International Ski Area Test Awards Take Place

The ski area test team, headed by Klaus Hönigsberger, was also out and about in this somewhat difficult winter season in the Alpine region to test and evaluate the participating ski areas according to the tried and tested, comprehensive ski area test categories. The results were announced in Rattenberg in Tyrol on May 28th. The award ceremony for the winners of the 2020/21 winter season took place in the beautiful ambience of the Kisslinger Kristall-Glas showrooms.

Numerous guests from the cable car and tourism industry, including the Deputy Governor of Tyrol Josef Geisler, chairman of the Austrian cable car association Franz Hörl and former Grand Councilor Leo Jeker accepted the invitation from the President of the Ski Area Test, Klaus Hönigsberger, and followed the 26th Winter Awards with excitement -Awards and seal of approval from the International Ski Area Test. On the occasion of the event, the award ceremony was held in several small groups throughout the day, of course with the best hygiene and safety precautions.

KitzSki - the premium ski area was once again able to take overall victory in the ski area test: "Ski area test winner 8 times gold". The "International Piste Quality Seal Triplegold" was awarded for a further three years. In the ski area, snow sports enthusiasts will find perfectly groomed slopes with all the necessary safety standards. Further awards such as the “Snowmaking Trophy Gold”, “Marketing Trophy Triplegold” and the “Pistenfahrertrophy Gold” went to the successful cable car company. The "COVID-19 Safety Trophy" was awarded for the first time this season, in this category the safety measures in the ski areas are checked and evaluated. KitzSki was able to take home this new gold award. The board member Walter Astl received a special award: he received the "Lifetime Achievement Award".

In Switzerland, the Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad achieved the overall victory in gold. The "International Gold Seal of Quality" and the "International Seal of Quality for Toboggan Run" have been extended for three years. The "friendliest railway staff" always tried hard, friendly and motivated was rewarded with an award. Furthermore, the cable car company was able to look forward to the “COVID-19 Security Trophy Gold” and “Marketing Trophy Gold”.

CEO Matthias In-Albon received the “Best Cable Car Management” award for the “Switzerland skis - but safe” project. The lobby initiative has sent a clear signal that winter sports must take place. Planning security for the destinations and for the tourists was created and communicated, the winter sports locations were prepared. The campaign triggered a veritable avalanche of reactions at the highest political level. Italy and Germany were mightily angry. They wanted just the opposite. This campaign made European politics and paved the way to open ski areas in Switzerland. 

The new Eggli cable car was awarded the “Architectural Trophy Gold”. The 10-seater gondola in the unusual Porsche design was opened last winter. The Eggli-Bahn offers unique ride comfort and the mountain and valley stations impress with their modern and alpine appearance. For this, the Reichenbach architectural office also received the “Architectural Trophy Gold”. The new Eggli cable car was awarded the “Architectural Trophy Gold”. The 10-seater gondola in the unusual Porsche design was opened last winter. The Eggli-Bahn offers unique ride comfort and the mountain and valley stations impress with their modern and alpine appearance. For this, the Reichenbach architectural office also received the “Architectural Trophy Gold”. The new Eggli cable car was awarded the “Architectural Trophy Gold”. The 10-seater gondola in the unusual Porsche design was opened last winter. The Eggli-Bahn offers unique ride comfort and the mountain and valley stations impress with their modern and alpine appearance. For this, the Reichenbach architectural office also received the “Architectural Trophy Gold”.

The Dachstein West mountain railways were named "Adventure & Family Mountain Gold". An ideal ski area for the whole family, family-friendly slopes with guaranteed snow and the unique high-alpine Dachstein panorama. The awards “COVID-19 Safety Trophy”, “Marketing Trophy Gold” and “Pistenfahrer Trophy Gold” were given to the cable car company. The offer for ski tourers in Russbach is touring heaven and has been awarded the "International Ski Touring Seal of Quality". This seal of approval was awarded for the first time this winter season. The slopes in the ski area have been awarded the "International Gold Seal of Quality". Norbert Schweighofer was able to look forward to the “Operations Manager Trophy” and the Atomic Backland Test Center received the award for the “Sports Shop of the Year 2021”.

Those responsible at Atomic Austria were also delighted to receive the “Sportshop of the year 2021” award; this award was also given to the Atomic Backland Test Center of Bergbahnen Dachstein West.

Another award was presented in Switzerland for the “Adventure & Family Mountain Gold”. The Lenk mountain railways offer a varied range of activities for young and old, ensuring an unforgettable day of skiing. The top slopes with the best safety standards have been awarded the "International Seal of Quality 4 times gold". The successful cable car company was able to score points in other categories and received the “Snowmaking Trophy Gold”, “COVID-19 Safety Trophy”, “Pistenfahrertrophy Gold” and the award for “Best Children's Offers Gold”. Personal awards went to Ruedi Schwab, the “Pistenfahrertrophy” and Beat Rohrbach, the “Pistenrettungstrophy”.

The Swiss ski and snowboarding school in Lenk was tested by the international ski area test and voted “Ski School of the Year 2021”. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced snow sports enthusiast with the desire to refine your technique, the teachers support you in leaving the perfect track in the snow or even practicing acrobatic jumps. The children are also in good hands and simply and selerically discover the joy of skiing in the Kids Village practice area, for which there was the award for the “Best Children's Offers Gold”. The “Gold climber of the year 2021” can be found in Tyrol: the Hohe Salve Hopfgarten-Itter mountain railways, the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental ski association. The new, state-of-the-art Salvista lift opened in the 2020/21 winter season and inspires winter sports enthusiasts. The “Snowmaking Trophy” was awarded in gold and the “COVID-19 Safety Trophy” was also won by the ski area. The motivated and friendly railway staff was rewarded with an award and the "International Piste Seal of Quality" was awarded for three years.

Kommerzialrat Anton Pletzer received a special award: He received the award for “Best Cable Car Management” and Friedl Eberl was named “Cable Car Operator of the Year 2021”.

For the second time in a row, Snow Space Salzburg won the “Event of the Year” award in platinum for the Audi FIS women’s and men’s slalom. Due to the perfect implementation of the new safety regulations in the races as well as in everyday life, the "Covid-19 Security Trophy in Gold" went to the company.

The Swiss ski resort Lauchernalp can now call itself “Adventure Mountain of the Year 2021”. The guest can expect a grandiose natural and landscape backdrop, powder snow and a variety of offers for beginners to professionals - also a special kind of freeride area. The entertainment of the children is also well taken care of, for which there was the award for “Best Children's Offers”. The corona measures are also optimally observed and security is ensured, which was rewarded with the "COVID-19 security trophy". The “friendliest cashier team” received an award, the “International Pistengütesiegel Gold” was awarded for three years and Beni Rieder was able to look forward to the “Pistenleitertrophy”. And managing director Karl Roth was given a special honor, he was rewarded with the award for "Cable Carer of the Year 2021".

The Hochalmlifte Christlum ski area in Tyrol offers fun on the slopes for everyone. Managing director Nina Kofler was pleased about the extension of the “International Piste Quality Seal Double Gold”. The “Snowmaking Trophy” and “COVID-19 Safety Trophy” were also awarded.

The Moosalp Bergbahnen in Switzerland also took part in the anonymous quality check in the 2020/21 winter season and scored points in several categories. Moosalbi's Kinderparadies received the award for “Best Children's Offers”. The “Fun & Action” offer in the popular ski area was awarded gold and the “Employee Trophy” was awarded. Benjamin Bayard received personal awards, he was able to look forward to the “Operations Manager Trophy” and Peter Zenhäusern received the award for the “friendliest railway staff”. The “Piste Rescue Trophy” went to Adrian Werlen and the “International Piste Seal of Approval” was awarded to the ski area for the next three years.

The Mönichkirchen-Mariensee ski area in Lower Austria was able to take home the award for “Ideas & Implementation” and the “COVID-19 Security Trophy”. In addition, the quality of the slopes and the associated safety precautions were once again found to be very good by the ski area test team and awarded the "International Double Gold Seal of Quality".

A special initiative in Lower Austria received the “Special Award”. "Going out safely in Lower Austria" from Niederösterreichische Bergbahnen BeteiligungsgesmbH supports local excursion destinations and communities in being able to offer their guests a safe stay during these challenging times.

The Hotel Restaurant Bürchnerhof received the awards for “Most Popular Mountain Restaurant” and “Friendliest Staff”. The Bürchnerhof team would like to enchant its guests far away from everyday stress with the finest cuisine, tranquility and a picturesque landscape in the middle of the Valais mountains.

A special award was given to the skier Rosina Fankhauser, she received the "Sporttrophy Jugend" from the International Skiareatest - which is always happy to sponsor and support young athletes.

The task force Cobra in Tyrol was happy to receive the “Security Trophy Gold”. And Colonel Markus Widmann of the State Police Directorate Tyrol - State Transport Department was awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Prize".

It was an all-round successful event and the team of the International Ski Area Test and those involved offered the guests and award winners a safe award ceremony in a special setting. Of course, special thanks also go to the partners and sponsors.

The international ski area test is an anonymous quality check with comprehensive test criteria. Over 220 experienced ski area test members from various professional groups and nationalities collect anonymous impressions and evaluate the participating ski resorts with know-how, objectivity, seriousness and experience. The International Ski Area Test has meanwhile developed into a premium brand and serves to continuously improve quality, safety and offers in Alpine tourism.