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Shopping

When not on the slopes, Aspen is an eye-popping display of conspicuous consumption. Indeed, window shopping (like people-watching) is a prime spectator sport – no, make that an Olympic event. Even pets here dress better than most urban professionals (cashmere dog sweater or diamond kitty collar, anyone?). The art scene is almost as varied as the skiing, from traditional Western-style landscapes and photography to edgier multi-media visions (if you have a car and the time, check out the up-and-coming regional artists showcased downvalley, in Basalt and Carbondale).

For the highest-end shopping, hit Galena Street and head north to Hopkins Avenue – they're Aspen's answers to Madison and Fifth avenues. Everyone makes a pilgrimage to the Prada Store (312 S. Galena St., 970/925-7001), where the likes of Kate Hudson, Mariah Carey, and Kevin Costner shop for Bond-flick black ski wear and red-fox-fur sleeping bags. You can actually get by with a gold card at Distractions (465 E. Hopkins Ave.; 970/544-9946), which carries vintage Pucci and Balenciaga; young hipsters like Narciso Rodriguez, Alexander McQueen and Zac Posen; and belts fashioned from saddle parts. Anyone shopping for designer denim and leather anything heads to Pitkin County Dry Goods (520 E. Cooper Ave.; 970/925-1681), though Kemo Sabe (434 E. Cooper Ave.; 970/925-7878) puts the swank swagger in Western duds like Stetsons and Lucchesi boots. Manrico Cashmere (447 E. Cooper Ave.; 970/544-5494) offers to-die-for coats and cardigans (not to mention an upstairs restaurant that redefines Roman decadence – savor foie gras with truffle ice cream on Italian cashmere chairs). But you can really strike gold at such secondhand stores as Susie's Limited Consignments (623 E. Hopkins Ave.; 970/920-2376), which devotes an entire section to cashmere (plus overstocked items in fab faux fur, white down, or mauve suede).

While Santa Fe, Taos, and other cultural towns might disagree, some call the Baldwin Gallery (209 S. Galena St.; 970/920-9797) the best art outpost between SoHo and West Hollywood; Baldwin Modern specializes in Deco and Nouveau furnishings and accessories, while the main gallery hangs contemporary art superstars (think Bleckner, Christo, Fischl, Rosenquist) as well as iconic images from the likes of Mapplethorpe (who receives a retrospective in February 2006). Galerie Maximillian (602 E. Cooper Ave.; 970/925-6100) leans more toward established collectibles; holdings are especially strong in early- to mid 20^th-century masters from Matisse to Miró.

See Aspen Travel Guide