Established in 2013, the World Ski Awards is an international awards program that recognizes outstanding facilities and services in the global ski tourism industry. Winners are selected through online voting by industry professionals and the general public, targeting ski resorts and hotels worldwide. With
diverse categories including "World's Best Ski Resort" and "Best Ski Resort" awards by country, the World Ski Awards have become a key indicator of success in the global ski tourism industry.
This year, Appi Kogen Ski Resort and ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort won awards in two categories of the World Ski Awards: "Japan's Best Ski Resort" and "Japan's Best Ski Hotel." This simultaneous win in both the ski resort and ski hotel categories is a first for a ski resort on Honshu Island.
Appi Kogen Ski Resort received the "Japan's Best Ski Resort" award for the third time, following wins in 2022 and 2023, making it the first time in three years. Meanwhile, ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort received the "Japan's Best Ski Hotel" award for the first time.
Following the awards in these two categories, Ms. Susanna Wong, Representative Director of Iwate Hotel & Resort Co., Ltd., provided the following comment:
We are deeply honored that Appi Kogen Ski Resort has been awarded "Best Ski Resort in Japan" and ANA InterContinental Hotel Appi Kogen Resort has been awarded "Best Ski Hotel in Japan" at the World Ski Awards 2026, the most prestigious awards in the global ski tourism industry.
This double award, the first of its kind on Honshu, is thanks to the warm patronage of our customers who love and visit Appi Kogen on a regular basis, and to the tremendous efforts of all the related businesses that support the resort, for which we express our deepest gratitude.
Furthermore, for all of our staff who have worked with passion every day to aim for the world's highest level of service, this award, along with being selected as a "Michelin-starred hotel" for the third consecutive year, is a great joy and an encouragement that could not be more appreciated.
Appi Kogen will continue to cherish its irreplaceable ties with the local community above all else, and will continue to share the charm of Iwate and Tohoku with the world. Furthermore, we will continue to strive to provide all our guests, not only from within the prefecture and across Japan, but from all over the world, with the most unforgettable and memorable winter resort experience.
Susanna Wong, Representative Director,
Iwate Hotel & Resort Co., Ltd.
Information
Appi Kogen Ski Resort,
117 Appi Kogen, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture 028-7306, Japan
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