Well the ski hill might not be open but we are still celebrating the fact that we live and play in the best ski resort in Japan.
That’s right, this time last week at the World Ski Awards Gala Ceremony in Kitzbühel, Austria, Niseko United was proclaimed Japan’s Best Ski Resort, The Vale Niseko was awarded Japan’s Best Ski Chalet, and The Hilton Niseko Village took out the prize for Japan’s Best Ski Hotel.
Of course, we already knew that we lived in the world’s powder capital of awesomeness, but to have it made official was very nice indeed.
The World Ski Awards is the sister event of the World Travel Awards, also known as ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’, so it was an incredible honour to have so many representatives of Niseko up on the platform at the extravagant awards ceremony.
Industry professionals and high-end ski tourism consumers cast their votes towards the most outstanding players in the ski tourism industry, and Niseko came up roses, winning in each of its nominated categories.
Niseko United is crowned Japan’s Best Ski Resort!
The gala awards ceremony was set amongst a three day itinerary at the ritzy A-ROSA Hotel in Kitzbühel, a small medieval town in Tyrol . This charming alpine community was the perfect setting for the ski tourism elite to enjoy a program that included a village walking tour, some early-season skiing, a choice of decadent spa treatments, and of course, a rocking after party.
The World Ski Awards has some very strong backing, with big names such as Swarvoski, Audi, Pan Pacific and Bergbahn sponsoring the program. Although it was no surprise to me that Niseko cleaned up, I think this is a great way to remind the world of just how good we’ve got it here.
With another incredible season ahead, I am pretty confident the world will realise how much we deserve this prestigious triple crown as soon as they set foot – or board – on our powdery slopes.