List of the best ski resorts around the world

At the inaugural World Ski Awards held in Kitzbuhel, Austria, Val Thorens ski resort in France (and the largest ski area in the world!) was named the ultimate ski destination.

Other big winners include Canada’s Bighorn in Revelstoke, British Columbia, which took the title of World’s Best Ski Chalet; Aurelio Lech in Austria, named the World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel; and the Ritz-Carlton in Bachelor Gulch in Colorado, which was named the World’s Best Ski Hotel.

Votes were cast by senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents and media professionals in the ski and tourism industry.

With more than 600 km of runs, 99 percent of which is situated above 2,000 meters, Val Thorens in the French Alps is also located at the highest point of the 3 Vallees, offering skiers exceptional views of more than 100 Alpine summits spanning France, Switzerland and Italy.

Ski slopes are literally at skiers’ front doorsteps, while the village includes more than 100 bars and restaurants. Apres-ski activities include bowling and jazz or classical music concerts.

Aside from carving snow, guests can also try paragliding, extreme ice driving, snowmobiling, mountain biking on the slopes, and tobogganing down the longest toboggan run in France.

Here are a few other regional winners from the World Ski Awards:

Andorra’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Vallnord

Argentina’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Cerro Castor

Australia’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Perisher

Austria’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Kitzbühel

Bulgaria’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Bansko

Canada’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Lake Louise

Chile’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Portillo

Finland’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Ruka

France’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Val Thorens

Germany’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Italy’s Best Ski Resort 2013: Cortina d’Ampezzo