Published in the Holiday 2017/2018 issue of Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine 

Living in this valley may be luxury for most, but Vail Resorts’ signature clubs serve as high-end portals to Vail and Beaver Creek Mountain with valet parking, and access to slopeside clubhouses in Vail Village, Lionshead, Beaver Creek, and Arrowhead Village. Club amenities include changing rooms, ski lockers, concierge services, complimentary breakfast, fitness centers, daily après-ski, access to private on-mountain dining rooms, and first tracks at Vail and the Beav. Plus a cruiseship-style activities director who can arrange outings from winemaker dinners to heli-skiing trips. Some clubs have waitlists, but for those who have the means, even that doesn’t have to be a barrier: homes for sale in the stratospheric range often include the bonus of a signature club membership. thesignatureclubs.com

Arrabelle Club

With valet parking at the Lionshead-based Arrabelle, private ski lockers and a ski valet at the foot of the Eagle Bahn, the Arrabelle Club couples convenience with luxury. The best part? Après in the great room, followed by a soak in the rooftop pool and jetted spas. Plus, like most clubs, first tracks on the mountain an hour before the lifts start turning. $5,608 in Aannual dues (includes valet parking and two annual ski passes for five years), plus $150,000 deposit.

Arrowhead Alpine Club

With on-mountain dining provided at the club’s private yurt, the Arrowhead Alpine Club cultivates an outdoorsy vibe (those with more expensive tastes ante in an extra $15,000 deposit plus $848 in dues to gain exclusive dining privileges at Zach’s Cabin for lunch, and also at Vail Mountain’s Game Creek). In addition to a slopeside ski concierge and locker rooms, the cozy 20,000-square-foot clubhouse at the base of the Arrowbahn in Arrowhead Village has a fitness center and spa, a lounge for après-ski wine and cheese, and ample opportunities to burn off the calories on daily snowshoe tours with fellow members. $3,024 in annual dues (includes on-mountain dining at the club’s yurt) for residents, plus $40,000 deposit.

Beaver Creek Club

 For property owners in Beaver Creek, the resort’s namesake club is a must. In addition to a ski concierge, Corduroy & Cocoa (a.k.a. first tracks), and all the amenities of a clubhouse at the base of the Centennial lift, members have exclusive winter use of the Beav’s luxe on-mountain fine dining venues (Beano’s and Allie’s Cabins) at lunch as well as spa and fitness privileges at the Allegria Spa at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, and reciprocal dining privileges at Vail’s Game Creek and Zach’s Cabin in Bachelor Gulch. $6,982 in annual dues for Charter membership (includes parking and golf privileges), plus $45,000 deposit.

VAIL MOUNTAIN CLUB: Après on the club’s pool deck is steps—and a world—away from  the Gondola One ski yard. IMAGE: KARL WOLFGANG

When a club uses the Ritz for its clubhouse, that says something. Membership includes access to a private lounge and ski concierge at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, plus exclusive dining at Zach’s Cabin for lunch, and privileges at the hotel’s club and spa. Bonus: two unrestricted ski passes included. $5,471 in annual dues for residents, plus $35,000 deposit.

Game Creek Club

 The Signature Club for the socially-inclined, Game Creek Club has one of the most robust first-tracks programs of any of Vail’s elite clubs, a members-only locker room near Gondola One, and is the only private dining room serving a members-only lunch on Vail Mountain. From Eagle’s Nest, Game Creek’s private “Club Cat” snowcat delivers members to the Swiss chalet-style clubhouse and restaurant overlooking Game Creek Bowl, where a five-star lunch (and après) awaits. Club members also receive discounted rates on stays at the neighboring Game Creek Chalet, Game Creek Club dinners, and meals at  the Beav’s private on-mountain cabins (Allie’s, Beano’s, and Zach’s). $2,497 in annual dues (includes access to private Vail Village locker room and mountain clubhouse), plus $42,000 deposit, and a seasonal minimum $500 food purchase.

Vail Mountain Club

Convenience, luxury, and, of course, location, location, location are the selling points of Vail Mountain’s signature club off the Gondola One ski yard. On powder days, full members leave their cars with a ski valet, gear up in a sprawling locker room, grab a healthy breakfast, and are headed up to Mid-Vail while the rest of the crowd are circling the parking structure for a free space. Poolside après and a hot tub await at the end of the day, with spa and fitness privileges at the Lodge at Vail, plus first dibs on dining at The 10th. $6,932 in annual dues (includes valet parking at the club’s private heated garage), plus $275,000 deposit.