Best Ski Resorts for Designer Shopping

The Best Time to Enjoy a Skiing Holiday

Before embarking on your next skiing holiday, we recommend assessing the best time to visit your chosen resort. The weather can impact several aspects of your getaway so it’s important to plan your time accordingly.

December and January are great for those looking for a quiet atmosphere and lots of snow. With colder temperatures and fresh powder, the slopes are often at their best during this time. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to immerse themselves in the skiing on offer.

February often attracts more tourists to many of the favoured ski resorts in Europe, especially during the school holidays. This is perfect for those seeking a lively atmosphere, great snow and lots of things to do. If you’re planning to spend your time enjoying the apres ski during your break, this is a fantastic month to plan your holiday.

Temperatures often start to rise in many of the resorts in Europe in March and April, meaning you’ll find fewer tourists and warmer weather. Although it isn’t the best time for those planning to enjoy fresh snow and an amazing skiing adventure, it does make for a great period for anyone hoping to scour the many shops around the resorts. With crisp blue skies and bright sunshine, there are more than enough opportunities to browse the boutiques throughout the pretty towns and villages during these months.

When you decide to plan a ski break ultimately depends on how you aim to spend your holiday. The changing months have something different to offer an array of travel itineraries, providing something for a variety of visitors.

The Best Ski Resorts in Europe for Shopping

Now you know a little more about the best time to book your next ski holiday, you’re likely looking for where to shop during your stay. We’ve included some of the best resorts below to help you make the most out of your time here. Keep reading to find out more about where to pick up high-end items on your next luxurious ski trip.

Gstaad, Switzerland

Best for - Pedestrianised promenade with luxury boutiques & flagship stores

The pedestrianised promenade in Gstaad, Switzerland is high-fashion central, packed with designer boutiques including Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Hermes and Prada. Bach Sign, reputed to be the best place for fashion in Gstaad, has a stylish selection of Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Tory Burch and more.

In addition to the clothing stores are many luxurious jewellery and watch stores including Graff which has two boutiques in the resort. For local specialities and souvenirs, there are a myriad of options from Molkerei Gstaad, the leading cheese shop in the region, to Pernet Comestibles for exquisite wines, spirits and caviar.

St Moritz, Switzerland

Best For- A shopping mecca with over 150 shops to peruse

From Jimmy Choo and Valentino to Giorgio Armani and Hermes, all of fashion’s big brands can be found in St. Moritz, Switzerland. A stroll along its stylish boulevard will take you past boutiques for Versace, Prada, Bulgari and Louis Vuitton not to mention upscale jewellery and watch stores.

As well as designer goods, there are many local specialities on sale including cheeses and meats from the region. Once you have shopped ‘til you have dropped, revive yourself at Hanselmann‘s with a slice of their legendary Engadin tart.

Megeve, France

Best For - A pedestrianised centre filled with fashion boutiques & jewellers

Filled with trendy brands and luxury skiwear, Megeve is a firm favourite with high-end shoppers. One of the highlights is the Aallard, a store famous for inventing stirrup ski pants in the 1930s. This family-run shop is still the place to go for luxe skiwear and cashmere.

For apres-ski outfits, Blu&Berry stocks Isabel Marant, Carven, Céline among other big labels. For super-cool contemporary furniture and home accessories, Formes et Utopie is the place to go.

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

Best For - Haute couture & a thriving crafts industry

It is no secret that many people come to Cortina without even picking up a ski pole. In their eyes, time is far better spent perusing the many rails of over 250 stores. The Corso Italia (main street) is a top spot for some of the world’s most exclusive brands.

The resort has a great variety of stores selling everything from jewellery, fashion and watches to art, antiques and sporting equipment. There is also a thriving local crafts industry producing furniture, clocks, wooden toys and much more.

Kitzbuhel, Austria

Best For - High-end shopping and hand-crafted souvenirs

Synonymous with old-school glamour, it comes as no surprise that Kitzbuhel is famous for its expensive boutiques. Drop into Schuhhaus Haderer for some exquisite made-to-measure shoes or for leather goods, Hans Frauenschuh will meet your needs.

There are also lots of traditional goods on offer from locally crafted wood carvings and ceramics to time-honoured Austrian dress.

Planning your Ski Holiday

If you’re ready to embark on your next luxury ski holiday, we’re here to help. One of the most important parts of any getaway is ensuring your booking with a trusted agent or operator and after being in the business since 1882, you’re in good hands when choosing Leo Trippi.

We’re a member of the Federation of Swiss Travel Agents, bonded under the Swiss Travel Guarantee and also have TIDS membership with IATA, so you can rest easy knowing your money is well spent when booking with us. Here at Leo Trippi, we also ensure our clients get the best out of their skiing holiday. With an impressive portfolio of luxury chalets available and expert guidance for what to do during your break, we ensure you make the most out of your stay.

Contact the Leo Trippi team today to speak to one of our experts who will help guide you through the whole process, catering to your personal preferences every step of the way.

Summary

With so many incredible shopping opportunities to enjoy, it’s clear to see that skiing holidays extend much further than the slopes. After you have spent your day enjoying the incredible snow sports activities on offer, it’s important to stop off and see all that these impressive towns and villages have in store. Whether you’re looking for local crafts or designer boutiques, you’re sure to find something for all types of shoppers when booking a lavish ski holiday, alongside a ton of other amazing activities and attractions for all types of travellers.