Shopping is not a factor we include on the Powderhounds ski resort ratings, but if we did, we’d give Aspen a big 5 out of 5.
Aspen is paradise for shopper-holics and oniomanics! Sure, a lot of the shopping may require a titanium black Amex card. Alternatively there’s fabulous window shopping, and Aspen also has some shopping for the average punter.
Aspen Ski Shops
Aspen is definitely the place to find a new ski outfit or three. It’s quite amazing how many Aspen ski shops there are!
There are shops that just specialize in ski fashion, some with designer and glamorous clothing. There isn’t haute couture ski clothing, but it's easy to source a reasonably unique outfit. Or if you want Swarovski crystal studded goggles, Aspen is the place where you'll find them!
Other shops are more your traditional ski stores that have clothing, accessories and hardware. Some shops just deal with skis but most double as ski and snowboard shops.
Hamilton Sports (520 East Durant Street) is a small ski shop that specializes in Kastle skis and Kjus, Norrona and Peak Performance ski clothing.
Gorsuch has lots of beautiful ski clothing for men and women from Bogner, Fire and Ice (by Bogner), and Kjus. You could have a lot of fun in this shop! The adjacent Gorsuch ski shop has a range of fat skis for sale, as well as designer helmets, and other accessories. They have a large range of cute beanies, but some of them cost in the order of $400 plus! At those prices, they’d want to stimulate brain cell growth!
Aspen Sports (408 E. Cooper Ave on the pedestrian mall across from Wagner Park) is a huge shop with lots of nice outerwear from diverse brands including Kjus, Nils, Descente, Eider, and Patagonia. They also sell a large range of accessories and hardwear such as fat skis and boots. Aspen Sports also has a medium sized store at the St Regis Hotel and the Grand Hyatt.
The Ute Mountaineer (210 S Galena St) is a large ski shop with an emphasis on backcountry riding. They sell a range of backcountry equipment such as skins, avalanche beacons, probes and backpacks. They sell a range of skis and boots, with more of a leaning towards telemark skiing. If you’re not a backcountry or free heeling dude, you’ll still find lots of good looking technical clothing from brands such as Arc’Teryx, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Millet and The North Face.
Aspen Shopping - General
Beyond the Aspen ski shops, there are also plenty of other shops to taunt the credit card. Aspen has a good collection of designer stores such as Prada and Ralph Lauren, an array of boutiques, and lots of fur shops. If you’re worried about PETA chasing you, you can also buy faux fur outfits. Or if you want to look fabulous without spending a fortune, Aspen has a couple of consignment stores.
Aspen has an amazing amount of jewelry stores and also a large number of art galleries.
As with anywhere, if you want to shop in glamorous shops then dress glamorously, or you may be greeted with the same disdain as Julia Robert’s character in Pretty Woman. Don’t go shopping in your ski boots – they’ll think you’re weird!
Souvenir Shopping
In stark contrast to the glitzy shops, Aspen also has an assortment of down to earth souvenir shops where you can buy a t-shirt, hoodie, cap or an array of other Aspen souvenirs.
Grocery Shopping
City Market Food and Pharmacy is a large supermarket centrally located not far from the gondola (711 E Cooper Ave). There is also a big liquor store next door.
