“Private ski resorts are the new private jet. They give luxury travelers a hassle-free, line-free experience, so they can focus more attention on their family and travel partners.”
Bloomberg just did an article about the growing trend among the ultra wealthy to rent out entire ski areas so they can enjoy fresh tracks with zero lift lines because as Aaron Brill, co-owner of Silverton Mountain puts it:
“Fresh powder is one of the rarest commodities in the world.”
Silverton is just one of growing number of private ski clubs to offer entire mountain buy outs. All of the southeastern Colorado ski resort’s 1,819 skiable acres can be yours for $14,000 per day (but you have to share with the 25 “luminaries” loyal patrons who have earned elite status).
On the East coast, Vermont’s Hermitage Club allows members to rent the 194-acre mountain for a day for a cool $60,000. This gets you and your closest 99 friends lift tickets to the resorts 5 chairlifts.
While this type of ski experience is way out of reach for 99.99% of skiers, in the words of someone marketing to the truly rich Silverton Mountain’s Aaron Brill explains:
“Time is irreplaceable.And money? You can earn more.”
HERE IS LIST OF SOME OF THE MOST EXCLUSIVE SKI AREAS IN THE UNITED STATE:
Cimarron Mountain Club, Telluride, Colo.
***you have to email to even access the resort’s website (sheesh)
Peak elevation: 11,460 ft.
Total membership: 15 families
Cost of entry: $3.2 million to buy in, plus $50,000 or more per year
Hermitage Club, Wilmington, Vt.
Peak elevation: 3,200 ft.
Total membership: 800 families
Cost of entry: $85,000 initiation fee, plus $9,500 per year
Holimont Ski Area, Ellicottville, N.Y.
Peak elevation: 2,260 ft.
Total membership: 1,800 families
Cost of entry: $17,000 initiation fee, plus $290 per month
Plymouth Notch, Vt.
Peak elevation: 2,900 ft.
Total membership: 350 families
Cost of entry: $12,500 initiation fee, plus $6,000 per year
silverton mountain, silverton, colo.
Peak elevation: 13,487 ft.
Total membership: 25 “luminaries”
Cost of entry: Buyouts from $14,000 per day
yellowstone club, big sky, mont.
Peak elevation: 9,860 ft.
Total membership: 864 families
Cost of entry: $300,000 initiation fee, plus $39,500 per year
While these may just seem like high altitude billionaire clubs, they are ultimately businesses that don’t have to rely on weather to make money:
“Ultimately, says David Panagrossi, owner of Plymouth Notch, a private Vermont ski club, running a members-only mountain makes financial sense. Sure, the $7.5 billion industry is built around economies of scale—with dining and rentals contributing as much to the bottom line as lift tickets—but snowfall totals are no longer guaranteed. Membership fees are.”
[images from imgur & silvertonmtn instagram]
