Rusutsu has once again taken the double at the World Ski Awards, notching up titles for Japan’s best ski resort and ski hotel for the second year running – the latter awarded to The Westin Rusutsu Resort. In doing so, it pipped 4-time winner Niseko United and Japan’s largest ski resort, Hakuba Valley.

It was a changing of the guard in Japan’s Ski Boutique Hotel category, as Ki Niseko toppled Vale Niseko – a 4-time winner in the all important World category.

Rounding out the list of Japanese winners was Hakuchozan, which was named Japan’s best ski chalet in a strong category that featured former winner Sekka Kan and the magazine-worthy One Happo (which we’ve included in our Ski Asia bucket list).

YongPyong took out the top spot as South Korea’s best resort, regaining the title after losing it briefly to Vivaldi Park in 2017. Vanke Lake Songhua Resort was named China’s best.

The World Ski Awards have been running since 2013 and are held in Kitzbuehel each year, attracting the industry’s top businesses and personnel from the snowiest corners of world. Winners are decided by a vote that is open to ski industry professionals and members of the public.

2018 World Ski Awards Results (Asia)

JAPAN

Japan’s Best Ski Resort: Rusutsu Resort
Japan’s Best Ski Hotel: The Westin Rusutsu Resort
Japan’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel: Ki Niseko
Japan’s Best Ski Chalet: Hakuchozan

SOUTH KOREA

South Korea’s Best Ski Resort: Yongpyong
South Korea’s Best Ski Hotel: InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort

CHINA

China’s Best Ski Resort: Vanke Lake Songhua Resort

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