World Snow Awards 2012 - And the winners are...

Nov. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- The centrepiece of Ski and Snowboard magazine's 25th anniversary, and part of the annual Ski and Snowboard Show in Earls Court, London, the prestigious celebrations were hosted by actor, comedian and keen snowboarder Marcus Brigstocke. Congratulating the winners, Marcus said: “It’s been a great night here at Earls Court with the industry celebrating these inaugural awards. I hope this becomes an annual fixture in the snowsports calendar as it's important to celebrate excellence in an industry which is so full of energy and promise.”

Launched by VOS Media, the company behind Ski and Snowboard magazine and the Ski and Snowboard Show, the awards were judged by an 18-strong panel of ski and snowboard experts, and by public vote.

Olympic stars Martin and Graham Bell, along with Graham's co-presenter on Ski Sunday Ed Leigh, headed a panel that also included former president of the SIGB Damon Street, editor of Where to Ski & Snowboard Dave Watts, former chief executive of the Ski Club of Great Britain Caroline Stuart Taylor and editor of Ski and Snowboard Henry Druce.

The 2012 World Snow Awards recognise the very best resorts, kit, companies and individuals in a total of 28 categories, as revealed below, with ski and snowboards judged using Ski and Snowboard magazine's extensive results from annual testing weeks.

Nick Miller, Chairman of VOS Media and publisher of Ski and Snowboard says, “The ski and snowboard world is one of the most vibrant and innovative sectors of the travel industry and the World Snow Awards has recognised those who go the extra mile and lead the way for the rest of the industry. We are already looking forward to the awards for 2012/13.”

Winning a World Snow Award is recognised as an independent stamp of approval for a company and its products, singling them out from the competition. VOS Media will now work with all of the winners to gain as much impact as possible from their World Snow Awards win.

And so, without further ado, here are the winners of the 2012 World Snow Awards.

Best European Resort

Livigno, Italy

Best North American Resort

Fernie, Canada

Best family resort

Avoriaz, France

Best upcoming resort

Monterosa Ski, Italy

Best resort for après

Zermatt, Switzerland

Best Clothing manufacturer

Arc'teryx

Best accessory manufacturer

Scott

Best safety kit manufacturer

Mammut

Best sunglasses manufacturer

POC

Best goggles manufacturer

Salomon

Best UK specialist retailer (multiple stores)

Ellis Brigham

Best UK specialist retailer

Ski Bartlett

Best Airline

Swiss

Best airport

Geneva

Best specialist operator

Ski Independence

Best mainstream operator

Crystal

Best Specialist Agent

Ski Solutions

Best Mainstream Wintersports insurer

Direct Travel Insurance

Best Specialist insurer

MPI

Best Snowboard

Jones Mountain Twin

Best Women's Snowboard

Salomon Wonder

Best Overall Snowboard Manufacturer

Burton

Best Ski

Black Crows Nocta

Best Women's ski

Volkl Allura

Best Overall Ski Manufacturer

Volkl

Iconic ski

Salomon X-Scream Series

Iconic snowboard

Lib Tech Skate Banana

Polar Bear – Outstanding Contribution to Snowsports

Arnie Wilson

Ends

Friday, 2 November 2012

Notes to Editors: VOS Media is the UK’s leading consumer exhibition producer. Ski and Snowboard magazine is the UK’s bestselling winter sports magazine. The annual Ski and Snowboard Show at Earls Court is one of the largest winter sports exhibitions in the UK.