Ski brothers and ex-Olympic racers Martin and Graham Bell jointly won the Lifetime Achievement award for  Outstanding Contribution to UK Snowsports at the second annual World Snow Awards ceremony in London last night.

The editor of the Telegraph Ski and Snowboard magazine, Henry Druce, acknowledged their  contribution to wintersports in the UK as he presented the award: “Martin and Graham had skiing enthusiasts riveted to their TV screens as they competed on the World Cup Circuit and at the Olympics during the 1980s and 1990s.  they were the most successful British skiers of that time and remain two of the most recognisable names in the industry.”

In recent years, Graham has become a household name, presenting the popular annual BBC television series Ski Sunday, alongside snowboarder Ed Leigh.  We caught up with him recently at a ski show where he gave us some tips on getting fit for skiing. 

Other winners at last night’s World Snow Awards ceremony at Broadway House in Fulham included Keystone (USA) which clinched Most Improved Family Resort; Val Thorens (France) for Most Improved European Resort; and Red Mountain (Canada) which scooped both Most Improved North American resort and Best Upcoming resort.

A full list of winners can be found below.  The majority were decided by a team of eighteen industry as we reported in an earlier story here.  The judges weren’t able to agree on an outright winner for Best Specialist Tour Operator so each received a special acknowledgement: Chez Serre Chevalier; Cold Fusion Chalets; Icicle Mountaineering; Le Ski; Morgan Jupe; Ride and Slide; and Ski 2.

Two awards were decided by public vote: Best UK Mainstream Tour Operator, won by Non Stop Ski and Snowboard; and Best UK Specialist Retailer, won by Snow+Rock.

You can see all the nominations by clicking here.

2013 RESULTS:
RESORTS AWARDS
Most improved European Resort: Val Thorens, France
Most Improved North American Resort: Red Mountain, Canada
Best Upcoming Resort: Red Mountain Resort, Canada
Most Improved Family Resort: Keystone, USA
Environmental Award for Ecological Developments: Avoriaz, France

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING AWARDS
Best clothing manufacturer: Ortovox
Best technological innovation: Black Diamond Z pole
Best Safety Equipment Manufacturer: Ortovox
Best Goggle Manufacturer: Scott

RETAIL AWARDS
Best UK Specialist Retailer (public vote): Snow+Rock

TRAVEL AWARDS
Best Transport Innovation: Swiss; Snow Carbon
Best UK Tour Operator (Mainstream) (public vote): Nonstop Ski and Snowboard
Best UK Tour Operator (Specialist): Chez Serre Chevalier; Cold Fusion Chalets; Icicle Mountaineering; Le Ski; Morgan Jupe; Ride and Slide; Ski 2
Best UK Specialist Travel Agent: SNO
Best Snowsports Insurance Provider: MPI Brokers

HARDWARE AWARDS (judged by experts from Ski and Snowboard magazine)
Best Overall Ski Manufacturer: Salomon
Best Women’s Ski: Volkl Allura
Best Overall Ski: K2Annex 118 Seth
Best Overall Snowboard Manufacturer: Burton
Best Women’s Snowboard: Burton Sweet Tooth
Best Men’s Snowboard: Lib Tech Travis Rice

 

 

 

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