We've all done it — purchased little trinkets containing the names of places visited on our travels.
The word "souvenir" is fast disappearing from our vocabulary. In its place is "memento," a lasting treasure that, without question, only could have been purchased at a particular resort. Mementos speak volumes about the resorts they represent. Status symbols, if you will, that let you remember a special time and place, and let the world know how much that place meant to you.
Your memento could be a fringed western jacket from Aspen, a piece of art selected during a lazy afternoon in Breckenridge, or a signature item of jewelry, which you covet and wear proudly.
Bears and Beavers
The memento that has become The Symbol of the Vail Valley® is The Golden Bear™. How this tiny icon could have wrapped itself around the hearts of valley residents and visitors is nothing short of amazing.
When you see a woman wearing a gold bear pendant around her neck, there is no question where her bear was born. So, too, if you see a gentleman take bills from a silver money clip adorned with a small gold bear, you'll know he's been to the Vail Valley.
There's even a papa, mama and baby-size bear. Tiny baby is just 1/2" by 1/4" in 14-karat gold with a 17" chain, and costs $275 (It was fashioned originally for the designer's daughter). Papa, hanging on his 34" chain, is a big guy at 1 5/16" by 9/16", costing $1,400. Mama's size at 7/8" by 3/8" with a 28" chain, seems to be just right, and sells for $465. There's also a sterling silver bear pendant for $135.
Founder Lee Kirch is delighted that The Golden Bear™ has become a tradition in the Vail Valley. The bears are produced using the ancient process of lost-wax casting, wherein molten metal is poured into a mold. Yellow and white 14K and 18K gold, sterling silver, and platinum are used to make pieces in The Golden Bear™. Pave diamonds are used to fashion the Millennium collection. Additionally, there's a host of accent jewelry, gifts and decorative pieces for your home.
The Golden Bear™ resides in Vail (970) 476-4082, and Beaver Creek (970) 845-7881, or visit them online at www.thegoldenbear.com.
The Golden Beaver, on the plaza in Beaver Creek Resort, fashions this resort’s namesake into spectacular jewelry and gifts. The beaver’s large tail lends itself to the most creative designs by Vino Anthony, who for the last 16 years has presented this industrious resort icon in an array of amazing pieces.
There are 14K and 18K golden beavers with diamond tails, a platinum beaver with a diamond body and an emerald eye, or an all-golden beaver. The beaver pendants, from 3/4" to 1 1/2", are sold without chains, and priced from $150 to $8,000.
Because many guests in Beaver Creek Resort are here on their second or third visits, and because they've fallen in love with the jeweled beaver namesake, Anthony offers a trade-up policy. If you wish to upgrade a purchase made during a previous visit, The Golden Beaver will take the item you originally bought at full value toward your next purchase.
Other golden animals that grace The Golden Beaver's showcases are elk, moose, buffalo, sharks, and dolphins. The shop also features jewelry and cufflinks for men, shirts for women with an outline of the beaver traced in gold, and crystal and glassware. In addition, The Golden Beaver presents a limited edition of its gold American flag fashioned in the shape of a heart; its stars and flagpole are diamonds.
The Golden Beaver is a registered trademark of Vino Anthony, Inc. You may contact the shop at (970) 949-1085, or visit them online at www.goldenbeaver.com.
Golden Landscapes Aspen has no equal. Period. Its natural beauty is unparalleled. Quaking aspen trees at every turn, the nation's most photographed mountain vista is just around the bend.
The Ten Mile Mountain Range stretches from Frisco to Breckenridge, with its high summits spaced about a mile apart. Peaks 8, 9, and 10 form the backdrop for the delightful, historic town of Breckenridge. At J & M Jewelry, owners Judy Pollock and Mark Behling showcase the designs of Scott Hilty and Bill Cronin, which convey the essence of Breckenridge. One of the more popular mementos is the Ten Mile mountain ring, focusing on peaks 8, 9, and 10. Many residents and visitors have purchased this for a wedding ring, at $650. There's also a pendant with the three peaks, ski runs and trees for $375, and a bracelet depicting the entire range for $1,900, which, because of its weight, is recommended for men. Another of Hilty's designs is a pendant showing three of Breckenridge's Victorian buildings and a lamppost. To reach J & M Jewelry, call (970) 453-5637
Beyond jewelry Western wear is also sought out with all its fringed fanfare. In Aspen, Footloose and Fancy Things offers handmade belts, buckles, purses, turquoise jewelry, wallets, leather coats and vests, as well as custom made moccasins. They can be reached at (970) 925-9155.
Gorsuch, with stores in Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek and Aspen, feature the finest quality mountain contemporary wear, gifts and home furnishings. The Gorsuch family, headed by Dave and Renie Gorsuch, 1960 Olympic skiers, take pride in presenting the most impeccable, classic styling, quality and taste in the mountain communities. Their fashion collections, many imported from Europe, transcend the seasons. Call 1-800-525-9808, or visit them online at www.gorsuchltd.com.
With so much attention directed to airport security and the luggage carried by travelers, The Aspen Luggage Company, a town landmark, has observed a trend: its customers are choosing the rolling duffel bag in strong Ballistic nylon, a pricey purchase, but a durable value for the times. The Aspen Luggage Company can be reached at (970) 925-9368.
“Your choice may not have anything to do with your preferred resort, but if it conjures indelible remembrances of your Colorado stay, your memento will be treasured forever.”
When you're on vacation, you may not think about purchasing art, but there's something about the relaxed nature of browsing through an art gallery and choosing an image that conveys the memory of your trip. Your choice may not have anything to do with your preferred resort, but if it conjures indelible remembrances of your Colorado stay, your memento will be treasured forever. Find collections in the numerous galleries in Keystone, Breckenridge, Frisco, Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon and Aspen/Snowmass.
The key to choosing a memento of your trip is purely personal; it seems to revolve upon that which touches your soul.
Lillian Ross writes regular travel columns for the Denver Rocky Mountain News, edits Colorado travel planners, and writes articles for Colorado-based feature magazines, including Vail Valley Golf.
Shopping Adventures in the Colorado Rockies
There are 14K and 18K golden beavers with diamond tails, a platinum beaver with a diamond body and an emerald eye, or an all-golden beaver. The beaver pendants, from 3/4" to 1 1/2", are sold without chains, and priced from $150 to $8,000.