba and experience everything that Niseko offers by visiting a local Ryokan for a dining and hot spring experience that will transfer your body and soul from the deep reaches of powder to the elegance of the Japanese culture and the concepts of seasonality and umami.

View from the peak of Mt.Annupuri

Soba dokoro Rakuichi imagination of a vast variety of chefs, all specialists in their field, are ready and waiting to enthrall you with their gastronomic treats.

To find out more visit www.niseko.ne.jp/en www.nisekotourism.com www.niseko-ta.jp

a wooden structure, hand made by the soba master himself, and only accessible by bridge. This restaurant is essentially a secret restaurant, hidden by mountains of fluffy snow in the forested reaches of the Annupuri district. When it comes to an authentic experience, this is as real as it gets, the “Soba Kaiseki” dinner is nothing short of spectacular, hand made and hand cut soba. All ingredients here are hand selected and carefully cookedto-order. You must be prepared to wait, but the umami-packed offerings are well worth it.

The following are just a few examples of what culinary discoveries can be made in Niseko. Soba Dokoro Rakuichi ranks with the best in the world, set in

JAPAN, HOKKAIDO & NISEKO Niseko as a destination offers experiences that are not only unique to Japan, but unique to Hokkaido and combines the essential elements of a great vacation together seamlessly so you can enjoy both the modern and traditional in a way that is easy to understand and comprehend. Looking for that little bit more, Niseko, should be high on your list for your next winter vacation.

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

. r e d i r e e r F ore gy for m o l o n h c e . tro® t f quattro est quat t o a l e e m h o t H the t with lcome to A6 Avan e i d W u . s A ic w nam The ne riving dy d d n a n precisio

9,6–4,4; km: urban 0 0 1 l/ in 14. mption ined 223–1 Fuel consu /km: comb g in s n o si CO 2 emis

JAPAN’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Aburaya Tousen Hotel Grand Phenix Okushiga Hotel La Niege Higashikan Nozawa Grand Hotel Ryokan Sakaya Shiki Niseko The Vale Niseko JAPAN’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Glasshouse Niseko Konkuriito Morino Lodge One Happo Phoenix One Sekka Kan Suiboku JAPAN’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Akakura Kanko Resort & Spa Hakuba Tokyu Hotel Hilton Niseko Village Naeba Prince Hotel Shiga Kogen Prince Hotel The Green Leaf Niseko Village JAPAN’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Appi Kogen Hakuba Myoko Naeba Ski Resort Niseko United Rusutsu Resort Shiga Kogen

SOUTH KOREA’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort Alpensia Pyeongchang Suites High1 Hotel Hotel Tirol Kangwon Land Hotel SOUTH KOREA’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Alpensia High1 Resort Muju Deukyusan Phoenix Park YongPyong

AUSTRALIA’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Astra Alpine Lodge Denman Hotel & Spa Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel` Peppers Rundells Alpine Lodge Perisher Valley Hotel QT Falls Creek AUSTRALIA’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Blowhard Rockpool Lodge Sequoia Penthouse Thredbo Ski In Ski Out Chalets Ultima Icebreaker AUSTRALIA’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Breathtaker Hotel Pension Grimus Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa Piscis Hotel & Spa

AUSTRALIA’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Falls Creek Mt Buller Mt Hotham Perisher Thredbo

NEW ZEALAND’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 Arrowtown House Boutique Hotel Browns Boutique Hotel Eichardt’s Private Hotel Matakauri NEW ZEALAND’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 Alpine Resort Wanaka Apartments at Cardona Alpine Resort Azur Luxury Lodge Porters Ski Lodge Riverrun Wanaka Villas Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet NEW ZEALAND’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 Crowne Plaza Queenstown Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa Millbrook Resort Peppers Bluewater Resort The Hermitage The Rees Hotel NEW ZEALAND’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 Cardrona Alpine Resort Coronet Peak Mackenzie Winter Mt Hutt Ohau Snow Fields Porters The Remarkables Treble Cone

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WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

Akio Shinya

Keeping powder paradise safe For many of us the outdoors is a place to challenge our bodies to their extremes, set new limits; a place to satisfy that burning desire to be top of our fields. In Niseko, Hokkaido, lives a man who has devoted his life to many of the great outdoorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most extreme challenges, and this man now challenges himself to help others realise their dreams.

Akio Shinya is the chief of the Niseko Avalanche Research Institute, in arguably one of the snowiest places on earth. He works tirelessly throughout the winter providing Avalanche Safety Information to mountain users. In many ski areas in the world data is collated and put out for the public viewing. Shinya San - as he is known to all that come to Niseko - takes the delivery of this information one step further and can be found on top of the

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mountain near the gate, personally making sure that the people venturing out to chase their dreams are reminded to stay safe. Niseko has a long history of skiing on pristine powder and in the 1930â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the area was very popular as a destination for ski touring for people from all over Japan. In 1980, the lifts were extended. Instead of a long hike up the mountain users suddenly had better access to the

mountain, with more people skiing in the back country. As a result there were some very serious accidents on the slopes and the Niseko area became well known in Japan for its extreme avalanche dangers. This brought on a very real threat of the closure of any areas off piste. This is where Shinya San and several devoted friends came together to come up with a solution to reduce the amount of avalanche accidents and to retain back country skiing.

in Niseko over 1000 people go through these gates a day. You may ask what Shinya san gets from doing all of this hard work? It all stems from a kind hearted aspiration to make others happy and to see others in touch with themselves and the wonders of the environment around them. “On the mountain, there are many risks, there are always risks. To avoid risks, you have to think about which route you are going to take, this is largely determined by the prevailing weather conditions,” explains Akio Shinya.

“Above all and probably most paramount is to never think just about yourself, mountains are about much more than just your safety, think about others and their safety and enjoyment as well!” Akio Shinya is undeniably Niseko’s legend, without his guidance, foresight and determination, the ski industry in Niseko today would be very different. Akio Shinya was a key person in the negotiations with the local authorities to retain back country skiing access in the Niseko area and despite the odds and though his great dedication and perseverance, the Niseko Rules were established in 2001, they are designed to retain a sense of freedom are fair yet firm and provide a means to manage the entire mountain a lot more effectively and keep people safe. The gates are opened and closed, depending on snow

drift and prevailing weather conditions, wind direction and other conditions that may affect the face of the mountain. A typical winters morning for Shinya san starts at 5:30 in the morning, calling the ski patrol, collecting data from locally set meteorological equipment and other official weather information sources, to assist him in writing his daily avalanche report (http://niseko.nadare.info/), which is released in both Japanese and English all before 8:00 am. Currently

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

Dubai’s powder paradise

DUBAI-BASED TV BROADCASTER PHIL BLIZZARD REPORTS ON THE POWDER DELIGHTS OF THE FIRST SNOW DOME IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SKI DUBAI. Dubai-based TV broadcaster Phil Blizzard reports on the powder delights of the first snow dome in the Middle East, Ski Dubai. The ski season in Europe and North America last for a few months in winter, yet here in Dubai, where temperatures soar to over 50ºC (122ºF) in the summer months, snow skiing is available throughout the year – in the climatecontrolled Ski Dubai.

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Inside the Mall of the Emirates, adjoining the Kempinski Hotel, and down the road from the iconic Burj Al Arab, you will find Ski Dubai with its real snow ski slopes with runs of unto 400 metres. Over 22,500 square meters are covered with real snow, all yearround, with temperatures maintained at a comfortable -2 to -4 degrees. There are five runs of varying difficulties, including the world’s first indoor black ski run. The slopes have a height of

up to 85 metres, the equivalent of a 25-storey building. Ski Dubai is styled as a mountain resort with Alpine type chalets, including the Avalanche Café and Ice Café within the snow park and in the lobby the St Moritz Café. Whilst the Kempinski Hotel has several distinctive suites, because of their Alpine style, overlooking the slopes, which is also home to 24 penguins.

multi-lingual professional Ski School instructors. The Snow Park, adjoining the slopes, is designed for families and contains an ice-cavern, tobogganing, tubing and bobsled runs. Finally, as Mark Sykes, a long term resident of Dubai told me: “Ski Dubai is great, it means I can keep up practice when I am here in Dubai, so when I hit the slopes of the Alps I am in top form.” Not many ski fans have a facility like this on their door step!

This year Ski Dubai launched its zip line called ‘Snow Bullet’ with tennis superstar and former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki trying out the new facility whilst in Dubai to compete at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The Snow Bullet is a state of the art zip line, 16 metres off the snowcapped grounds, allowing guests to be propelled 150 metres across the breath of Ski Dubai’s hills, while skiers and snowboarders navigate the slopes below. The line combines speed, majestic views and the thrill of soaring above the ground, and allows two persons on simultaneous tracks to compete against each other as they race in sub-zero temperatures.

In March 2014, Ski Dubai hosted the International Interclub Ski Race, an annual race meeting held in Dubai and for the first time ever outside Switzerland. Established by the 100 year-old Corviglia Ski Club in St Moritz, Interclub’s annual meeting has always been held in St Moritz, Switzerland, with the aim of bringing skiers from the finest international clubs to the resort for a week of sport and entertainment. The organisers took the decision to hold the Interclub week of events outside St Moritz for the first time this year, and chose the Emirate of Dubai and Ski Dubai.

To find out more visit www.skidxb.com and www.kempinski.com

Phil Blizzard is a Dubai-based TV & Radio broadcaster who has commentated on many major sporting events and broadcast live from numerous locations around the world – including a glacier in Alaska. He has also fallen on the snow at Ski Dubai whilst recording a radio programme!

However Ski Dubai is not only for ski-ing aficionados as it provides instructions for novices with highly qualified

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

World Finalists 2014

WORLD'S BEST NEW SKI CHALET 2014 Bellacima Lodge Chalet Emilie Chalet Kaila Chalet Mont Blanc Chalet Poudreuse Chalet Quezac Etoiles de Montagne Le Chalet des Franciscains Überhaus WORLD'S BEST NEW SKI HOTEL 2014 Adler Mountain Lodge InterContinental Davos Koh-I Nor Hotel Val Thorens Koharu Resort Hotel and Suites L’Apogée Courchevel Rixos Flüela Davos The Chedi Andermatt W Verbier

WORLD'S BEST SKI RESORT COMPANY 2014 Aspen Snowmass Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel Boyne Resorts Compagnie des Alpes SkiStar Vail Resorts Weisse Arena Gruppe WORLD’S BEST SKI TRAVEL AGENT 2014 Aeroski Reisen Iglu Leo Trippi LUEX Oxford Ski Company Ski Boutique Ski In Luxury Ski Solutions SNO The Luxury Ski Company

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WORLD'S BEST SKI TOUR OPERATOR 2014 Alpine Adventures Bramble Ski CANUSA Club Reisen Stumböck Consensio Crystal Ski Inghams Langley Mogul Ski World Neilson Ski.com Skican SkiJapan.com Skiworld Snowcapped Tours Thomson Ski Travelplan Ski

WORLD’S BEST SKI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 2014 *The winner will be the country-level winner with the most overall votes WORLD’S BEST SKI CHALET 2014 *The winner will be the country-level winner with the most overall votes WORLD’S BEST SKI HOTEL 2014 *The winner will be the country-level winner with the most overall votes WORLD’S BEST SKI RESORT 2014 *The winner will be the country-level winner with the most overall votes

WORLD SKI AWARDS 2014 YEARBOOK

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SOUND LIGHTING MULTIMEDIA STAGING RIGGING INTERIOR DESIGN EXHIBIT DESIGN FULL-SERVICE PRODUCTION Rass & Dorner GmbH • Paß-Thurn-Straße 21 • 6372 Oberndorf / Kitzbühel Tel. +43 (0) 5356 / 666 89 • info@specialevents.at • www.specialevents.at

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARTNERS We wish to express our sincere gratitude to our Partners and Supporters. In particular, we extend a heartfelt “thank you” to our fabulous Host Hotel, A-ROSA Kitzbühel, our Premier Partners, Audi, Bergbahn Kitzbühel, Demac Lenko, iSKI, Kitzbühel Tourismus, Leitner Ropeways and Prinoth and our Supporting Partners, Rass & Dorner, Riedel, Sportalm and Swarovski.

PREMIER PARTNERS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

WWW.WORLDSKIAWARDS.COM

...Asia’s international ski resort

HOK K A IDO T OURISM M A N AGEMEN T ...operator of Niseko’s premier brands

With over 12 years of operations in Niseko we have the connections and experience in Japan and internationally to ensure the success of your Niseko venture

Niseko’s largest portfolio of condominiums and resort homes with over 50,000 guest nights annually

Project consultant and operator for Niseko’s premier boutique hotel opening winter 2014

www.htmniseko.com

The resort’s international ski school operated on behalf of the resort owner, Tokyu Resort Services

e t i r u o v a f r . u s t O r o p s r e t n i w – y hobb Cup. ki World S S I F i d he Au nsor of t o p s e l it ro. he t of quatt e Audi is t m o H e to the Welcom

7,1–5,6; km: urban 0 0 1 l/ in 45. mption ined 164–1 Fuel consu /km: comb g in s n o si CO 2 emis