Ski, Shop, Save and Savour with Zapptax

Ski holidays in the French Alps are as much about pleasure off the slopes as on them. Between the high-altitude air, the crisp snow and the promise of après-ski, France’s resorts deliver a shopping scene that blends iconic alpine fashion with irresistible food and drink.

Whether you’re browsing luxurious labels like Moncler and Aigle, updating your technical wardrobe with Salomon, or selecting long-life delicacies and fine French wines, the mountains are a surprisingly rich retail destination. Enter Zapptax, the app-based tax-refund service that helps travellers reclaim VAT on purchases made in France – making both fashion finds and gourmet treats even more appealing.

The resort of Chamonix, with its dramatic setting beneath Mont Blanc, spreads along Rue du Docteur Paccard and Rue des Moulins, two pedestrianised streets lined with fashion boutiques, specialist outdoor shops and independent retailers. Here you’ll find everything from Moncler and Fusalp to Salomon, Patagonia and Zero G-a blend of performance gear and elevated alpine chic.

But for gourmets, the draw is surely Chamonix’s food shops, pâtisseries and delicatessens, which offer regional goods, chocolates and gourmet staples ideal for taking home. The Saturday market at Place du Mont-Blanc (8am-1pm) is a highlight too, its lively atmosphere making it the perfect spot to browse local produce, charcuterie, cheeses and handmade items before deciding what fits into your suitcase.

Alpe d’Huez offers just as lively an alpine shopping landscape. The resort is divided into neighbourhoods, each with its own mood. Quartier des Jeux is the vibrant town centre, filled with sports boutiques, après-ski fashion and concept stores such as White Shop, where streetwear and casual labels like Carhartt, Vans, Veja and Volcom sit alongside alpine staples. Quartier des Bergers is home to a modern shopping mall with sports stores, convenience shops and delis – perfect for practical purchases or gifts. Meanwhile, Vieil Alpe retains a charming village feel, with smaller boutiques and local stores.

For food and drink lovers, Alpe d’Huez is particularly rewarding. Wine cellars including La Bamboche – Vins Vivants, Le Comptoir de l’Alpe and Vins Marcon offer bottles ranging from Alpine wines to prestigious French appellations. Many also feature natural wines and regional products, allowing visitors to assemble a customised gourmet haul. Sweet and savoury delicacies, artisanal chocolates and other local produce make easy, transportable souvenirs – although travellers from the UK need to be aware of current rules preventing the import of fresh products. Happily, wine, spirits and other non-perishable items are still allowed.

Be a savvy shopper

For anyone returning to the UK, wine allowances are generous: up to 18 litres of still wine, plus additional allowances for sparkling wine and spirits. Travellers heading for the US, Canada or elsewhere in Europe will find similarly accommodating limits.

What truly transforms the alpine shopping experience, however, is the ability to buy tax-free through Zapptax. The system is open to eligible non-EU residents and offers a major advantage over traditional VAT-refund processes: you can combine multiple purchases from different shops (and even
online French purchases delivered locally) as long as your total reaches €100. In a ski resort, where you might buy a pair of Salomon gloves, a Moncler accessory, a bottle from a wine cellar and a selection of gourmet goods, reaching that threshold is remarkably easy.

The process is simple: ask each store for an invoice made out to Zapptax, upload the invoices in the app, and validate the digital tax-free form on departure from the EU – for example via a PABLO kiosk at an airport or border crossing. Zapptax then handles the refund and returns up to 90% of the total VAT on your combined purchases. It works seamlessly for fashion, ski equipment, wine, local products and souvenirs – all the items that help shape the perfect alpine getaway.

So after carving down the slopes, take time to enjoy the other pleasures the mountains offer: browsing boutiques, choosing gifts, sampling regional flavours or selecting memorable bottles. And let Zapptax ensure you make the very most of your time in the Alps – and your budget.

Share and win with Zapptax 

Zapptax also rewards its users through a referral program. For each friend you refer who makes a refund with Zapptax, you will receive a bonus of €20 and your friend will receive a bonus of €5 on their first refund. The more you share, the more you save! 

You know what you have to do, download the app on the App Store or Google Play. 

zapptax.com/en

Looking for more French food and drink content?

In our magazine we offer a whirlwind tour of the best gastronomic destinations. Discover La Belle France’s renowned markets, quirkiest food festivals, most indulgent restaurants and foodie experiences.

Lead photo credit : Photo: AdobeStock