It’s no secret that hitting the slopes is a pricey endeavor these days – and while it’s still possible to find great deals at some Colorado spots (like at this spot where lift tickets start at $9), that’s not always the case. In terms of affordable options when it comes to skiing and snowboarding, it doesn’t help that most ski hills are located in expensive and exclusive spots – lift ticket or not.

Some resort towns around the Centennial State are considered to be the epitome of luxury, and a recent ranking published by Unofficial Networks sought to determine which mountain towns are the ‘poshest’ of them all.

Of the seven mountain towns to be included on the list, three are located in Colorado.

Ranking 6th of 7 was Telluride, described by Unofficial Networks as ‘The Hidden Billionaire Bunker.’ The publication described the spot as ‘naturally exclusive,’ located in a canyon that’s walled on three side with little room for growth. As a side effect of the limited space, housing in Telluride is extremely expensive. Expect prices at most bars and restaurants to match that cost of living, though a few ‘locals’ favorites’ places can still be found if you know where to look.

The next Colorado spot to be ranked on the list was Vail, coming in 4th. Described by Unofficial Networks as ‘The Original “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it” Resort,’ Vail has a long history of being known as a place of luxury, filled with high-end shops and restaurants that seem to make even the most expensive experiences in Denver seem affordable. Expect to see plenty of tourists in Vail during the winter months that aren’t there to hit the slopes, as well as wealthy tourists that travel from around the world to see what the local internationally-acclaimed ski resort is all about.

Ranking as the ‘most posh’ among all Colorado resort towns was none other than Aspen – but the average Colorado skier could probably have guessed that would be the case. Aspen ended up snagging the 2nd-place spot on the overall list, dubbed ‘The Superlative of Superlatives’ by Unofficial Networks. As stated by the publication, “Aspen isn’t a town. It’s a brand, a very posh brand. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a private-jet parking lot with a ski hill attached.”

With four world-class mountains for skiing and snowboarding in the area along with a long list of acclaimed restaurants, bars, and lodging options, there’s no doubt about it – Aspen is indeed what ‘posh’ looks like, at least when it comes to the world of skiing and snowboarding.

It’s also worth noting that Aspen was the top-rated mountain town on the list that’s home to a public ski resort – key word being public. Anyone can buy a lift ticket and ski at one of the Aspen mountains if their budget allows, but that’s not the case for the top-ranked spot – Yellowstone Club.

Montana’s Yellowstone Club is described by Unofficial Networks as ‘The Final Boss of Ski Exclusivity,’ home to a private ski mountain where the rich and famous can gather if they’re willing to pay an initiation fee that’s rumored to be $400,000 along with annual dues of $40K to $60K – and on top of that, guests also have to own multi-million-dollar property in the area, too, and new members must meet other criteria, as well, that can prevent some people from getting access even if they’ve got the deep pockets to do so. Thus, for the average skier or snowboarder looking to plan a mountain trip, Aspen is as posh as it gets.

While Yellowstone Club is indeed exclusive, there’s a spot in Colorado that’s perhaps even more exclusive than that. Cimarron Mountain Club is a private ski ranch that’s found deep in Gunnison County with access limited to 13 ranch owner families. It doesn’t get much more exclusive than that.

Find the full Unofficial Networks breakdown of ‘posh’ mountain towns here.

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