Life Beyond Business
Adventure, Family, and the Kaelin Lifestyle
Stefan Kaelin’s professional accomplishments are well documented—Olympian, retailer, innovator. But behind the legacy lies a man deeply connected to nature, movement, and family. Whether carving down a slope, trimming a sail in the Virgin Islands, or piloting through Colorado’s skies, Stefan’s passion for living fully has never faded.
Snowboarder at Heart
Though he built his name on skis, Stefan discovered a new love later in life: snowboarding. What started as a curiosity quickly became a habit. After just one day on a board, he was hooked. Today, he's as likely to be found shredding Tiehack on a snowboard as skiing Aspen’s back bowls.
This ability to embrace new experiences—without ever losing the foundation of his expertise—reflects Stefan’s lifelong openness to growth. It’s a mindset that helped him stay relevant across decades of change in the ski world and beyond.
Water, Wind & Sun
When the snow melts and summer sets in, Stefan trades his skis for sails. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he owns a home, he races Hobie Cat sailboats, embracing the same competitive edge that once drove him on Olympic slopes. For Stefan, sailing is both exhilarating and meditative—a reminder that freedom and focus go hand in hand.
Golf also plays a prominent role in his seasonal rhythm. Whether on lush European fairways or the wide-open courses of the American West, Stefan enjoys the precision, patience, and camaraderie of the game. It’s a slower pace than slalom—but with its own demands for mastery.
Back in Colorado, Stefan fuels his love for adventure by mountain biking the ridgelines and valleys around Aspen, often choosing the rugged over the routine.
Wings Above the Mountains
Perhaps nothing encapsulates Stefan’s blend of freedom, focus, and ambition more than his time as a pilot. For years, he flew a Beechcraft Bonanza A-36 TC, a sleek, high-performance aircraft with room for the entire family. Whether soaring to business meetings or spontaneous weekend getaways, flying offered Stefan a different kind of elevation—one where independence and control met the open sky.
Family Always Comes First
Through it all, Stefan’s most enduring passion has been his family. He and his wife Stascha have built both a business and a life together, raising two children, Nadja and Sandro, in the heart of Aspen. The kids grew up on the slopes, surrounded by the rhythms of the ski industry and the spirit of adventure their parents embodied.
Today, Nadja has her own children—making Stefan a grandfather. She continues to contribute to the Kaelin brand, carrying forward the family legacy of excellence, style, and mountain living.