Shopping in Central Mountain Region
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A
Uptown Exchange
A consignment store with some great bargains. Labels are less than glamorous, but it does have everything from affordable denim to stylish shoes to, gulp, fur. There's a decent assortment of dresses too.
reviewed
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B
Four Mountain Sports
One of eight locations in the Aspen-Snowmass area, it does bike rentals in the summer, offering Aspen's best deals on high-performance road and mountain bikes at $56 per day. In winter it does ski and snowboard rentals from its D & E Ski and Snowboard shop at the same location, just steps from Aspen Mountain Gondola. Check its website for details of package prices.
Along with its Aspen location, it also has branches at Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk.
reviewed
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C
Aspen Saturday Market
This market blooms on Saturday mornings. It's more than just a farmers market, though self-caterers can grab their organic fruits and veggies, craftsmen cheese, and naturally and locally grown beef, bison and elk here. It also has tons of crafts, including handmade soap, silver jewelry and fixed-gear bikes built with vintage frames.
The market runs in a U-shape from Hyman to Hopkins on Hunter before turning down both Hyman and Hopkins to Galena.
reviewed
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D
Kemo Sabe
It would be tough to find a more distinctly Western store in all of resort-land Colorado. It specializes in two things: Stetson hats and Lucchese boots. All are handmade. The boots are crafted from hide and leather, and the hats from rabbit, steer and beaver fur.
Staff will shape your hat and even distress it to make it look like you rode hard and worked hard with it. Listen for the country music and enjoy the hospitality.
reviewed
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E
Explore Booksellers
A sweet and intimate local bookshop, the kind that must survive if humanity is to preserve its literate soul. Little alcoves are stacked with biographies, history, adventure and nature tomes and, of course, new and classic literature. Note to readers: there is no gonzo section. We can't help but wonder why. Still, the staff tips are rock solid. By far the best excuse in Aspen to put down the iPad/Kindle and turn a page.
reviewed
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F
Buzz's Ski Shop
In tiny, corporate Vail, a laid-back place like Buzz's feels like a breath of fresh powder. Techs are knowledgable, prices are among the cheapest on the mountain, the equipment is solid, and it's just a few minutes walk to the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Vail Village. They are only open during the winter season.
reviewed
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G
Aspen Sports
With branches in both Aspen and Snowmass Village, this Snowmass location is notable because it does one-way bike rentals from here to Aspen, which is cool if you're looking to ride (mostly) downhill on the Owl Creek Trail, linking up with the Rio Grande Trail via Cemetery Lane. It offers ski and snowboard rental packages too. Big points for customer service.
reviewed
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H
Avalanche Sports
One of several sporting-goods shops in town, they rent comfort bikes (ie cruisers) and full suspension mountain bikes during the summer, and skis and snowboards during the winter ski season from two Main St locations (the other is at 540 South Main St). Winter rental packages are discounted further if you commit to multiple days in advance and book on-line.
reviewed
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I
James Perse
There's no denying the beachy grooviness of James Perse, but $85 T-shirts? That's what you get when you combine rootsy, comfy feel-good California clothing and luxury brand aspirations. The focus is men's retail, and its range of mens cargo pants and flannels are very popular around the fireplace. It also stocks sweaters, T-shirts and jackets for women.
reviewed
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J
Bag and Pack
A small mountaineering shop in Vail Village. It stocks everything you need for a hike or multiple-day trek. Backpacks, stoves, water purifiers, clothing, knives, maps and backcountry guide books. Staff will happily suggest some of the best hikes in the area. There’s a branch in Beaver Creek too. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
reviewed
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K
Double Diamond Ski Shop
A top-shelf ski and snowboard outfitter with over 20 years of operation on the mountain, and set just a short stroll from the Lionshead gondola. Packages are tailored for kids, beginners, high-performance skiers and those interested in trying out the latest demo gear. During the summer it rents full-suspension mountain bikes.
reviewed
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L
Little Bird
This gem of a consignment store has new and vintage luxury designer scarves, dresses, handbags, shoes and more. Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Blahnik – all the handsome boys are here. You can bargain too, and if staff have had the gear for more than 30 days you may strike a deal, but it still won't be cheap. You are in Aspen, after all.
reviewed
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M
Gore Creek Fly Fishermen
This Vail Village fly-fishing shop and outfitter will set you up with new and used gear for rent or purchase. You can also get Gore Creek fishing tips and sign up for half-day and full-day fishing trips on gold-medal waters. Per person guide price drops when you have a group of three or more anglers.
reviewed
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N
Radio Boardshop
On the shortlist for the coolest shop in Aspen, this place does stylish top-shelf skateboards and snowboards, and sells the gear, shoes and boots to match. It's a mom-and-pop store with style to spare. Unfortunately, it doesn't rent snowboards but does rent skateboards at great prices in the summer.
reviewed
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O
Helly Hansen
An international chain selling stylish cold weather gear - and you thought there was no such thing! It's made and cut with high-tech fabrics to keep you warm and hot. This is not your grandpa's Gore-Tex shell. It's built for sailing and skiing, and the women's gear is cut especially well.
reviewed
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P
Gene Taylor's Sporting Goods
This place thinks like this: mountain bikes in summer, ski and snowboards in winter. It's been in business since 1958, so you can count on solid gear and customer service. Based in Snowmass Village, it offers a 25% discount for weekly bike rentals and ski and board rentals when you book online.
reviewed
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Q
Burton
Burton, arguably America's top snowboard brand, has a flagship store in Lionshead where you can get all the gear and boards you'd ever want. Our advice? Consider raiding the summer factory clearance sale in the late summer when you'll get at least 50% off last year's boards and gear.
reviewed
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R
Carvers
A terrific indie bike and ski shop. They have a bit of everything including high-end bikes, boards, skis, boots, camelbacks and disc golf sets (not joking). They do overnight repairs, are just a short walk from the gondola, and offer a better selection than the big conglomerates.
reviewed
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S
Magical Scraps
The girliest shop in Breck, and we mean that in the best way possible. Here are printed fabrics, stuffed toys, tot-sized tees, and dresses and hats for mom and baby. Not to mention funky handbags, scarves and skirts, and luscious handmade soap. All of it set in a sweet Victorian.
reviewed
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T
Pepi Sports
[AQ: Hi there. missing a rating for this one? Please add.]
Another outdoor outfitter and ski-rental chain. You can rent alpine and telemark skis, Salomon snowboards, and all the gear that goes with them. Great service and a central location make this a solid choice.
reviewed
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Arts Alive Gallery
A co-operative art gallery on the Breckenridge main drag featuring local artists and artisans in rotating exhibits, seasonal shows and Second Saturday Breckenridge art walks. They also sponsor a Meet the Artist outdoor art fair in the Riverwalk Plaza.
reviewed
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V
Bahnhof Sport
A large well stocked sport shop with ample clothing and ski gear, as well as ski and board rental suited to every level for when powder blesses the luscious slopes out back. They rent sport, high performance and demo gear.
reviewed
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W
Kemosabe
The sister to Vail's cowboy apparel depot, it does the same handmade boots and Stetson hats – steam shaped to please. Expect friendly faces, a stuffed buffalo head, gleaming belt buckles and a bluegrass soundtrack.
reviewed
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X
Underground
The hippest mountain gear in Breck is found at this apparel and board shop. They sell Burton and Volcom clothing, and Analog and Anon googles, as well as some sick boards, but they don't do rentals.
reviewed
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Y
Big Hit
Laid-back, knowledgeable and owner-operated, Big Hit has all the big names here (Academy, Society, Nitro and Technine boards, Ride boots and bindings, Red helmets) and it sells skateboards too.
reviewed
