Best Ski Resorts for Designer Shopping
Shop 'til you drop in these top ski resorts filled with the best boutiques and designer goods.
Designer shopping is normally associated with the likes of Paris, Milan and New York. However, you might be surprised to learn that nestled amongst the snow-capped peaks lie many of the world’s top luxury boutiques. Eager to capitalise on the glamorous visitors who arrive in their flocks during the winter season, ski resorts have a wide variety of shops to peruse, including big designer brands. So if you consider shopping an activity in itself, then brace yourself for hours of fun in the following resorts which are as synonymous with shopping as they are skiing.
Gstaad - pedestrianised promenade with luxury boutiques & flagship stores
Stay in Gstaad
The pedestrianised promenade in Gstaad is high-fashion central, packed with designer boutiques including Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Hermes and Prada.
In addition to the clothing stores are many luxurious jewellery stores including Graff which has two boutiques in the resort. Austrian jeweller Aenea hosts a four-day jewellery exhibition here each year, with pieces ranging from a €590 gold eternity ring to a 7.41ct old-cut diamond priced at around $500,000. Bach Sign, reputed to be the best place for fashion in Gstaad, has a stylish selection of Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Tory Burch and more.
St Moritz - a shopping mecca with over 150 shops to peruse
Stay in St Moritz
From Jimmy Choo and Valentino to Giorgio Armani and Hermes, all of fashion’s big brands can be found in St. Moritz. 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 - pedestrianised centre filled with fashion boutiques & jewellers
Stay in Megeve
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 - haute couture & a thriving crafts industry
Stay in Cortina d'Ampezzo
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 - where high-end meets hand-crafted
Stay in Kitzbuhel
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.
Enjoy a spot of designer shopping and more from one of our luxury chalets.
