The Swiss resort of Verbier has won the title of the world’s best ski resort for 2021 at the World Ski Awards this week. Resorts in the Swiss mountains managed to pick up four other global awards at the event.
The resort in Canton Valais has been awarded the title of the best Swiss ski resort in 2019 and 2020, but it was in 2021 that it finally won the global title. The Swiss ski resort broke the winning streak of France’s Val Thorens, which had won the title five years in a row. Verbier was up against 25 different resorts from around the world in this year's competition.
Verbier, which is especially popular with British skiers, was praised for its “nearly 100 lifts and more than 400 kilometres of ski runs for all levels of expertise." Along with the number of runs, the resort also won accolades for its “après-ski,” with the organisers noting that it "welcomes a cosmopolitan clientele of all generations, not to mention unforgettable nightlife."
Speaking to reporters, the Director of the Tourist Office of Verbier, Simon Wiget, thanked all parts of the ski area for "bringing Verbier to life.” Along with the resort itself, the hotel W Verbier won the accolade of best ski hotel in the world.
It was a good night for other Swiss ski resorts, as LAAX won the world's best freestyle resort title, rocksresort won the world's best green ski hotel, and Chalet Zermatt Peak was crowned the world’s best ski chalet. With ski resorts in the Alps experiencing perfect winter conditions, it will be interesting to see how many awards Switzerland earns next year.