You don’t have to be a fan of winter sports to enjoy a Colorado ski vacation. The mountain towns are a haven for boutiques, specialty shops, and galleries where you’ll find real treasures.

Breckenridge has a welcoming Victorian air and a wide variety of shopping options. Canary in a Clothes Mine specializes in trendy women’s wear, while Milagros of Colorado stocks a variety of unique soaps that make wonderful gifts. Art galleries abound, including the Fox Ridge Gallery (fine art glass), Hibberd McGrath Gallery (contemporary fine crafts), and Art on a Whim (whimsical paintings and prints). If you’re a creative type yourself, check out Tea Time Quilting and Stitchery for quality supplies and a cup of tea while you knit a row or two. Finally, if you need sports wear or gear, check out Great Adventure, where they’ve got you covered whether it’s winter or summer.

Telluride - known as the “jewel box” - is not easily accessible by plane or automobile, and its designation as a National Historic District has helped it retain an old mining town feel. The women’s boutique Two Skirts and the jewelry boutique Dolce Jewels are especially appealing. Telluride is also filled with original art galleries, including Eileen Benjamin Photography, Lustre Gallery (fine art and home collectibles), and Telluride Gallery of Fine Art (the region’s oldest gallery). Zia Sun is an ideal option for choosing souvenirs that the recipients will actually appreciate.

Finally, it shouldn’t surprise anyone, whether they’ve been to Colorado or not, that Aspen is the shopping mecca of ski resort towns. Try Gorsuch Ltd (also found in Avon, Keystone, and Vail) for Euro-inspired winter wear, Brigi Pajamas for leisure and lounge wear, Kemo Sabe for elegant yet authentic Western wear, and Ingrid Antoni for one-of-a-kind jewelry designs. Aspen’s art galleries are also worth checking out, even if you’re just window shopping. Pismo Fine Art Glass (also found in Denver, Beaver Creek, and Vail) and its sister gallery, Sardella Fine Art, are two of the most well-known galleries. And regardless of the season or your chosen sport, drop in to Aspen Outfitting Company at the St. Regis to learn more about the guided hunting and fishing expeditions they provide.

Whether you plan to hit the slopes or not, when you plan your Colorado ski vacation and reserve your Colorado vacation rental home, don’t forget to include time to explore the town and do a little shopping. As you can see from this small sampling, it will be well worth it!

If you’d like to know more about Colorado, visit my City Host page or drop me an email.