Whenever I ask someone who lives near the mountains why they’ve never skied before, their answer always seems to be related to the price. Unfortunately, it seems pretty clear that ski resorts and ski companies don’t really have a problem with that trend.
ASPENX, a “new premium retail and experiential concept inspired by the performance and possibility of an iconic destination”, according to their Instagram, has announced a new sort of mountain side experience, a high altitude beach. Now plenty of mountains already have what they call a “beach”, like Arapahoe Basin’s front row of parking, but very few include a live DJ, and likely none allow access bottle service and snacks while sitting in a cabana.
The “experience” runs from February 18th to March 27th, though only on the weekends. The cheapest option is the chaise lounge, which costs as low as $300 per person. It gives access to a lounge chair, bottle service, and paired courses. The most expensive option costs $4,800 per person, and gives access to a six-person cabana. If the most expensive option is chosen, it includes Dom Pérignon or Chateau D’Escalan Garrus for the bottle service, as well as the previously mentioned paired courses.
This stuff is so wild, and it honestly drives me a bit nuts. Taking up space on the mountain so someone can pay $4,800 only to drink and eat instead of skiing is bizarre and, in my opinion, totally against the attitude skiers should have.