The premier annual forum for celebrating new standards of ski tourism excellence, sharing principles of best practice, and for unrivalled peer-to-peer networking has re-signed LEITNER ropeways – one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ropeway systems – as a platinum partner for its fifth annual World Ski Awards.

This year, the event is being staged over the weekend of November 17th-19th at the five star A-ROSA Kitzbühel which sits nestled among the Alps and looks out on the Hahnenkamm and the Streif, two legendary icons of the renowned winter sports town.

As part of the celebrations, the industry leading showcase will partner with LEITNER ropeways for the fourth consecutive year.

The ropeway manufacturer is realising a modern eight seater chairlift in Kitzbühel called Jufen – its 15th installation in the famous skiing destination – to whisk World Ski Awards delegates to the legendary resort’s highest peaks.

The new chairlift will be equipped with the modern LEITNER Premium Chairs with real leather padding and – for the first time worldwide – the new station building created by the Italian car designer Pininfarina.

The project will again be a perfect combination of elegant design, comfort and highest technology.

Sion Rapson, World Ski Awards managing director, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with LEITNER ropeways who share our pursuit of excellence.

“The presence of the LEITNER Jufen chairlift at the fifth annual World Ski Awards is a great demonstration of our unique partnership and the role we play in bringing the ski industry together for amazing shared experiences.”

The World Ski Awards programme has categories for the Best Ski Resort, Best Ski Hotel, Best Ski Boutique Hotel and Best Ski Chalet for the world’s premier ski tourism nations.

The individual country level winner with the most overall votes will not only win the national award but also the world level award in the respective category.

“LEITNER ropeways has been a partner of World Ski Awards since 2014, which has provided an excellent opportunity for the company to highlight its leading role in international ski tourism.

“An intensive exchange of ideas with innovative and successful ski tourism companies is essential for us,” said Martin Leitner, vice president of the LEITNER Group.

Take a look at the full list of finalists for the 2017 World Ski Awards here.