Avoriaz has won a World Snow Award in the category ‘Best Family Resort’ at the Ski & Snowboard Show in London.  The other resorts up for ‘Best Family Resort’ were Ski Welt in Austria; La Tania in France; Big White in Canada and Smuggler’s Notch in the USA.

It was the first time that the World Snow Awards awards have been presented.  The winners were announced last Friday evening at the end of the Ski & Snowboard Show.

The awards were presented by actor, comedian and keen snowboarder, Marcus Brigstocke who commented: “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.”

The awards were judged by a public vote and also an 18-strong panel of ski and snowboard experts, including Olympic stars Martin and Graham Bell, and Graham’s co-presenter on BBC’s Ski Sunday, Ed Leigh.

The 2012 World Snow Awards recognise the very best resorts, kit, companies and individuals in a total of 28 categories.  As Nick Miller, Chairman of VOS Media (the sponsor of the awards) and publisher of Ski and Snowboard, remarked: “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.”

Here are the results for the other categories:

Best European Resort: Livigno, Italy
Best North American Resort: Fernie, Canada
Best upcoming resort: Monterosa Ski, Italy
Best resort for après ski: 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
The first Polar Bear award for Outstanding Contribution to Snowsports was awarded to legendary ski journalist, Arnie Wilson.