For the 7th time since 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2023, the most informative customer research study in the Alps was conducted during the 2025/26 winter season. A total of 41,276 winter sports enthusiasts were surveyed directly on-site in 49 ski resorts across the Alps.
Click here and here for the latest results of the Best Ski Resort 2026 survey!
The focus was put on the most important criteria when choosing a destination, as well as guest satisfaction in 17 categories. Further, the value-for-money ratio, loyalty, the net promoter score (NPS), usage of various infrastructures, etc. were also researched. The survey has not been subject to bigger changes since 2012 which allows a comparison over a longer period of time (Trend Analysis).
Since 2012, the study has been supervised by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Kurt Matzler (University of Innsbruck) and has also generated resonance in the field of scientific research. It provided the database for scientific evaluations and publications in leading international scientific journals of the tourism industry.
The next survey will be conducted in the winter season '27/28. The results will be available from September 2028, selected content already from July 2028.
More information about the study, the Best Ski Resort Awards, and our Ski Resort Finder can be found on
www.best-skiresorts.com
Data with maximum informative value!
Conducting direct on-site surveys, whilst labour-intensive, ensures that promoters, critics and the broad middle ground are all reached. In online surveys, it is often the case that there is a disproportionate number of promoters or critics, which distorts the validity of the data! Therefore, when assessing guest satisfaction, it is essential to use data collected ‘on mountain’.
- Realization in 55 TOP ski resorts in the Alps AT | CH | DE | FR | IT
- The survey is conducted by trained mountain management personnel using questionnaires directly in the different resorts
- 800-1000 guests rate on 4 dates in up to 7 languages per area
- Mountain Management Consulting acts independently. The study is conducted independently from the purchase.
- Best Ski Resorts Awards for overall- and category winners
- This study is being conducted in cooperation with the University of Innsbruck.
Currently, there are interviews being conducted in 55 selected ski areas (A/D/CH/I/F) in the Alps. In the future, we can include up to 4 new regions – max. 2 per country – per study. The admission criteria are: a certain size/ prominence/ regional significance, and the achievement of the average customer satisfaction score. For the participation in our 2020 study, the score is 8.05.
Should more participants achieve these criteria, those with the highest satisfaction scores will be chosen. If a new ski destination applies, the survey to calculate the current average customer satisfaction score will take place in the season before the main survey. For Best Ski Resort 2020 in the season 18/ 19, for Best Ski Resort 2022 in the season 20/ 21, etc.
The total number of ski destinations represented is always 55. Therefore, the inclusion of new destinations automatically leads to the exclusion of those destinations with the lowest satisfaction score. However, they can apply again for the next study, according to the policies.
Should you have any questions, or should you be interested in participating in our study, please do not hesitate to contact us for an appointment.
The Best Ski Resort Awards have established themselves as a special award within our industry. Since 2012, the ski areas with the highest guest satisfaction ratings are being awarded in a festive setting. Next to awards for the top ranked resorts in the overall ranking we also honour outstanding achievements in a total of 20 categories.
You can find more information about the awards here
- Approx. 100 pages as booklet and PDF / A4 print
- Guest structure (age, gender, nation, length of stay, etc.)
- Decision criteria for destination selection
- Satisfaction in 21 categories
- Price-performance ratio
- Recommendation (Net Promoter Score)
- Guest loyalty
- Utilization (fun park, ski school , rent & service, etc.)
- Special questions about new trends
- Overall evaluation, as well as analysis of different target groups (regulars, families, first-time visitors, etc.)
- Approx. 40 pages in ab booklet and PDF / A3 Print
- Positioning compared to the top competitors in 20 criteria (Importance-performance analysis)
- Identification of differentiation potential and unique selling points
- Overall evaluation, as well as analysis of different target groups (regulars, families, first-time visitors, etc.)
- Approx. 20 pages as A3 printouts / PDF
- Brand attributes from the visitors’ perspective
- Overall analysis and breakdown of different
- visitor groups / demographic data (families, first-time
- visitors, age distribution, men / women, etc.)
For many years, we have been using the Premium Report for planning, quality assurance, and control of our services in Zermatt. The report not only enables us to derive our own strengths and weaknesses compared to other ski destinations, but it also lets us recognize important trends for the future.
The study Best Ski Resort supports us in the strategic development of the product Kronplatz. It's crucial to know what customers think about us, as we often lack an objective view from the outside.
The Premium Report allows us to compare the strengths and weaknesses of Val Thornes with our international competitors in more than 20 criteria!
The Performance Monitor records the evolution of the most important selection criteria within Dolomiti Superski since 2012. Thanks to this evaluation, we have been strengthened in the knowledge that the offer must become ever more professional and of higher quality, taking into account the price-performance ratio of the entire value-added chain of tourism.
It would be our pleasure to have a personal, nonbinding conversation to answer your questions and provide an individual offer.
