Retail in Aspen
Bringing European Style to the Rockies
After leaving his ski racing career behind, Stefan Kaelin wasn’t finished shaping the future of skiing. In fact, his most influential work was still ahead of him. In 1975, Stefan and his wife Stascha moved to Aspen, Colorado, with a shared vision: to create a retail experience that combined European performance with mountain-town sophistication. The result was the founding of Kaelin Enterprises and Kaelin Corporation, Inc., which would go on to become pillars of Aspen’s ski community for decades.
A Store Unlike Any Other
Stefan brought the technical knowledge of a champion racer; Stascha brought a refined sense of fashion and an eye for timeless style. Together, they created Stefan Kaelin’s, a specialty ski store that quickly became known for its curated selection of skiwear, outerwear, and equipment. At a time when most American ski shops focused solely on function, the Kaelins introduced something different: the concept that skiwear could be both technical and elegant.
They traveled regularly to Europe—particularly the ISPO show in Munich—to source brands and styles that were virtually unknown in the U.S. market. It was a bold move that carried risk, but it set the store apart. Over the years, the Aspen shop became known for being ahead of the trend, often introducing customers to cutting-edge ski apparel seasons before it gained traction elsewhere.
Recognition and Growth
Their attention to quality and service didn’t go unnoticed. In 1983, the Kaelins were honored by their peers at Ski Industries of America, receiving the “Ski Retailer of the Year” award. The recognition reflected more than just stylish inventory—it acknowledged the couple’s deep commitment to the ski community, their customers, and the evolving demands of the mountain lifestyle.
Through the late 1970s and into the ’80s, the Kaelins expanded their retail footprint, opening additional locations in Snowmass Village and later, in Newport Beach, California. Each store carried the same Kaelin signature: elevated style, top-tier performance gear, and exceptional customer service. While the coastal location introduced their brand to a new audience, it was the Aspen flagship that remained the heart of their retail story.
Resilience Through Change
In 2008, the global financial crisis hit hard, reshaping the retail landscape. Like many small businesses, the Kaelins were faced with tough decisions. They closed the Newport Beach store and eventually, after over three decades of retail success, the Aspen storefront as well.
But the Kaelins never lost their passion for the sport or for serving fellow skiers. Instead, they chose to evolve with the times—shifting their focus to a streamlined online presence centered around one category that Stefan believes in deeply: visor ski helmets. With decades of experience fitting customers, selecting the best gear, and following trends in helmet safety and design, it was a natural progression.
Today, Stefan Kaelin continues to serve the ski community—not from a storefront on Hyman Avenue, but from a curated digital platform that carries forward the brand’s commitment to excellence.