[APPI Snow Mountain Resort / ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort] Winners of the World Ski Awards 2026

We are pleased to announce that APPI Snow Mountain Resort and ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort have been honored at the World Ski Awards 2026.
This marks the first-ever double award for a ski resort on Japan’s main island, Honshu.

WORLD SKI AWARDS

Established in 2013 to promote the development of the global ski industry, the London-based “WORLD SKI AWARDS” is the most prestigious program in the international ski tourism sector.
Ski resorts and hotels from around the world enter the awards, with winners selected annually through online voting by media professionals, travel agencies, and the general skiing public.

Award Categories:

“Japan’s Best Ski Resort 2026” — APPI Snow Mountain Resort

https://worldskiawards.com/award/japan-best-ski-resort/2026

“Japan’s Best Ski Hotel 2026” — ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort

https://worldskiawards.com/award/japan-best-ski-hotel/2026

■ APPI Resort’s Award History and Background

With this win, APPI Snow Mountain Resort has been named “Japan’s Best Ski Resort” for the third time, following previous wins in 2022 and 2023.
Additionally, ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort—the first luxury resort in Tohoku—has achieved its long-awaited first win as “Japan’s Best Ski Hotel.” The high praise from skiers and snowboarders both in Japan and abroad has resulted in the historic honor of being the first resort on Honshu to sweep both the Resort and Hotel categories simultaneously.

■ Representative’s Comments on the Awards

We are deeply honored that APPI Snow Mountain Resort has been named ‘Japan’s Best Ski Resort’ and ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort has been named ‘Japan’s Best Ski Hotel’ at the World Ski Awards 2026, the most prestigious awards in the global ski tourism industry.
This double award, a first for Honshu, is a testament to the warm patronage of our guests who love and visit APPI Resort, as well as the immense efforts of our partners who support the resort. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved.
For our staff, who work with passion every day to provide world-class service, this award—alongside our selection as a “Michelin Key” hotel for three consecutive years—is a source of great joy and the ultimate encouragement.
APPI Resort will continue to cherish its ties with the local community above all else while sharing the charms of Iwate and Tohoku with the world.
We remain committed to further excellence, ensuring that all guests from within the prefecture, across Japan, and around the world enjoy the finest, most moving winter resort experience.

Iwate Hotel & Resort
Susanna Wong, CEO

APPI Snow Mountain Resort previously won “Japan’s Best Ski Resort” in 2022 and 2023, making this its third win. With the announcement of a new gondola construction for 2026, the resort aims to evolve into an all-season destination for the next 50 years.

Furthermore, ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort has been selected as a “Michelin Key” hotel for three consecutive years.